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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

My AP is fantastic - come here to congratulate yours

16 replies

DadInsteadofMum · 06/03/2009 11:24

People tend to post on here asking for advice when they are having problems with their AP (fair enough isn't asking for advice one of the whole points of MN).

Sometimes they then get flamed, saying that all AP employers have unrealistic expectations and are slave drivers (I paraphrase).

So I thought I would start this thread to point out there is a very significant number of us that are very happy with our APs.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PixiNanny · 06/03/2009 11:25

How nice of you

Podrick · 06/03/2009 11:28

What is the best thing about your AP, DIM?

Original poster

DadInsteadofMum · 06/03/2009 11:29

She is a real friend to the kids.

OP posts:

mumof2222222222222222boys · 06/03/2009 11:33

I am mostly happy with ours...she is leaving next week and we will be sorry to see her go. I think she will be sad too - she said she will miss "la politesse" I said what - and she explained that she thought the English were all so polite, the way that everyone says sorry to each other and are really nice to each other on the tube .

she also likes that English people aren't as bitchy as French people...well it was an interesting chat!!

PixiNanny · 06/03/2009 11:35

To keep in the spirit, what I like best about my host family is that they are all so approachable and friendly, so I can share any concern with my bosses (especially MumBoss, who I see/spend time with a lot more!)

Gorionine · 06/03/2009 11:35

I read "my AP is a fantasist" I thought hmm, interesting thread.

I think it is really nice that some people appreciate their AP. Do you tell her as well?

MarmadukeScarlet · 06/03/2009 11:42

Sadly we have been AP-less since Seapt last year and I blame my last AP!

My last AP was so fantastic that I cannot imagine ever finding one like her again, so I have been looking in a very half-hearted way.

She adored the DC and they her, she camped out in a tent with the DC - even on weekends through her own choice.

She had girly sleep-overs with DD, staying up late in APs room watching Harry Potter, painting nails and eating popcorn in her bed.

She was a qualified swim coach and DD's swimming was 100% better after she'd finished with her!

She actively chose to spend weekends with us going to NT/beach/museums/woods etc and joined in with the children - again her choice - even on her time off as she liked their and my company.

She was interesting and intelligent, thoughtful and committed and yes I told her, regularly!

Original poster

DadInsteadofMum · 06/03/2009 11:42

Frequently - then again she is also tells me regularly that she is a fantastic AP.

OP posts:

Squiffy · 06/03/2009 12:30

I heart my AP too (though as he is a male I shoudl point out that this is not in the biblical sense)

He joins in when he has days off, never loses his temper, plays make-believe dinosaur games, builds dens, disciplines appropriately and is currently trying to train DD not to wake in night (doomed I know, but he is keen on having a go). We get spoanish omelette and paella on demand and he brings us whole rounds of Manchego cheese when he comes back from visits home. Nothing is too much trouble and he is always smiling. and he never watches TV and only drinks a beer once in a blue moon.

And the sweetest touch was this week when we got a 'thankyou' letter from his girlfriend to say thanks for putting her up for a couple of days and 'especially thanks' for being such a nice family and looking out for him. Ahhhhhh.

And no, you can't have him when I've finished, because I am never going to let him leave.

jura · 06/03/2009 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

teahee · 06/03/2009 21:36

Hurray! People rarely post about the positives which is a shame. We are on our second au pair and both have been fantastic: great with the children, nice to have around, helpful in the house, mature, sensible (I could go on and on...).

blueshoes · 06/03/2009 22:15

Currently on the 3rd, who just arrived last week. All of them have been good in their own way, though I have to admit not Great like Squiffy's. I am very impressed with these young ladies - definitely made our lives easier and more colourful.

Cosette · 06/03/2009 22:18

We had a fantastic AP 7 years ago, who stayed with us for 2 years. She became part of the family, and as she is still in the UK, comes to stay 2 or 3 times a year, which has been great for my DDs.

Original poster

DadInsteadofMum · 08/03/2009 18:57

Nobody else?

OP posts:

cluttercup · 10/03/2009 20:46

Well I adore mine! She's managed to fit into a very chaotic family, is autism friendly (and understands the bad days as well as delighting in the achievements) and is just a thoroughly good egg. True I am ultra-flexible around time off and provide emotional support by the bucket load but she is so worth it. Am dreading her leaving but keen that she go to university to experience life a little... sob.... !

Kathyis6incheshigh · 11/03/2009 13:48

Ours was lovely - she was a natural with the dcs and generally very sweet. Unfortunately she has had to leave early because she has some horrible gynaelogical problem as a result of which she has been in severe pain for most of the last few months and it got to the point where she couldn't really work (she decided to go, we didn't kick her out or anything) though she had been soldiering on manfully. Fortunately she met the love of her life on the internet just after she first came to England so she has moved in with him. We hope they'll come back and see us.

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