Au pair and teenagers

[silver73]

Has anyone got an au pair to look after their teenagers when they get back from school?

I was thinking of a male au pair for our two sons....

Basically we would need help for one hour in the morning and two hours in the evening.

I was hoping that some housework could be done in the two hours after school as sons do not need to be looked after as such just need someone around and we are trying to get them used to keeping their rooms tidy and clean

This would mean that the au pair would be working 15 hours a week or if the housework after school does not work then maybe one hour housework on top of three hours childcare making a total of 4 hours a day.

Any thoughts?

I have had male au pairs in the past for my DS...no problem at all....great at entertaining him but mine were pretty rubbish at any thing else.

What do your teenage sons feel about an aupair?

Hi both - so impressed with the quick replies. The older son said he was happy as long as it was a male au pair pref from Spain as he is doing Spanish GCSE and would love to practice speaking Spanish more.

Younger son would rather be at home with his older brother and an au pair rather than having to go to stay at a club after school.

I was a PITA for my au pairs when I was a teen so get someone who knows the rules and their own mind!

Would the hours be full time in the school holidays? 15 hours a week is on the low side for an au pair (they usually work 25) but if it's full time hours in the holidays then it probably works out as 25 on average.

Silver, I think aupairs for older children can be tricky. Mine are still little so this is just what I hear from more experienced parents. But since you are taking your teenagers' views into account, it seems like it can work.

Perhaps involve them in the interviewing process. Agree that the personality of the aupair is important.

Thanks for the replies - I'm worried about probs with au pairs and teenagers. I'm not sure what else to do for childcare for a year 7 child. My older son will be in year 11.

I don't think a 15 year old child can look after an 11 year old but could be wrong.

What do others do?

If it's only two hours after school then can't the 11 year old sort himself out?

Why do you think a 15 year old can't look after an 11 year old? Unless there is a personality clash, which I appreciate happens, I really don't see why you need an AP unless you're worried about holidays.

My kids are 16, 11 (boys) and 7 year old DD. I'm hoping to go back to work soon, just a couple of days a week, and am planning on paying the eldest to look after his siblings for a few hours. I would expect him to make sure the younger ones made themselves a snack, and that they did their homework. I would happily have done that from when he turned 15, but tbh that's mainly because I wouldn't have wanted him to have the responsibility of DD any younger than 6.

A male AP is unlikely to do much housework for you tbh. Spanish and Italian boys are usually well looked after by their mammas so if you tell them they will need to do housework they may take that as having to leave their plates by the sink rather than on the table Why not try leaving your boys together for a bit and see if it works before making a decision?

I think a year 7 child should be able to manage. I was alone 2 after schools a week at that age when the others had activities so the au pair was out and one evening from 6 until nearly 8.30. I'd say he doesn't really need childcare if he has someone to contact in an emergency and knows to check in by text or calling you.

My kids are 3,12,15yrs.I have aupairs as dh works away a lot.My 15yr old does Babysit but if im out or have to take her out then that leaves my 12yr old and she gets nervous if it its late or has to cope with dd3 for more that 2hrs(dd3 always ends up in front of the tv) she can not do it.
My elder ones interview prospective aupairs, they have to like gigs as eldest goes often and aupair will often accompany her.
Must like Playstation/Wii for middle dd.
The aupairs like it as their English improves much quicker as my children talk a lot and fast.Chatty, outgoing aupairs work best, the ones who lock themselves in their rooms are a big nono here.

Oh and dont tell them its only for 15hrs,specify 25.Working less is a treat, being told 15 then expecting a couple of extra hrs can be met with resentment.