Household Bills has triple since having Aupair

[Lastar007]

Hi mums I am new to this since having our au pair water and electricity
Bills have triple
During eating goes on in morning for 3h then for another 1h at 11 till 12 then she goes out to get daugther
And heating goes on again from 3pm till 5pm and 7pm till 9pm

We have just notice that soon as we go out she change it from autamatique setting to all day and when you get home unexpectly the house is boiling

Also she does not bad every day , when I asked her about it she said what's the point but when she does she spend ours in bathroom and said her mum use to complaint about the amount of water she spend

I guess she doesn't go out much always in her room in bed all day and always leave light on even day time I hAve mention it to switch off during day but she always says "or yes I know " but next day it's the same

What would I do

Also when she washed the dishe I always clean sink after her also mention to clean sink after washes and put sponge away she does do it again I aways do it after her
What should I do?

It sounds as if you need to either get another au pair, or make different arrangements for child care.

I don't know how old she is but what you are describing is typical teenage behaviour. She doesn't sound mature enough to be an au pair.

Having your own teenagers is trying enough, however much you love them, I don't think taking on someone else's is a great idea.

You might be better using a child minder.

if she comes from a warmer country, or Nordic countries where houses are properly insulated, then the heating thing is normal. She must be feeling the child a lot. I had that with an AP from the south of Spain and luckily she went back within a month. She was ruining me

If she's in her room a lot maybe just get a heater for her room instead of her overriding the thermostat for your Central heating?

I have my central heating on all day when Im cold....

I too put heating on all day in cold snaps. Tbh the hours you have programmed are barely enough to warm the house up then will get cold again so it may even be more cost effective to have it on lower but all day or only in the rooms she uses. Can she not shower instead of bathe, does she have her own bathroom? How is her actual childcare and does she have sole charge? Are you in UK?

well even with your higher bills, you are still getting really cheap childcare are you not? Compared to if you paid to have proper care like a nanny or nursery or after school care?

I'm at home with DD and have my heating on all day at the moment, it's freezing without it.

So it's only heating that has gone up ? It's been Bitterly cold recently and ive had my heating on all day

DP who is a gas engineer says it's cheaper to have heating on all day on low rather then have it on for bursts as takes longer to heat a cold radiator/house

Baths - assuming she doesn't smell? Yes people should bath/shower daily but sure many don't

Main thing is - is she good with your children?

just think of it as part of her wage

Yes better to have the heating on lower all day than put it on higher for short bursts. We do that in a large Victorian crafty heat vampire of a flat and it is cheaper.

Also see if you can get a flow restrictor for the shower.

But how is she in terms of looking After your child? If she's good then that's what matters.

*drafty not crafty. My flat is not Mr maker.

I don't think you can expect an au pair to be in an unheated house all day. However I always make clear (have to nannies and now do to au pairs) that I expect everyone to wear sufficient clothes ie I am not heating for people to walk around in shirt sleeves/shorts/t-shirts.

I don't think you can expect an au pair to be in an unheated house all day. However I always make clear (have to nannies and now do to au pairs) that I expect everyone to wear sufficient clothes ie I am not heating for people to walk around in shirt sleeves/shorts/t-shirts and expect jumpers/cardis, socks etc to be worn.

Some people do feel the cold more than others. I sympathise with her because I'm a person who feels the cold. But she should wear warm clothes and not be wasteful.

Some people do feel the cold more than others. I sympathise with her because I'm a person who feels the cold. But she should wear warm clothes and not be wasteful.