Reply to Does anyone else with an au pair NOT have a car?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Your APs are bemoaning this fact behind your backs. 
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Then they shouldn't have matched with us knowing they wouldn't have a car.  If they came here and found that they really couldn't deal without a car, then they should say something so we can help.  If they can't deal with it, they're free to rematch.

[quote=Anonymous]
Not everything is metro accessible or easily metro accessible.
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In the areas where host families consider not having a car, everything is Metro accessible, bus accessible, bike accessible, walking accessible, or cab accessible.  Just because you feel like you're too good for the bus doesn't mean it won't go where you want it to go.  We live in Silver Spring and there is a bus to *everywhere*.  Seriously.

[quote=Anonymous]
A 45 minute bus or train ride when it would have taken 15-20 minutes to drive is not "fun" or an "experience" beyond the first time. 
[/quote]

Travel doesn't have to be fun or an experience.  Travel is to get some place.  If you've matched with a family that doesn't offer a car, then you're agreeing to add an extra 25-30 minutes to some of your trips.  Take the time to read a book or catch up on Facebook or just sit there for 25 minutes.  Not that difficult.

[quote=Anonymous]
It's also not cool constantly being that girl bumming rides because your family isn't providing one of the most basic things an AP expects.
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I haven't found that it's "one of the most basic things an AP expects."  But there are going to be pros and cons to every family and the point is to be upfront to get a good match.  So maybe your AP ends up driving all the time, but my house is the one they're all gathered at watching movies until 2am.  Or maybe you have a car that your AP uses exclusively and my AP offers her gas money.  Some APs have iPhones, others don't; some APs have separate living spaces, some don't; some APs have a curfew, some don't; etc etc.  There are good things and bad things about every host family.  APs need to look at the packaged deal.

[quote=Anonymous]
 ifyou do have a car but are just too self involved to let her use it do not fool yourself into thinking she doesn't notice or care.
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No one said we don't think our APs notice or care.  See above re: matching.  And don't make it sound like it's simple "self-involvement" that goes into the decision to offer a car.  For one, it's extremely expensive, particularly if you have a car for your AP's exclusive use.  Even if you're sharing a car, it's expensive - license fees, car insurance, gas, wear and tear, deductibles when they have an accident.

If you're sharing, there's figuring out when your AP can use it and when you're without a car, there's worrying about whether she's a safe driver with the kids, there's the whole getting your license business in the beginning which took us three trips to the MVA.  Both of ours have had one minor accident during the year, so there's dealing with that - getting the car fixed, handling the insurance, taking her out to do more practice driving to make sure she's safe enough, etc.  It's a big pain even if you're just sharing a car.  Some host families may decide that it's too expensive or too much of a pain in the ass to deal with, so they make sure to match with APs who can't drive or who don't want to. 
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