Is it normal for an au pair to go to bed and sleep when on babysitting duties?

[MGMidget]

Just wondered what you think about this? Our new au pair is in a room that is a long way from our DS's room. I don't think she would hear him crying when she was asleep. After she babysat the first time and had clearly gone to bed when we returned at 10pm I had a word. I made it clear I didn't want her to go to sleep when babysitting and explained why, giving examples of what could happen (eg DS recently had a bad vomiting bug when last au pair was babysitting. Goodness knows what would have happened if our previous au pair hadn't been awake to deal with it and call us to come home immediately! Also DS suffers from asthma and croup sometimes and the attacks happen at night.). Au pair seemed happy to stay awake and explained she just didn't know what was expected and now she did. All seemed fine and she did her second night's babysitting tonight. We got home at about 11.15 and realised she had gone to bed again. Now I am really concerned. Should I be or am I the only one who thinks she should be awake and listening out for DS when babysitting?

Is this a pfb? Midget

As all others have said then get a monitor - which you are going to try

Easiest solution is for the monitor to be plugged in the hall and left in her doorway - when you come home simply remove and place in your room or turn off - as you said you don't need one as sleep next door and would wake as you are mum - and then shut ap door so she isn't disturbed

Yes if you asked her to not sleep I can understand why you are annoyed but tbh your ap should be allowed to go to bed if 11pm

I would honestly expect a 3 year old to be able to find their way to the adult in charge if they were ill in the night with a vomitting bug or similar. My dd2 would be straight to me & dh/nanny/overnight babysitter.

She might I suppose get a bit confused about who she needed to find & which room they'd be in, if she were half asleep & poorly, but frankly it'd need to be an enormous house before the overnight person didn't hear her!

Asthma might be a little more of a worry, but the baby monitor suggestion should sort that.

As all others have said then get a monitor - which you are going to try

Easiest solution is for the monitor to be plugged in the hall and left in her doorway - when you come home simply remove and place in your room or turn off - as you said you don't need one as sleep next door and would wake as you are mum - and then shut ap door so she isn't disturbed

Yes if you asked her to not sleep I can understand why you are annoyed but tbh your ap should be allowed to go to bed if 11pm