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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

AP's bed is not comfortable enough...

53 replies

NewTeacher · 04/11/2009 17:45

Hi there

My AP complained to me today that her bed is not comfortable enough as she sleeps on her tummy and she says she can feel the springs through it.

Odd, I thought as the bed was bought new from Argos 2.5 years ago (£200 or so) and 3 other AP's have slept on it and not said anything. Its the same quality of bed I would have bought for a guest room.

I had a little lie down and I agree its not as comfortable as my own but its the same standard as those found in other people spare rooms.

I think she is expecting me to buy a new mattress what do I do?

OP posts:

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nbee84 · 04/11/2009 21:20

Having just come home from a weeks holiday and a very hard and uncomfortable bed, it was absolute bliss to sleep in a comfy bed again, I'd actually been looking forward to gettng home for a good nights sleep even though I enjoyed all other aspects of the holiday. So I say that you should definitely replace the mattress - she will hopefully be with you for longer than a week

LynetteScavo · 04/11/2009 21:23

And for anyone who isn't getting on with thier AP and wants her to leave...make sure her matress is rubbish.

theoriginalmummypoppins · 04/11/2009 21:54

OP.

You didnt come on hear to get flamed and I do think that some posters have been a little harsh.

Having employed many Ap's and nannies over the years I know how annoying it is when they start demanding extra's for their accommodation not giving any thought to the cost of life as it were.

BUT. I do agree that she must have a comfortable bed and whilst I admit that I spent £1400 on a bed for DH and I last year and only £350 on a new bed for the nanny 3 months ago if she said it was uncomfortable I would change it straight away.

An uncomfortable bed is a form of torture and as others have said this isnt a spare bed that it slept on occasionally . Its her bed everynight.

Dont faff about on any duvet ideas. just buy her a new mattress and a mattress topper .

Bliss and I am off to sink into mine now !

thenewbornnanny · 04/11/2009 22:12

Why shouldn't she have a comfortable bed?! Get her a decent mattress. Doesn't have to cost the earth. If she has a decent nights sleep she'll be more enthused about her daytime activities (ie working for you!)...

AvadaNuffofFireworks · 04/11/2009 22:12

Honestly, a duvet will make it heaps better for her in the short term.

I have 2 underneath my sheets as the springs really poke into me and make weird boingy sounds all night otherwise and we aren't in a position to buy a new mattress (this is only 2.5yrs old, Argos [hmm)

Original poster

NewTeacher · 04/11/2009 22:20

Thank you ladies and gents...Surprisingly I am thick skinned so not too bothered about the flaming as it seems to happen alot on here unfortunately I just have to sift through replies to see who actually leaves genuine replies not shoot me down in flames type!

What I spend on myself is not what I would spend on others so yes I would treat myself to an expensive bed that is going to last me 20+ years. I am not going to be having AP's for that long so dont need to be so extravagant.

AND just because I can afford to have an AP doesnt mean I have money to throw away!

Its funny how some of you dont think £130 is expensive for a mattress but then gladly show me one that is £80 how is that going to be of better quality than the one I have already?

I shall check out the bed again even get the kids to try it out and make a decision from there. But once again thank you all and goodbye!

OP posts:

QuintessentialShadows · 04/11/2009 22:24

Oi! FOAM MATRESS ON TOP! It really works!

(Just thought I should mention it again in case it slipped off your radar in the uneccesar flaming)

lilylu22 · 05/11/2009 00:19

My MIL had an awful bed in her house, my hips used to ache, I am very sensitive to funny beds.

We folded a duvet over the sheets as some suggested and it was the most comfortable sleep of my life that night!

I don't think you're being cruel - just help her find a less expensive solution that a new mattress

purpleduck · 05/11/2009 00:28

Her bed is probably also "her space". She should be able to look forward to going to bed each night.
Think of it as an operating expense - like a desk for an office worker etc.

I think some have been harsh because in the OP there was a tone...like "isn't it enough that she gets a mattress!!!!!"

Well, thats my understanding of it anyway.

SomeGuy · 05/11/2009 00:39

I would imagine that a cheapo Argos mattress would probably be pretty knackered after 3 years of continual use.

Some people are used to a good-quality mattress, have a look at

www.mattressland.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1&type=134

there are plenty to choose from.

HarrietTheSpook · 05/11/2009 01:47

So what's the plan if it's STILL not comfortable enough after you replace it? Just curious.

Actually, some very good advice we got from friends this summer who have had their share of live in nannies is to sleep in the room you are planning for the person and see how YOU like it. Warm enough? Too warm? Too much light? Noisy? That sort of thing.Bed comfortable? definitely on the list. (Some things I'm convinced you may never agree on with APs though i.e. temperature...!!!!)

Yes try IKEA, they are comfortable.

belgo · 05/11/2009 07:14

In what way is buying a comfortable mattress 'throwing away money'? It's hardly a luxury.

Original poster

NewTeacher · 05/11/2009 08:44

I think some have been harsh because in the OP there was a tone...like "isn't it enough that she gets a mattress!!!!!"

Ermm a bit confused by that one as there is nothing in my OP to suggest this at all!

Have checked the mattress and DO AGREE its not nice. It definitely wasnt like that when originally bought. So will deffo have to get a new one but will so not be buying a spring one again! and will try lying down on the to get a feel!

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/11/2009 10:21

agree buy a new mattress, you can get decent ones from argos for about £80/100

a spare bed that gets slept in a few times a year isnt rhe same as a bed being slept in night after night

5 star hoteks also have uncomfortable beds all depends if you like a hard/soft matress

belgo · 05/11/2009 10:28

NewTeacher - I don't think I was particularly harsh.

I think the comments directed at your au pair 'five star hotel' and 'princess pea' comments are far harsher.

I supposed I was just puzzled as to why you were asking the question. To me it's simple - the au pair is complaining of an uncomfortable bed, due to the springs which are probably a bit worn out. In my opinion the solution is simple: you need to buy a new mattress. Not a luxury; a necessity.

I'm glad for your au pair's sake that you have checked the bed yourself and will be replacing the mattress.

morningpaper · 05/11/2009 10:32

Why not ask if she'd find one of the kid's mattresses more comfy and do a swap? (if she's got a single bed)

Or ask her to try some out and give you some prices and you'll see what you can do?

morningpaper · 05/11/2009 10:33

There are often mattresses on Ebay which go for about a quid - might be worth looking. People always changing spare beds/moving house etc. This is how we got our spare bed and it's really comfy.

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/11/2009 10:43

i wouldnt buy a 2nd hand matress for someone who would be sleeping in the bed every night

maybe fine for guest bedroom - though i wouldnt buy a second hand mattress for a child (cot death) and also many matress's have been weed on

not sure if i would want a 2nd hand weed on mattress actually ....

morningpaper · 05/11/2009 10:48

It's ALREADY second-hand, two other APs have used it

No different to buying from ebay IMO - most people will be clear what it has been used for (lots of guest beds) and if they are a smoking house

electra · 05/11/2009 10:54

I think you should buy a new mattress. Not buying one will cause you more problems than buying one and it's in your interests for her to sleep well at night.

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/11/2009 10:58

true mp - but least the op will know hopefully that the other 2 ap didnt wee on it

maybe i am weird, but i would hate the thought of sleeping a bed that may have been weed on

and yes i do think about this when i am on holiday/stay in hotel etc

morningpaper · 05/11/2009 11:00

I don't care unless it's actually being wee'ed on while I am sleeping in it, and there has been no prior agreement about this

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/11/2009 11:12

rpfl mp

dont know about your household but there is NEVER a prior agreement to wee in my bed when im sleeping there

SomeGuy · 05/11/2009 15:07

NewTeacher, the problem is not that it is a spring mattress, the problem is that it is poor-quality Argos shite.

Have a look here: www.mattressland.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1&sort=PRODUCT_LIST_PRICE_DESC&filter_id=30

krugerparkrules · 05/11/2009 15:13

not sure if you in london, but we have just bought a spare bed and mattress from warren evans (you can google) - really great mattress's and surprisingly reasonable ....

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