Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm interviewing now, and these girls Do. Not. Get. It. They're horrified at the suggestion that they can't take kids to the library, zoo, playground, wherever, while this virus is spreading. And none of them have given a thought to limiting their own social outings due to medical risk (not just for them, but for the family they live with). But, but-- that will ruin *my special superfun year* of partying in the USA! Me, me, ME!
They will start taking this seriously once an au pair or two dies from coronavirus, or if it takes root in their home countries. The agencies need to talk some sense into them, because it's a serious risk to match now. I wouldn't do it.
You can’t see how an AP would not be interested in coming to the US to spend months locked into your house with your children with no abilities to go outside?I think you are forgetting it’s a cultural exchange. You are right though, do them a favor and get a nanny and see how well you can control her own social outings outside of her work hours!
Kids are some of the least at risk for coronavirus with very few cases of sick children reported, so yes you are being over the top and I would skip right past you too if I was them.
It's not about whether the kids get sick, it's about the fact that the kids can spread it to their dad with asthma or grandma with cancer, or whoever, even if the kids are asymptomatic. It is not unreasonable to expect an au pair to be cautious about something that could kill a member of her host family. But they're only a "member of the family" until it interferes with their happy hour plans.
The local nannies I've hired were older, some had pre-existing conditions themselves, and all of them had the sense to minimize unnecessary social outings in a situation like this. Because they are professionals, not immature party girls.
And you can 100% tell your AP to stay home with your kids for the 45hours that she has to work, she can chose not to match with you. You cannot, on the other hand decide what she does with the rest of her free time.
If you think (assume) nannies would be more comfortable and reasonable, hire a nanny. Let APs be selfish and get the peace of mind of having a nanny.
Even if it was true that most nannies stayed home on their free time, I am sure they don’t live alone and have children/family of their own who continue to visit and go out to school/work/public transportation/events or otherwise that would be in direct contact with your nanny and whose every move you would have no idea of. Like everything in life, you can only control your own behavior. Do what’s right by you and your family but don’t say nanny are safer and AP are selfish when you selfishly want someone to travel to the other side of the world to stare at your wallpaper instead of forking out for a nanny.
If I was an AP working for an HF whose work would be impacted by my immediate travel plans, I would accept to cancel but I would expect them to cover the costs (APs don’t earn enough to afford losing money spent on travel plans) and to let me reschedule at a later date convenient to me. It’s unreasonable to expect APs to cancel absolutely everything and lose money and offer no alternative.
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