how many hours per week does you au pair typically work?
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Anonymous
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We have been using au pairs for nearly five years now, and have had at least one non-school-age child that whole time, so our au pairs have always been asked to work the full 45 hours every week. And even on weeks when the AP might have, e.g., Monday off because it is a federal holiday so HD and I are not at work, we might still end up using the full 45 hours because we'll take that opportunity to schedule a date night. (I don't see this as "eeking out" the full 45 hours in a vindictive way, as some posters have implied. It is simply us taking advantage of a rare opportunity to go out, knowing that our three children, including an infant, are well-cared-for by someone who we and they already know, and who knows them and how to take care of them.)
We have never had au pairs complain about their hours. We have been through re-match for other reasons, but not because the au pairs were resentful about working the full 45 hours. Most of the families we know who have au pairs also have young children who aren't in school and two parents who work, and they also use all 45 hours most weeks. Most of our au pairs' friends seem to have this schedule as well, and the ones who work less hours frequently have to work evenings and weekends - and our au pairs do not. So I think they tend to realize that there are trade-offs with these "easier" schedules. (We have actually noticed worse in some cases - that our au pairs' friends sometimes work MORE than 45 hours, often without extra compensation. It is troubling that there are many families who break the rules this way, but because our au pairs always seem to have friends who are working with such families, our au pairs also tend to view the 45-hour schedule as something that could be worse. And in any case, I think they like having nearly all weekends and evenings free.) As other posters have pointed out, if you are clear about your schedule during the matching process, and how hard the job is going to be (as well as screening for the other qualities and experiences such as full time work in other types of jobs, etc.), and that there are other families out there who will have less hours, easier jobs, better perks, etc. - there shouldn't be resentment. We were terrible about asking the right questions and screening during our first two AP interviewing periods. We've since improved. Of course, there are still always bad matches, and candidates who are good at saying the right answer just because they really want to get into the program. But hopefully if you work hard at the interview process, and are very clear about your hours requirements, any kind of resentment about hours should be eliminated. |
Anonymous
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During the summer, we use 40. I can think of only two instances where we used the full 45 and it was just a crazy time. During the school year, we use 25-30 max. Often closer to 20.
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Anonymous
| Why is a SAHM so upfront to identify herself as such, is it really necessary information |
Anonymous
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About 20-25h/w during the school year. She basically just drives the kids to and from school and then to their activities.
During the school breaks when we don't travel, it's 45h/w. But those weeks are rare and she typically gets about 7 weeks off each year. |
Anonymous
| 38-42 hours. But one of our kids has extra needs so this is to alleviate burnout. For some reason most of the Au Pairs in our area are working less than 45. 40 is about the average. However I start to get mildly resentful on the hours when I calculate all of the costs involved real and otherwise. I hate when people presume AP are underpaid. |
Anonymous
Why do people post nasty responses to posts? Wow... |
Anonymous
| Our au pairs do not work a lot. They work 45 hours in summer and during vacations, and like 15 hours otherwise. But we like having flexibility for school vacations and sick days. One of our sons is special needs and I feel like the consistency is important. However the program with added costs is expensive. I currently have an au pair that seems resentful I don’t live in the city despite me telling her so day one, and I feel like it’s going to be a looooong year. I’m not sure we’ll continue past this year. Maybe one more. |
Anonymous
I am also a SAHM with an au pair (three children under 5 y/o). I take my children to and from school, extracurricular activities, etc. I cook. I pick-up/clean. I do laundry. I handle finances. I manage the kid's (special) needs. I volunteer and the kids' schools and our church. Even with the au pair, who works 45 hours a week, I am constantly exhausted. At the end of the day, I have one life and seeing we can afford the help, we take it. Our au pairs have always been a blessing to our home and we treat them like family. They have never had an issue with the hours but we do go above and beyond to show we appreciate them. I understand other mothers do all I do and work. That's not my life nor my business though. We do what works for marriage, our kids, and our home. |
Anonymous
I will take a jab although I am not the PP. First and foremost we have childcare even though I am a SAHM because we can afford it. It allows me the convenience to do things such as workout, rest, see friends, manage household and life tasks that we all have, prepare home cooked meals for my family etc with less stress. While having childcare I happened to also develop a chronic medical condition which is very time consuming to manage with appointments and has greatly hindered my ability to physically exert myself so I am very grateful for the extra help. I find I am able to bond and still care after my children plenty since I do late afternoon - bedtime and obviously weekends with my spouse. |
Anonymous
Rich people don’t hire au pairs. Full time live in nannies and housekeepers. Not minimum wage workers. |
Anonymous
Exactly. |
Anonymous
This. No one needs to help you understand. You obviously aren't very bright. |