Au pair took drugs. WWYD?

[WhatTheDickensian]

We have a lovely Australian au pair who is 19. She's been with us since Christmas and Is a lovely girl.

Last night I got a call in the middle of the night because she was in hospital. It turns it she took ecstacy while drinking and she had a fit. Shes still in hospital but is going to be fine.

What should I do? Would others keep her employed to care for their kids? She is a good au pair and the kids are close to her. She and I get on very well. But on the other hand she took drugs last night when she was due to come back to our home and to look after the kids at 3pm today.

She has apologised profusely.

WWYD?

I really don't know what I'd do OP. I would find it very challenging to manage a person like this on my own - so, well done for that. It's stressful but it sounds like you're holding it together.

I don't think it's the first time either. The scene with the friends at the hospital would have been...well, maybe the deal breaker for me.

Who was even looking after your kids when you had to go meet her in the hospital? Do you really need that?

How much longer is she with you?

Interesting reading, thanks ladies.

She's home. We have had a long talk and both Skyped with her parents. She is so apologetic and is willing to do anything to stay.

She is meant to be with us until Christmas. I've said she can stay until 6 Aug when I go on holiday and then we will review the situation. This means I don't have to find new childcare in a rush. She's won't party in this period.

I've no moral objection to drug taking. However, the fact she chooses to get off her face the night before working and operate on a hang over shows she considers looking after your kids something she can do on autopilot and it's not a serious enough job that she needs to be on good form for. For that, I'd sack her

I would keep her on.

People are entitled to do what they like in their spare time, including drugs. Assuming she's not taking anything whilst caring for your children, I would let this go.

I suspect she's had a fright in any case and would not be repeating the experience.

People are entitled to break the law, heron? Really? Really?

Yes, they are entitled to break the law if they choose.

FWIW, I do not have an issue with recreational drugs, provided that's what they are - recreational.

They are no worse than alcohol. Buying/taking drugs is illegal, but in my opinion only nominally.

Lol no one is entitled to break the law what a ridiculous thing to say.

Whether or not she can do what she likes as an adult, I wouldn't want someone who took drugs in my house, looking after my children.
It would be a deal breaker for me.

im on the fence with this one

you need someone you can trust to look after your children

she did something stupid in her own time - sure we all have done that

i would give her another chance, make very clear no drugs at all, you will do random drug testing and again tho her own time partying till 6am on a friday/saturday night should be restricted

where did she get the drug from? friends?

I think I would want to give her the benefit of the doubt. We most of us did stupid things in our teenage years.