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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Wow, I am an MB w/ a long-term nanny so I may not understand the whole au pair world, but it seems rather silly and petty to me that a parent would begrudge someone extra time off if they were around to stay w/ their children.  I actually like being able to send my nanny home early b/c it means I can spend more time w/ my children.  With two working parents any time we can spend with our children we do.  I wouldn't spend any energy sending passive aggressive messages to my au pair and just do what works/is right for my family.[/quote]

Maybe you didn't mean it like I took it but your post kind of illustrates why I feel guilty for using 45 hours and resent that.  Of note, I have 3 kids under 6 (6, 4 and 3 to be exact).  I work fulltime, so does my husband and we have no free help in the area (grandparents etc.).  
When I have a federal holiday, I have our AP work because it is finally a day where I can relax, take care of somethings etc.  Otherwise, it is ALWAYS me (and husband) taking care of the kids: mornings, evenings, weekends.  I am not a machine and would soo much like a break sometimes.  But you make me feel guilty because I sound like I don't want to spend extra time with my kids when I spent all of my none-working hours with them (excluding sleep).[/quote]

Your AP may want a break occasionally as well. Just saying. I'm sorry I just don't get the whole " wah, I decided to work and have young kids, and wah its hard work, and wah my husband and I actually have to take care of them". No one dropped these kids at your doorstep. [/quote]

Yeah because au pairs never get a break.  They work 45 hours a week MAX.  Which means they have 123 free hours a week to have a break.  No one's whining - we're just saying that it's not a mandate that you give your au pair absolutely every second off that you're not working at the expense of your own sanity.[/quote]

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