how does everyone know how many texts their APs are sending and when?

[Anonymous]

...and when they are streaming videos, surfing the net, etc?

[Anonymous]

Mind your own business. Your AP can use her cellphone as she pleases ! As long as she's good at doing her job, you don't need to verify what she does. Stop spying !

[Anonymous]

If you provide the cell phone you can look it all up in the detailed statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you provide the cell phone you can look it all up in the detailed statement.

This. If you pay, then it's on your bill. I sort of agree with previous poster in that if there is so reason to worry, I don't look. I only did this once after the fact with AP3 who was on her phone constantly and I realized she was texting non-stop when she was supposed to be on duty during the summer months. After AP3 I made it super clear with our other APs that this would not be tolerated and it has never been an issue since.

For data, it's harder to know. If you offer data, you can see how much data she uses per month, but if she uses your Wifi, you would need something else to figure this out, like Disney Circle. Again, seems a bit invasive to me. I would probably try to handle differently and put a policy in place for the next AP.

[Anonymous]

My handbook has notes about phone use during work time, data limits. and text while driving.

I check my phone account the 1st couple of weeks of a new AP, just to see if there are any text activities during work times and driving times, so I can nip any problems from the beginning. I'm hands off after that. Data cannot be checked easily. I have a data limit so I check randomly just to see if there is any limit abuse and if there are data activities when she is home and should be on wifi. Once I see a usage pattern that is within limits, I also let it go.

[Anonymous]

OP here, with neither the time or energy to check. Just curious how people knew AP was "sending 542 texts during work hours" and suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, with neither the time or energy to check. Just curious how people knew AP was "sending 542 texts during work hours" and suck.

If an AP is just using normal text on a carrier that is easy to see on your bill. But most people use WhatsApp and you cannot track that.

[Anonymous]

We say no social phone use during work hours, except naptime. Our kids are young and things can happen so quickly if AP is distracted. She takes really long bathroom breaks when we're around, so I know she regularly does get texts and notices -- so I just mention it once in a while and remind her it's a safety issue. During the initial training, I ask her to make sure her family and friends know her normal hours and that she's unavailable then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you provide the cell phone you can look it all up in the detailed statement.

This. If you pay, then it's on your bill. I sort of agree with previous poster in that if there is so reason to worry, I don't look. I only did this once after the fact with AP3 who was on her phone constantly and I realized she was texting non-stop when she was supposed to be on duty during the summer months. After AP3 I made it super clear with our other APs that this would not be tolerated and it has never been an issue since.

For data, it's harder to know. If you offer data, you can see how much data she uses per month, but if she uses your Wifi, you would need something else to figure this out, like Disney Circle. Again, seems a bit invasive to me. I would probably try to handle differently and put a policy in place for the next AP.

Oh you can check data too. At least with att it'll tell you streaming etc at different times.

[Anonymous]

I had a1000 text limit per month with my first AP. I got a notice two weeks into the program that she had used the entire 1000 texts. After that I spoke with her, switched to unlimited and never looked again.

[Anonymous]

Most au pairs probably use WhatsApp so you have no des how many texts she sends.

[Anonymous]

I don't have time to micromanage to this level. We go over safety issues with phone and driving, pool, etc. Honestly, I text while my kids are watching a movie, playing, etc (I have school age kids). Taking care of kids can be very lonely and hamster wheel...I don't mind that AP is exchanging texts throughout the day to stay connected and make plans. Again, my kids are older so less of a concern that there is not a 100% engaged AP with them.

[Anonymous]

Nope, as someone said I don't have time or interest to micromanage this level of detail! I trust them, we've never had an issue. They can text a bit to make plans, etc. If we noticed a huge problem or child neglect we'd say something but over years of having APs we haven't had a problem.

[Anonymous]

I toss counting texts in with counting gas miles. I do not have that kind of time and it would feel very petty to me. Yes, if I notice that AP is taking car for long out of town trips for 5 hours a day when kids are at school or kids tell me AP is always on her phone or I notice things aren't getting done I will bring it up. In my opinion it is this kind of monitoring that can create a resentful relationship.