Reply to It would be nice if AP agency explained what “2 weeks vacation” means!

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's very rude to force her to be scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I would have hated it to be brought to me like this. Being invited to share the Christmas spirit as a family is what's supposed to be done. Not "you HAVE TO be there". Even if from what I get she won't be working.
You sound very micro managing, pp.[/quote]

You know what else is rude? The AP that shows up for dinner and presents, but doesn't spend any other time with the family. No help preparing dinner or cleaning up. [b]Stares at phone and texts throughout dinner[/b], then leaves the minute she's done eating and not when everyone else is done. No leisurely coffee and breakfast while kids play with new toys. Grabs presents, opens them, mumbles thanks, and heads out.

This is the reason why HFs "schedule" holidays. To set an expectation that AP is there. Because some APs simply don't care enough unless they get something out of it (presents). [/quote]

Whaaat?  NUMBER ONE rule of the household:  no phones at the table! This is family talk time. Some people really are lobotomized. [/quote]

I also have a "no device at the table for EVERYONE" rule. I explain that the AP is expected to be a role model to the kids.  I see lots of parents, including my own cousin allow their kids to be on smartphones, iPad, or even good ole paper books during whole meal time.  If AP grew up in this kind of family culture, it is normal and acceptable and why would AP think twice about continuing this behavior when at my house UNLESS I explicitly tell her to not only put it down but better yet, don't even bring it to the table.

I have it in my handbook, I specifically call this rule out during interview and I remind AP after they arrive but sometimes, that is not enough.  For some of them, this concept of "no device at the table" just doesn't sink in because they are so used to (maybe years) of this behavior at home.  A concept is abstract but to put it into practice makes it real.  So, the first time AP sits down at the dinner table and pulls out the phone, I immediately remind her of what we talked about and she puts it away without any drama because she "vaguely" remembers this rule but "forgot".  Habits are hard to break. 
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