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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Advice for an au pair.

114 replies

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 13:55

Hi mumsnet, i've been on so many websites seeking advice but alot of it isn't very useful and some can be quite mean. someone recommended this site to me before and i hope i can get some help. I am not a mum, but i am au pair living abroad and i would be so greatful for your help. I have been here for almost 2 months, when i came here everything was perfect but now things are starting to go a bit downhill and it doesn't seem so peachy. i dont know what to do or whether im overreacting.

The thing is i feel very uncomfortable around the dad. When his wife goes out he often asks me round to keep him company, to drink wine or to watch a movie. I went once and he was a bit strange with me, asking how things were with my boyfriend etc. and i have made a point of not going there alone since. He asks if i will go on a solo trip alone with him to Berlin, Which strangely enough his wife supports him with! When i got here i agreed to it, as i had said how much iwanted to go to berlin, and first thought that he was being friendly but now i wonder if there is an ulterior motive. His wife knows about this trip and him asking me round. i said i will be happy going to berlin alone, as i quite a confident, independant person, but he insists on going with me as he knows where to go etc....i dont know if his wife knows about all his invitations. He often sends me emails or skypes me when he goes away, asking questions sometimes to do with the children but sometimes just general chat. i try not to give him much cut, but as i said before sometimes you dont want to come across as unfriendly. The other day i had lotion on my shoulder and he was like, oh here let me get it for you, and rubbed it in! He gets emails when i update my facebook with anything and puts little things on his fb in english now, when he doesn't speak that language and neither do any of his friends. He also insisted on walking me back to my flat one evening i'd been out, and just stood at the door staring at me. i literally live a second away from their flat and wouldn't have needed to be accompanied back. he never does this when his wife is there. I generally feel uncomfortable and feel like he always wants to talk to me and be near me. He looks at me alot, and i dont know if his wife is oblivious to this or aware of it, either way she doesn't say or do anything, or doesn't see it as a problem. And the other day he told me i was being 'bitchy' and acted wrongly after he and his wife tried to persuade me to let a 17 year old boy stay in my flat who is going to be working with them. I don't think this is very acceptable as i wouldn't stay with a stranger back home, so i wouldn't do it here. I also thought it was rude the way he talked to me saying that. They had mentioned this man staying to me three times, even though i told them blatantly that i did not agree with it the first time. I felt a bit pressurised the third time they asked and he said that because i got upset, that i reacted badly and was 'bitching'. I am in my early twenties, and he is only 5 years older than me. I just want to go home now, but i dont know if im possibly over reacting or what? is this normal behaviour? Is he just being overley friendly? I wanted advice on this site as i know you will be honest with me. If it isn't right, how should i leave. should i give notice, or just go? please help!

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ImperialBlether · 09/06/2012 17:58

I would leave a note saying you are going and I'd get on the next plane. Get your mum or boyfriend to call when you've arrived home to tell the wife why you had to leave so suddenly.

Do you have free time in the day when you could leave or are you always taking care of the children?

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 18:00

I'm usually always with them through the day at the moment, if not then she or he are at home. i get a friday afternoon off usualy but it isn't guaranteed. I'd be better leaving at the weekend as i'm always off then and there are flights going back to where i live!

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ImperialBlether · 09/06/2012 18:03

So is there a flight tomorrow? How much luggage do you have? Will they see if you leave the flat with bags?

What will happen to the children if you left so suddenly?

longjane · 09/06/2012 18:05

well it is weekend now
so pack your bags and go

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 18:11

I think i will have to wait for next week to get a flight, i can't leave today as it's too late and they will probably be home all day tomorrow. I have a suitcase and a bag. and i have to leave through a joint courtyard so it could be difficult, but i will think it through and see if i can put my bags somewhere the day before and then pick them up.

That is the only thing that is bothering me, i don't want to leave the mother in the lurch completely in regards to childcare, she runs her own business so its possible for her to close until she finds someone new to look after them. BUT i still feel awful as it will affect her other employees etc.

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Frakiosaurus · 09/06/2012 18:17

They cannot stop you leaving, particularly if you have a taxi waiting for you

If you feel very unsafe you have to leave and put yourself ahead of the family.

iluvkids · 09/06/2012 18:21

book a flight and leave tomorrow

book a taxi from there to the airport...

get your family to meet you off the plane / at airport...

are you in the eu / where are u?

blueshoes · 09/06/2012 18:23

I am trying to think whether the wife would (should) know about her husband's behaviour. Are you their first aupair? I would think the husband would have tried it on with your predecessors and this could not be the first time.

If she condones it, then shame on her to allow her husband to prey on young vulnerable girls away from home. I would be fine to leave her in the lurch in that situation.

The wide trying to persuade you to let a 17 year boy stay in your flat is also outrageous. They don't seem to respect boundaries.

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 18:42

Yeah to be honest, i think if i told her she wouldn't see any of it as being such a big deal. She seemed to support the idea of us going away on a trip together completely alone without the kids! And was happy that i would go round there on my own to drink wine with him whilst she went out!? I couldn't understand that. I think if i told her what was going on, she'd accuse me of over exaggerating or looking too much in to things. and then i'd just end up looking ridiculous and feeling worse. thats what i worry about, that i'm maybe looking too much in to it all. But i think everything goes beyond a healthy/normal hostdad/aup pair relationship. I know it is ok to be friendly and welcoming and to include the au pair etc, but i feel like its going a bit further than that. and that it isn't right.

Yeah i wasn't sure with the flat thing either, whether i was making a big deal. She said the other au pair who was going to come before me was completely fine with the idea. they decided that he could stay in there house, and after they said that they expected me to be completely happy again, after they'd just tried to pressurise me for the third time!

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Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 18:43

I am their first au pair btw.

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HecateTrivia · 09/06/2012 19:01

Yes, you really just need to get the hell away as soon as possible. It's not a good situation to be in.

I wouldn't be giving notice either, in case they got nasty.

SoldeInvierno · 09/06/2012 19:12

Lucy, you need to think about yourself and your safety. If you can get a ticket for tomorrow, pack your stuff and leave tonight while they are sleeping. You can wait at the airport for a few hours and be home tomorrow.

If you cannot get a flight for tomorrow, book one for as soon as you can. Leave the flat the night before the flight and stay with a friend or the airport.

If the lady is facilitating her husband preying on you, she's as bad as he is.

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 19:18

Thank you lots ladies for the advice. i'm really now considering the flights next week, which will be for the best. i will maybe just say im going to the city shopping on a day she is off work and just not come back. I am just worrying that i'm seeing it in the wrong light, and he is just being really friendly with me. As i mentioned im a very chatty person, and quite confident. I worry incase he has picked up on this and just thinks it is best to be so forward with me?? I have went out on bike runs with him a couple of times and now i worry that he thinks this is because i like him or something, when it really really isn't! or he just see's me as a friend he can hang around with because his wife isn't very invovled with him. What do you think?

I'm sorry for being such a pest on here btw. i just want to do the right thing.

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SoldeInvierno · 09/06/2012 19:24

Lucy, don't blame yourself and don't find excuses for him. A man, (a father! ), should know his place and keep the relationship with the aupair strictly professional. He should be seeing you as an older daughter and nothing else. For respect to his wife and respect to you.

Unfortunately some men, no matter how old they are, always think that young girls fancy them.

Your idea of leaving next week is good. Don't delay it.

SoldeInvierno · 09/06/2012 19:26

When you are home and safe, you can always start again and find a nice family. You don't need to mention this one to anyone. You've only been with them for a short time, so just pretend it didn't happen.

ImperialBlether · 09/06/2012 19:50

Don't forget that she may worry if you just don't come back, so make sure you do tell her so that she doesn't panic.

blueshoes · 09/06/2012 19:58

How weird for them to ask you to go on hols with them alone. Maybe they are swingers or have strange open marriage . It would be best to get out of there.

nutellaontoast · 09/06/2012 20:01

He's trying it on with you (and from a postion of relative power too Angry), and they're taking the piss by making you work TWICE the contracted hours. You have already done more than enough, you don't deserve to be treated like this, you will find another position and they'll find alternative childcare. Remember, their children are ultimately their responsability not yours, and it's they who have overstepped the boundary thus losing their help.

This sort of thing is fairly common unfortunately, the only solution is to get out asap. You'll feel relieved when you do Smile.

Sarcalogos · 09/06/2012 21:43

Lucy there is something about this that makes me worry. Please leave this weekend, just go. Take your passport and your favourite things and go to the airport/a hotel and then home as soon as possible. The alternative is too horrible to think about. This could be over as soon as you leave.

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 22:05

Hi guys. thanks again for all the advice. I will keep you up to date with everything, please don't worry. I have really good intuition and i will let you all know exactly what happens.

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QuintessentialShadows · 09/06/2012 22:07

I am really worried that you seem to put your responsibility to them above your responsibility to keep yourself safe.

They are already manipulative and controlling.

They have you work more than your contracted hours.
They are monopolizing your spare time, even you trip away to explore another city.
They want you to have a stranger living with you. They become abusive when you dont comply.
They can keep an eye on your comings and goings through the court yard.
You are worried about leaving.
You are worried what they may think.

You are a commodity!

They seem to have a very unnatural "hold" on you.

I see so many red flags here.

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 22:27

I'm quite a dutiful person i suppose and i hate the thought of letting people down, especially because i really do adore the kids and at times they can be really so nice to me, especially the wife. So in my head im thinking, am i imagining this, is it as bad? however even tonight when i went round for supper, he is trying to persuade me to go out with him and his sister in the city for drinks, and when i say no, he's like, oh nooo you have to come! i don't know the big deal as to why i've got to be there. and then they arrange that me and him go alone to a skiing competition in the town next to theirs next saturday!! i said, yeah with the kids aswell and they both are like, nooo, probably no kids, the kids will just get bored. just you and Hostdad!!???? it was the mum who said this though. i dunno if this is just cause they think i might be lonely? but i've said a million times i like my own space and like doing things on my own, so its not like im crying out for company.

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QuintessentialShadows · 09/06/2012 22:43

Arent they letting you down by taking advantage of your good nature?

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 22:49

It's quite difficult in regards to my hours, as i knew i would be committed to the family for a bit more than 20 hours, but not as much as 40, or above. The law in this country states that i can't work anymore than 20. I didn't realise this until before i came, silly i know. But i'm not getting paid what i should be getting paid for that hours at all. for 20 hours a week you should get paid a minimum of 380 euros a month, but i do around 40 say, which will be more probably next month, and i get paid 500 euros a month. At the same time i don't mind working so much, if it's just me and the kids it's fine. i love being around them. But not when he is at home lingering about.

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Sarcalogos · 09/06/2012 23:16

Please go before next weekend.

What's in this for you? Even if he turns out to be a bit socially inept and not actually a threat, you don't have to hang around and find out. You are a free agent, you only have to please you.

For what it's worth, i think you would be safer elsewhere. And I think you know that- or you wouldn't have been worried enough to start this tread. Put yourself first, you've got everything to gain.