How much money should we give our au pair?

[Arrtttiiieee]

We have an au pair who normally works 22 hous a week and gets £85 cash (plus normal other stuff).

Last week was half term and my husband was away, I was home but then our youngest was taken to hospital and for three days & nights the AP had to look after my older two without any help at all. Given her lack of experience she did an incredible job and her attitude was amazing. I kept phoning full of apologies and ideas to give her a break but she would have none of it and kept saying she was fine and just worried about the baby and didn't need a break as she wanted to help.

I now want to reward her for her help but have no idea what to give. What do people think?

Instead of money, what about s gift/hamper basket?

What are some if their favourite things?

Could you find some goods from their home country and also place them in there?

No, I think she needs to be paid.

I wouldn't give just a hamper. She will appreciate cash much more and she deserves to be properly paid for the extra work she has done.

I think she did an amazing job. I would give her between £100-£150 cash (which is still nothing compared to what emergency childcare would have cost) and then some nice little presents from the children - maybe some nice chocolate and some nice bubble bath/body lotion and a nice wooly scarf if she doesn't have anything like that yet. If yiu get that all in John Lewis she can take it back easily if she doesn't like any of it.

I would also ensure that she had some time off to recuperate!

Glad the baby is feeling better

You would look at either side of £200 per night for in a qualified in loco parentis childcare depending where you are. I'd pay at least a third.

Cash and Topshop voucher.

Yes, don't be mean. Show your gratitude properly.

Thanks. I was thinking around £150-£200. She did do an amazing job especially given she's only a teenager and I'd asked her to very little sole care before. I even returned to a very tidy house as she thought it would be sad for me to come home to mess.

I like the idea of little pressies from the kids too. I know she needs more warm clothes so that is a good plan.

What about £150 cash, a scarf and gloves from the kids and I offer to buy her a ticket to accompany us to the stage version of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory which we are going to take the kids to and she mentioned she wanted to see (tickets are £60ish)?

That's a lovely idea .

Sounds a lovely gift - and so do you for wanting to give her some extra.