Au pairs' use

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is her room like?
When I was an au pair I had a room in the basement and then half of the basement playroom had an old couch and a couple of armchairs and a TV, This was the au pair living area. I loved it.
One option could be to make the living area you want her to hang out in from attractive.

OP here and this is a good question. She has a nice room with a daybed and trundle with her own tv w/ satellite channels, DVD player w/ Netflix, wifi and a computer printing station. Also on the lower level and at her disposal is her private bath, a mini kitchen with a fridge/freezer, beverage fridge, kuerig and microwave. Her level is where we have our mini home gym with treadmill, stairclimber, bike and weights, which she is free to use any time. It's not a huge space, but its light and bright and we've told her she's welcome to have her friends over down there.

this is very nice. feeling like we should upgrade our au pair space, to include at lease a tv and fridge.

Don't most Au pairs have their own tv? This would seem like a basic "perk" to me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is her room like?
When I was an au pair I had a room in the basement and then half of the basement playroom had an old couch and a couple of armchairs and a TV, This was the au pair living area. I loved it.
One option could be to make the living area you want her to hang out in from attractive.

OP here and this is a good question. She has a nice room with a daybed and trundle with her own tv w/ satellite channels, DVD player w/ Netflix, wifi and a computer printing station. Also on the lower level and at her disposal is her private bath, a mini kitchen with a fridge/freezer, beverage fridge, kuerig and microwave. Her level is where we have our mini home gym with treadmill, stairclimber, bike and weights, which she is free to use any time. It's not a huge space, but its light and bright and we've told her she's welcome to have her friends over down there.

this is very nice. feeling like we should upgrade our au pair space, to include at lease a tv and fridge.

Don't most Au pairs have their own tv? This would seem like a basic "perk" to me?

Our aupair does not have a tv in her room. We also don't have a tv in our room. There are two tvs in the house that our au pairs are welcome to use. We generally don't watch tv.

[Anonymous]

We don't have a single TV in the house. Our APs have known this when matching and no one had a problem. Seems like most of them watched movies on their laptops mostly anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have a single TV in the house. Our APs have known this when matching and no one had a problem. Seems like most of them watched movies on their laptops mostly anyway.

The pre-match disclosure would be key. But otherwise, I would think a tv in the Au pair's room would benefit everyone...why not?

[Anonymous]

Sure, I don't see a reason why you would actively avoid putting a TV in the AP's room, but I wouldn't call it expected or a "basic perk."

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

based on my own experience, it could also be because the AP is very nosy and likes to know what is going on with you, what you talk about when not directly involving her etc. Some here may laugh but I have seen it and most APs want some time away from the family no matter how much they love the family.

[Anonymous]

One thing to do : get her a computer in her bedroom !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing to do : get her a computer in her bedroom !

'ger her a computer'?

are you joking?

but she can save 2 weeks stipend and get her own computer, if she wishes.

[Anonymous]

If you're not ready to get her a computer in her bedroom, then stop complaining she hangs out in your living room and how annoying it is !

MANY MANY Au Pairs have computers in their bedroom or are allowed to use the family's easily.

[Anonymous]

agreed with above.

[Anonymous]

...we've had four au pairs and every one of them have arrived with their own laptop. The recent two arrived with a nicer iPhone than we have. We also set up a profile for them on our home computer so they could use the printer, but printer use has been the extent of their use of our computer. I seriously doubt most host families provide their au pairs with their own computer in their room.

[Anonymous]

Our current AP was the only on (of 4 we'e had) that did not arrive with a computer. We gave her access to ours and a netbook that she could keep in her room. She saved her money and bought a laptop. I think they like having their own computer for saving pictures, etc. I don't think the family is obligated to provide it, but providing access to one of the family computers for skyping, etc. is expected if they don't bring one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a home-body AP and now have a very social one.

I thought the home-body one was worse. I created my own space in my bedroom and hung out there...but there's really nothing more you can do, except encourage her to go out and meet friends, etc.

Sorry, OP....

OP, I can sympathize. Our last au pair was a homebody but she hung out in her room. Our current when was hanging out in the kitchen, dining room, etc. at the beginning. I encouraged her to go out and meet friends. She finally has a boyfriend and that has made things a lot better. This is going to be our last au pair (we hope). We need our privacy and our house back.