Time off over holidays?

[Anonymous]

How much time do you give your au pair off over the holidays? This year we are giving off the 24th, 25th, 31st and 1st. We have off in between holidays and most likely will have her work some so we can get some things done around the house.

Do you ever ask her to work New Year's Eve?

[Anonymous]

We have to work every weekday except Christmas Day, New Years Eve Day and New Years Day. Those days we don't have our Au pair work and she also has the weekend before New Years off (so four days in a row, although we're not "charging" her vacation). I haven't ever heard of someone having their Au pair work New Years Eve. We're getting a separate babysitter. But I have heard most people have their Au pair work on whatever days they too are working no matter how close to the holidays otherwise.

[Anonymous]

We have 3 small children and no help in the area. Our AP works during the week and has all weekends off. However, we always have AP work on NYE (and note this during matching) because we love to go out on NYE. Our APs tend not be big partiers anyway and are allowed to have a few AP friends over so they can cook, hang out and watch TV. Since they know this since matching, we have not had any problems.

We also have our AP work during holidays. Not all day and certainly not alone as in we sit on the couch and she herds 3 kids around, but we work fulltime, have kids and don't really get any release from our daily life. So having the AP help out gives us small breaks to recharge. One of the great benefits of having an AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 3 small children and no help in the area. Our AP works during the week and has all weekends off. However, we always have AP work on NYE (and note this during matching) because we love to go out on NYE. Our APs tend not be big partiers anyway and are allowed to have a few AP friends over so they can cook, hang out and watch TV. Since they know this since matching, we have not had any problems.

We also have our AP work during holidays. Not all day and certainly not alone as in we sit on the couch and she herds 3 kids around, but we work fulltime, have kids and don't really get any release from our daily life. So having the AP help out gives us small breaks to recharge. One of the great benefits of having an AP.

This is what we do as well.

[Anonymous]

I've always had my au pair work on NYE but in "shifts." We typically go out to a nice dinner with friends and are home by 11, watch the ball drop on TV or fall asleep. The AP goes out around 11 and parties into the new year.

[Anonymous]

Some of you actually have your AP work on the holiday itself? Do they work Christmas Day as well and not just New Year's? I think if I was an AP I would be a bit upset at that arrangement.

[Anonymous]

I am off the week between Christmas/New Years. While I am not making the AP work full days those days, I do need her help some of the time.

I gave her off NYE.

Christmas is a family event and while she's not working, just like Thanksgiving, she will be around to provide help as needed...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you actually have your AP work on the holiday itself? Do they work Christmas Day as well and not just New Year's? I think if I was an AP I would be a bit upset at that arrangement.

I'm 15:56 and I said my au pair is working when I'm working (every week day but Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day). That said, I think asking the au pair to help a bit on Christmas Day isn't a huge evil, particularly if they are asked well in advance. Every single au pair I've ever heard of (not that there aren't expectations) spends the holiday with their host family where ever they go, so it's not like they would have a bunch of friends to hang out with that you're asking them to miss out on. And actually my au pairs have always wanted something to do so they're not just sitting around. Nicely asking your au pair to play with the kids for a couple of hours while you help your mother-in-law make dinner or something actually might make her feel useful.

We don't ask our au pair to work New Year's Eve and both of our au pairs have made big plans for the whole evening. I understand asking them to work that night if you matched on those conditions and that all families are different, but based on my experience, asking your au pair to work on NYE would indeed be asking a lot. But I think that's different than asking them to work a bit on Christmas Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you actually have your AP work on the holiday itself? Do they work Christmas Day as well and not just New Year's? I think if I was an AP I would be a bit upset at that arrangement.

I'm 15:56 and I said my au pair is working when I'm working (every week day but Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day). That said, I think asking the au pair to help a bit on Christmas Day isn't a huge evil, particularly if they are asked well in advance. Every single au pair I've ever heard of (not that there aren't expectations) spends the holiday with their host family where ever they go, so it's not like they would have a bunch of friends to hang out with that you're asking them to miss out on. And actually my au pairs have always wanted something to do so they're not just sitting around. Nicely asking your au pair to play with the kids for a couple of hours while you help your mother-in-law make dinner or something actually might make her feel useful.

We don't ask our au pair to work New Year's Eve and both of our au pairs have made big plans for the whole evening. I understand asking them to work that night if you matched on those conditions and that all families are different, but based on my experience, asking your au pair to work on NYE would indeed be asking a lot. But I think that's different than asking them to work a bit on Christmas Day.

I'm the host who has her AP work early on NYE and she's free to go out around 11. I actually think that's pretty nice of us. We would love to be out and celebrate into the new year but we're actually giving her the more desirable time slot. We don't have her work on Christmas Day at all, FWIW and on Christmas Eve only in the morning because we're working that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: However, we always have AP work on NYE (and note this during matching) because we love to go out on NYE.

One of the great benefits of having an AP.

I've always had my au pair work on NYE but in "shifts." We typically go out to a nice dinner with friends and are home by 11, watch the ball drop on TV or fall asleep. The AP goes out around 11 and parties into the new year.

I'm the host who has her AP work early on NYE and she's free to go out around 11. I actually think that's pretty nice of us. We would love to be out and celebrate into the new year but we're actually giving her the more desirable time slot.

God you people are horrible! Any time anyone questions whether the Au Pair program is anything more than cheap labor, you all go on and on about how the money is just a stipend but its really a "cultural exchange." Yet when its actually time to allow her to experience the culture, you can't because you like going out on NYE so she has to work. Selfish!! You should at least pay her at a rate on par with what others are charging that night, minimum $20/hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: However, we always have AP work on NYE (and note this during matching) because we love to go out on NYE.

One of the great benefits of having an AP.

I've always had my au pair work on NYE but in "shifts." We typically go out to a nice dinner with friends and are home by 11, watch the ball drop on TV or fall asleep. The AP goes out around 11 and parties into the new year.

I'm the host who has her AP work early on NYE and she's free to go out around 11. I actually think that's pretty nice of us. We would love to be out and celebrate into the new year but we're actually giving her the more desirable time slot.

God you people are horrible! Any time anyone questions whether the Au Pair program is anything more than cheap labor, you all go on and on about how the money is just a stipend but its really a "cultural exchange." Yet when its actually time to allow her to experience the culture, you can't because you like going out on NYE so she has to work. Selfish!! You should at least pay her at a rate on par with what others are charging that night, minimum $20/hour.

I wouldn't have phrased it quite as harshly as the PP, but I agree. Many of you - some on this thread, others elsewhere - seem to be missing the point of the AP program entirely and remain 100% obsessed with how much work you can milk out of these poor girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: However, we always have AP work on NYE (and note this during matching) because we love to go out on NYE.

One of the great benefits of having an AP.

I've always had my au pair work on NYE but in "shifts." We typically go out to a nice dinner with friends and are home by 11, watch the ball drop on TV or fall asleep. The AP goes out around 11 and parties into the new year.

I'm the host who has her AP work early on NYE and she's free to go out around 11. I actually think that's pretty nice of us. We would love to be out and celebrate into the new year but we're actually giving her the more desirable time slot.

God you people are horrible! Any time anyone questions whether the Au Pair program is anything more than cheap labor, you all go on and on about how the money is just a stipend but its really a "cultural exchange." Yet when its actually time to allow her to experience the culture, you can't because you like going out on NYE so she has to work. Selfish!! You should at least pay her at a rate on par with what others are charging that night, minimum $20/hour.

I wouldn't have phrased it quite as harshly as the PP, but I agree. Many of you - some on this thread, others elsewhere - seem to be missing the point of the AP program entirely and remain 100% obsessed with how much work you can milk out of these poor girls.

If this were the case dont' you think AP would be working well past midnight on NYE while mom and dad were partying it up??

[Anonymous]

Just because it's a cultural exchance doesn't mean it's a charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just because it's a cultural exchance doesn't mean it's a charity.

Ha, if thats true then cut the BS about wanting a member of the family and wanting to introduce someone to your culture. Admit you want cheap labor, and someone who can't say no when you tell them they are working NYE so you can party. Don't spout the cultural exchange crap when someone calls you on the unfairness of it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you actually have your AP work on the holiday itself? Do they work Christmas Day as well and not just New Year's? I think if I was an AP I would be a bit upset at that arrangement.

I'm 15:56 and I said my au pair is working when I'm working (every week day but Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day). That said, I think asking the au pair to help a bit on Christmas Day isn't a huge evil, particularly if they are asked well in advance. Every single au pair I've ever heard of (not that there aren't expectations) spends the holiday with their host family where ever they go, so it's not like they would have a bunch of friends to hang out with that you're asking them to miss out on. And actually my au pairs have always wanted something to do so they're not just sitting around. Nicely asking your au pair to play with the kids for a couple of hours while you help your mother-in-law make dinner or something actually might make her feel useful.

We don't ask our au pair to work New Year's Eve and both of our au pairs have made big plans for the whole evening. I understand asking them to work that night if you matched on those conditions and that all families are different, but based on my experience, asking your au pair to work on NYE would indeed be asking a lot. But I think that's different than asking them to work a bit on Christmas Day.

I'm the host who has her AP work early on NYE and she's free to go out around 11. I actually think that's pretty nice of us. We would love to be out and celebrate into the new year but we're actually giving her the more desirable time slot. We don't have her work on Christmas Day at all, FWIW and on Christmas Eve only in the morning because we're working that day.

I'm the PP you quoted. Like I said, all families are different and if it's worked for you, that's great - believe me, I would rather not pay for an extra babysitter that night But both of our au pairs have had all evening plans in the city, so not being able to leave the house until 11:00pm would have been pretty prohibitive.