Au pair threw water in DS' face

[niceupthedance]

Interested in others' views:

I was working from home this afternoon and heard an argument downstairs. DS7 comes screaming and crying upstairs in his pants absolutely soaked saying au pair threw a jug of water in his face. Au pair said he was being rude and shouting at her that he wouldn't put his ball outside.

They have had a pretty strained relationship over the three months she has been here and he doesn't like her. I don't think she likes him much either but her new job doesn't start until September so she's trying to stick it out until then.

AIBU to sack her for the water incident? In my mind she is the adult and should have walked away, or come to get me.

Yanbu, what a horrible thing to do.

If she’s doesn’t get on with your child then let her go. What’s the point of inflicting her on him if they don’t have a good relationship? He’s rude to her, she’s mean to him, fuck it, life’s too short

No yanbu. Tell her to get out now.

God, what else does she think is an acceptable punishment? Get rid.

Whatever the argument, I think she should have been the adult. YANBU.

He’s 7!!!! There’s no possible excuse for throwing water in someone’s face. OP clearly says au pair said he was grumpy about coming inside, suggesting any other possible reason is weird

YANBU to sack her. He doesn’t like her and has had someone in his home who doesn’t like him for 3 months already.

Get rid. Horrid women and she’s ment to be the adult.

Sack her immediately

Wtf?!
What did you say to her? My first words would’ve been “get out of my house” have you just gone about your day and left her to look after him - imagine how your seven year old feels that an adult has just basically assaulted him and his Mother hasn’t defended him!
Poor little lad

Why have you let her stay if they have a strained relationship? Sack her immediately poor lad should feel safe in his own home.

You'd cut any other adult out for this let alone one you're paying.

Sounds like he's having a shit time while she conveniently goes from one job to another.

No of course I haven't just ignored it. She is going away for the weekend so I said she should leave now and I will speak to her later.

I also told her that it is totally not acceptable and I didn't think there would be any coming back from that so she should think about moving on.

I have also told DS that he should not be rude but he did not deserve that and gave him a big cuddle and a pizza :(

You should have sacked her on the spot. If you haven't already done so, do it now. This is tantamount to assault surely? Do you really want him to think it's OK to do this? I'm surprised you have to ask tbh....

YANBU! Have you ever had water thrown in your face in anger? It's really shocking. It might not hurt but it feels like an assault. To do that to a child is seriously bad. Get rid of her, OP.

Bloody hell, OP. Sack her today. Tell your son that he didn't deserve that and let him know that you support him.

Just how rude and shouting at her was he? Does your child respect authority figures normally?

I think this employment has run its course, but will you have issue with any other au pair?

Sack

I would’ve sacked her on the spot. That’s disgusting behaviour on her part.

X-post with OP update. But are you sure you've actually sacked her OP?

'She should think about moving on' is a bit woolly. I wouldn't let her near my child after that.

I would have also probably thrown water in her face for doing it to my DC!

Just how rude and shouting at her was he?

Why is that relevant?

What the child said or did is not relevant.

Throwing water in his face and soaking him is not an acceptable way for an adult in charge of a child to behave.

Get rid immediately. I don't know why you didn't let her go before. If your child doesn't like her, there is probably a good reason. Trust your child.

Tbh I'm still in shock and can't believe it happened, hence not sacking her on the spot, also I wanted her to just go away so I could look after DS.

I've already made plans with work to take emergency leave until I can sort out someone more bloody appropriate! I won't be hiring another au pair that's for sure. If she did that while I was in the house what would she do if I wasn't here?