Variable schedule week-to-week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will find someone but it will take honesty and time. I am a nurse (single mom) and I needed my au pair 2pm-midnight 4 days a week (Sun-Wed). She had off every Thurs Fri Sat. Had 3 au pairs who loved that schedule -- they could do the laundry/tidying when my son was asleep in the evenings. So easy, and they knew it.

Au pairs preferred to sleep late in the mornings. It was ideal all-around.

Just saying that 18-26 year old me would have loved that gig. There’s a kid for every pot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will find someone but it will take honesty and time. I am a nurse (single mom) and I needed my au pair 2pm-midnight 4 days a week (Sun-Wed). She had off every Thurs Fri Sat. Had 3 au pairs who loved that schedule -- they could do the laundry/tidying when my son was asleep in the evenings. So easy, and they knew it.

Au pairs preferred to sleep late in the mornings. It was ideal all-around.

Just saying that 18-26 year old me would have loved that gig. There’s a kid for every pot.

Agree that they may be some takers, but this schedule Sun-Wed, 2 PM - midnight is not "variable" week to week; that would be more challenging for an AP.

[Anonymous]

I am the nurse PP. Just contributing that there are "Other than 9-5" schedules out there and some APs love it.

There seem to be a number of physicians on this board. Perhaps you can change your schedule to afternoons/evenings/nights -- easier on the AP I think and then you get to see your children more during the day. It is absolutely the main reason i choose to work 2:30-11:30.

[Anonymous]

Why are you switching from a nanny to AP?

[Anonymous]

we've had au pairs for 8+ years, and our schedule has varied, though not as much as yours. my work needs could be different and dh has inconsistent travel. we always give a schedule the sunday before, and are very fair with the hours (never go beyond the program rules), are very fair with weekends and vacations, etc. We do not fill the hours like some families. Right now our current au pair works a lot of 20 hours weeks.

I see some people saying au pairs don't work weekends - ours is typically Friday or Saturday night so we can go out to dinner, but sometimes more when kids have different activities at the same time. we've never had a problem with great au pairs. Also, so many families are such jerks about the hours, not giving a schedule, etc. You sound organized and I think a lot of people would appreciate it.

I agree that flexibility goes a long way - so letting potential au pairs know they'll have some extra time off would be valued.

[Anonymous]

You'll need to make sure she's able to get her education credits and attend cluster meetings despite the schedule. But it should be fine if you keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you switching from a nanny to AP?

Agreed. A live-in nanny wouldn’t be bound by the 45 hour maximum, and a mature adult could more easily rationalize and plan for successive weekends working. I’m a live-in who actually prefers at least one day off to be a weekday: it’s a heck of a lot easier to do my errands and go to the doctor!