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[quote=Anonymous]Ok, OP, sounds like you're set on rematching and I agree based on some of the things you've said that maybe that's the best option.  For example, the kids should not be hitting you, it will be impossible to maintain control of the kids if you're not allowed to say no, if you're working every evening and all day Saturday, it will be difficult to get out and make friends.  I don't like that they told you to be home for the workman rather than asking.  So I'm with you on all that, seriously.

But I still think your posts are coming across pretty immature in some spots.  You're not going to find the perfect family that welcomes you as truly and totally a member of the family.  That's not what this program is.  The au pair/host parent relationship is a tricky one - yes, we treat our au pairs like a member of our family in that we think about her when we make big or small decision and we welcome her along to most of our activities.  We think about her needs too when scheduling her.  We make sure she can get out and have a great year.

But a lot of it is on her - I'm not her social director, she knew her schedule and our situation when she matched with us, and at the end of the day, I'm paying quite a bit of money for what is at it's root, a service.  So yes, we treat our au pairs very well and similar to a member of the family.  But they need to hold up their end of the deal as well.

And seriously, as a host mom - get over the vacation thing.  It is not personal AT ALL.  It's possible they think you would have been bored to tears at a family wedding and they think they're doing you a favor.  If you go to your LCC whining that they didn't take you to Mexico, you will find yourself back home quickly.

So you're bored because...you don't have a TV in your room?  You're not here for a year to watch TV.  Get out of the house.  Contact your LCC to hook you up with some other au pairs.  There may not be a lot in your immediate area, but there are TONS in Philadelphia.  Can't find any au pairs?  Join a club, go to a bar and start talking to people, whatever.  It is a great, big city with lots of young people, but they're not going to show up on your doorstep to drag you out of your depression.  You want the most out of this year, you've got to go and get it.  So you're tired on Sunday?  You're not here for the year to sleep all day.  Get up and get out.

You really need to communicate.  You sound like you've spun up this whole reality about how they're treating you like a stranger and you're bailing and they might have absolutely no clue how you're feeling.  It sounds like perhaps mediation and rematch might be best for all of you, but when you start over, think long and hard about what you really want out of this year and appreciate the positives of whatever family you end up with.

Best of luck to you, truly.[/quote]

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