Aupair/Nanny Couples

[PixiNanny]

What are your feelings on couple jobs and would you hire a couple? Me and my OH were discussing it as an option and I'd like some opinions, especially if you've done it yourselves!

i wouldn't do it as I don't like the idea of men being in the house around my children.

Sorry if that sounds offensive.

I'm not in the position to be able to afford a couple but would if I ever were!

A friend of my mothers has a childless couple living in an annexe on her property. They are a nanny/ housekeeper/ gardener/ chauffeur kind of set but the house is a more like a mansion with substantial grounds.

I would employ a male nanny though - am quite by the sentiments of paulamummy. Very closed minded and yes offensive.

I wouldn't because my house is pretty full as it is. The fridge is always packed and the washer/dryer get plenty of use as it is. So adding yet another person is not really on the cards.

But, some people are clearly happy to do this.

One thing that would worry me is that they would be more loyal to each other than they would be to me. If one of them did something that warranted disciplinary action then the other might well cover for them.

My DS's LSA (1to1) is actually part of an AP couple, sadly not mine though!

Whilst she is supporting DS at pre school today he is gardening for me.

He has decorated, erected sheds, fencing, chicken houses, washed cars (often with the 'help' of the dc), he removed defunct bathroom and stripped tiles ready for plumbers to start - saving me loads. Wwhen here is a big job to do (like putting up the treehouse and climbing frame) he just enlists a few friends from college/other male APs to get it done.

I wish we had enough room, I would love it and the correctly skilled person would save a fortune in gardening bills

I do understand people not wanting to hire a male nanny/au pair, as it's a job for a woman traditionally.

conniedescending: That's generally the job we're thinking of, they just get called au pair couples for some reason. Personally though, I would like to do all four roles as would OH, but generally people employing couples are quite set in the 'femal looks after kids and house, male does handywork' roles -_-
& my sister's ex had a lot of trouble with work, he worked with cars and runs a car shop, but really wanted to get into childcare as he loves kids, but local colleges wouldn't take him on because he's a man! That's the reasoning they gave him too! Why shouldn't he have an opportunity because of his gender?

AtheneNoctua: You raise a good point, never thought of that. I suppose if the couple were professional then they would be honest. Personally I'd rather be honest with employers as I know it would severely damage my chances of getting a job later! But I suppose if people think they can get away with it they won't be

One thing that annoys me about this is that we'd both be 21 when starting, but people want older couples to work for them, which is understandable, but for me and OH it's a problem as we're both responsible people, rarely drink, non-smokers and have experience with kids, yet I'm sure we'd be overlooked because of our age.

marmaduke: That sounds awesome! I'd be right in there with the helping of building tree houses and destroying fixing bathrooms

It's the kind of job we'd be after, but joint responsbilities, so that we can swap roles on occasion and just enjoy doing jobs intended for both genders.

My charges love it when he visits me here because he's a lot more boisterous than I am and will throw them about and wrestle with them (playfully of course!) and though I do the same, I get knackered quicker haha This is why I don't understand gender roles anymore, as they are pretty null and void to me. I'm happy to clean cars, garden and build things (I'll probably injure myself but it's still fun!) and I know plenty of guys willing to look after kids and do a bit of cleaning!

I have to ask: I understand the second letters (mostly) of these 'D' acronyms, but what does the 'D' stand for?

'D' darling so DC darling children

At his own family he does babysitting and for other families too. My DS, although will play with him all day long in the garden - where MAP (for want of a better title) will let him help digging/wheeling wheelbarrows etc (not sure how much work gets done but they both enjoy it) - he will only go to sleep for LSA/AP.

I like that he is so thoughtful, always moving carseats for me if needed my DH would watch me struggle. He is very motivated and practical.

I once drew a sketch of the pony field shelter I wanted, I ordered the wood and after a short convo he (and his friend) just got on with it!

His partners is an absolute dream also, I would attempt to poach them if our DC weren't at the same school!

I thought it was darling! Thank you haha

That's brilliant, I'd love to get a couple job and you've just made my thoughts escalate haha

I really don't want to leave here though I must admit, going to hold on as long as I can but I know when OH gets back from France in September he's going to want to start planning what we're doing in '10. I love him to bits but I love my host family too! Oo, choices choices! Glad I have a year before I have to do anything different
I'm here till Feb '10 at the earliest, maybe a month or two longer, but we want to do a two month travel around Europe before going into another job.
Also, we're British, and the majority of these couple jobs are in Britain, which is a pain! They don't pay fantastically either, some not even £70 each weekly, but I'm hoping that as I'll be a qualified Nanny by then and he would have had two years experience at PGL (one year 7-12s mainly and the second year 14-17s) that we'd be able to find a better job.
I found one family advertising that because the apartment they give you is worth over a grand a month in rent, they don't need to pay you anymore than £70 between you weekly?! And you have to pay for your food, which would be at least £40 a week for two people! Cheeky much.

But then found another family who are willing to pay £1500 monthly and extra pocket money, which would be nice! Finding a lot of families with pre-teen and young teen kids too, which is my perfect age group. I'm certain that this would be the way forward for me and OH next year now instead of going back into the outdoor industry so soon!

Now I have a year or so to find a really sporty family with cool kids, a couple of kayaks and canoes, no horses (OH illergic, me terrified) and preferably between Stoke-on-Trent and Clacton-on-sea somewhere who need a couple to start in May '10 lol

Wsh me luck

PixiNanny have a look in the Lady magazine (you can view some ads online) they normally have things like this in there.

Lady magazine? There is a magazine called Lady? Amazing goes to google it

"COUPLE REQUIRED - Housekeeper/P.A. and Gardener/General Maintenance." First job on there haha

But still looking for more childcare orientated, 80% childcare orientated really!