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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

Food Question

23 replies

user1492232552 · 22/04/2017 01:23

This is on behalf of somebody else so apologies if I can't answer.
Twice this has happened where the family has left no food in the house. Tins and packets and meat in the freezer but no potato's or fresh veg or milk or bread that sort of thing. Basically a meal can't really be put together.
Au pair had to use own money to buy snacks in the school holidays to keep young boys going, money was refunded by mum had a face like thunder, surely that's normal kids eat you out of house and home in the holidays ?
As it's happened with two families it just seems bloody strange, is this how other people live ?

OP posts:

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wren23091 · 22/04/2017 06:06

I have to do pretty much the same. During the Easter holidays (last two weeks) I ended up spending about €20 a week (currently au pairing in france) because the mum never gets around to doing a weekly shop (plans to do it each weekend but there's always some issue with the husband not being there to mind the kids while she shops, so it doesn't get done)
Long story short, for me it's not normal to not keep staples like bread and milk in the house, especially for families with kids, i don't get it either!!

SouthPole · 22/04/2017 17:20

Speaking as the mother, it's strange.

We have weekly deliveries as husband and I are so busy.

If AP has to buy food when out with the kids or top up milk/bread I just ensure he knows to come to me with what I owe him.

No face like thunder here - just thanks for helping to keep us afloat!

Cazz81 · 22/04/2017 20:31

I give her a petty cash specifically for this reason (we always run out of food at home) and she uses it where and when needed.

Trifleorbust · 25/04/2017 05:50

That is weird. She should not be paying to feed the children.

She should ask what she is meant to cook that day. Show them up a bit.

highinthesky · 25/04/2017 05:56

I can understand wanting to budget, but the simple truth is you can't afford an au pair if you can't afford to feed one.

Original poster

user1492232552 · 25/04/2017 06:22

I'm absolutely livid now. Their dog escaped this morning and knocked me flying ripping my brand new jeans and cutting my knee, didn't even ask if I was ok. This combined with the mother getting me to drive the family car which turned out to have no rego (Australia), 3 illegal tyres and an illegal windscreen and because I was driving I got the $100 fine which hasn't been paid.
I want to just leave.

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 25/04/2017 06:24

So it isn't on behalf of someone else.

Original poster

user1492232552 · 25/04/2017 06:24

Sorry got that text through this morning - she should just go shouldn't she ? I said the mother should have thought of her childcare etc before treating her so badly

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 25/04/2017 06:25

Okay

Original poster

user1492232552 · 25/04/2017 06:26

What's with the face ?

OP posts:

hesterton · 25/04/2017 06:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trifleorbust · 25/04/2017 06:30

Who are you? What is your involvement in this? If you refuse to be clear you are wasting the time of other posters.

highinthesky · 25/04/2017 06:48

Are you dependent on the job for a visa?

Original poster

user1492232552 · 25/04/2017 11:54

No the visa isn't job dependant, flights have been booked today. Chalk that up to experience I guess

OP posts:

Beelost · 28/05/2017 15:04

Living as au-pair I had no such problems. But another au-pair had nothing to eat at home when her guest family went away on holidays. So my guest mother often gave me some food, so that I could give it to her

Iamastonished · 28/05/2017 15:08

Are you the au pair then?

Beelost · 28/05/2017 20:42

I used to be an au-pair, 4 years ago.

RebelRogue · 28/05/2017 21:00

Think the dog thing is a text OP received from friend and she posted it as it was.

Mamabear12 · 04/06/2017 10:03

Very strange to me. The mom probably works and doesn't pay attention to the household. I am stay at home so pay more attention to food in the house so buy foods every day almost. However, not really an excuse bc when I was working I also managed to know when to buy more food. If I was au pair I would let the mom or dad know the kids are hungry and need bread etc

chloeb2002 · 08/06/2017 16:02

Plenty more ap jobs in Aus! No need to fly home... try au pair world?
Not every host family is difficult.

llhj · 08/06/2017 18:08

Mamabear
What a load of sexist drivel. Why is it entirely the mom's fault for daring to work? Most working PARENTS manage to have food in the house.

Mamabear12 · 08/06/2017 20:35

Ummm, hello?? Did you not see that last sentence where I said "let the mom or DAD know..." in my house hold I mainly take care of food shopping. My husband does occasionally, which I why in MY comment, I am referring to what I do in MY house hold. So no, I don't think my comment is sexist drivel.

Mamabear12 · 08/06/2017 20:39

And forgot to add, I only think it's fair that I do most of the food shopping, since I'm the one home during the day. My husband regularly gets home 8 or 9pm from work, and also is not look g in the fridge to see what the kids have eaten bc he gets home, eats and works more and then sleeps. Wakes up and back to,work. So yea, I do the food shopping. When I was working, I got home by 6 so again, did the food shopping as I'm home first. If I were the one working until 8/9pm and paying all the bills, while my husband stayed at home and had the option to go to the store and ability check the fridge plan meals etc....then yes, he would do the food shoppping. ;)

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