Couples arguing in front of au pair/nanny

[deliakate]

Has anyone experience of this. We have a new au pair, and she keeps sitting downstairs with us in the evening - we have two sitting rooms, but the one we use is warmer, so she is in with us. It is just until we sort out the wifi connection in her room, all she wants to do is use the internet, not chat with us at all. But DH and I keep having little bickering rows - tonight there was one, and she was present. It must be horrible for her...... but DH and I need time!

I was an au-pair and I made myself scarce if there was ever an argument brewing between the parents of the family I worked for - when I could - there was one time I was stuck in the car with them when they had a blazing row - it was awful.

Does she look bothered? You can't send her away, and you should be pleased she feels comfortable to sit with you. Once she gets to know other people she'll be off out in the evenings I presume.

Why don't you and DH go out for an evening now that she's here?

You really need to sort out the wifi and heat the other room - or go somewhere else to argue!

After 11 years working in family homes as a nanny/maternity nurse the worst thing is to have the parents arguing in front of you.

I always feel trapped - if I get up to leave then its like a deep breath from the parents while I leave the room and then back to the arguing or its stay and listen to it. Neither is a nice feeling.

If you've chosen to have someone living in your house then PLEASE take your bickering to your bedroom until she has wireless in her room. It is not fair for her to listen to it.

After so many years I now spend most evenings (probably 95%) in my bedroom on the internet, I just don't want to be involved or have to hear about bickering (or also that uncomfortable feeling when the parents are feeling frisky).

Sort out wifi or heat other room and you and dh go in their to squabble