Does any have, or have had, au pairs?

A few notes and then I'm finished discussing off-topic debates.

1) I am NOT fraudulently claiming anything (Dont iunsult my intelligence, if I was doing anything fraudulently I would not come on a traceable internety site and tell everyone!!) I blackout from time to time, and this poses a real risk to my son. Everything I claim is what I've been told by officials I'm entitled to. Even if I blacked out 3 times in a year and no other symptoms, this would still be a threat to my son's safety.

2) My au pair/carer does not have to do anything to care for me other than actual be present in the house. Technically, she is working, but not because she would only have to do something in an emergency. I originally employed her for childcare purposes, but it'd be silly to employ a second person when the first person can do both jobs considering how undemanding the carer role is.

3) I do not claim £200 a week, if I am given this much in Direct Payments then I will raise my au pairs wage and give back whatever is left over. Every penny has to be accounted for, which it will be.

4) My au pair hardly has a demnding schedule, 8 hours on a Monday, 4 hours on a Wednesday and 8 on Thursday = 20 hours per week with my son, plus as a carer which as already discussed doesn't require any physical input other than just being in the house. She knows she can go out after DS is in bed (9pm ish)

5) Her wage is £50 a week, purely disposable income, all lodging/board included plus additional treats, for example, in March I'm taking her to Venice and Rome for 4 days - paid for by me so she can see some of Europe. We go out for meals and I pay, on a Friday nigth I buy her drinks out, and if we go swimming/ice skating or some activity I pay for her, I buy her toiletries, a phone card every couple of weeks..... what exactly does she have to spend her £50 on???

6) I didn't say (or at least didn;t intend to say) I would fake symptoms if they cleared up, I said I meant/said I wouldn't rule it out if I was really really skint. If I had a good graduate salary, got a partner and was comfortable, of course I wouldn't, but if I was struggling and it was the difference between my house staying mine or being repossessed then I'd certainly consider it, as I'm sure many of you would too.

7) As for what I claim, if the Government said you were entitled to £200 max a week or £50 DLA would you say "No ta I'm manage without" ??? No. I didn't think so.

8) My au pair is a nice girl, and she tries hard and works hard, but like us all loses patience after a long day. She went out shopping with DS today and bought him some wellies, so maybe I've spoken too soon. Its still early days, maybe I'm being harsh and she's still feeling a bit lost in this country. I am going to write down all the toddler groups/activities etc for her and insist that she takes DS to these.

9) My child is happy, safe and well looked after. He spends more than enough time walking and going out when he's at the in-laws at weekend, nursery has plenty of stimulating activities, I take him swimming once a week and ice skating on Sundays plus park/ducks when the au pair takes him. This is plenty of stimulation and 2 days sat in watching telly (Perhaps this will change anyway once the weather is better, I can't really blame her, its rained nearly every day since she arrived) isn't going to do any harm.

Finally, if my views are controversial then fine I really don't care. I say the truth and I don't care too much whether its socially acceptable. There are many people on here far less deserving of monies than I am - at least I'm working hard in a job and degree.

All the money I get in disability, is less than Income Support/Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Id get if I sat at home with my son. Instead I pay my own mortgage over £400 a month (would otherwise be HB/Gov money) and £100 a week Income Support, plus £100 month C/Tax = approx £900 a month in benefits. I get around £600 a month Disability money, thus the Tax Payer is clearly better off.

As already mentioned, I do everything I'm "supposed" to do as a parent. I read, I play, I go swimming/ice-skating, I cook a home made dinner every night, I give him love and support, I provide everything he needs. I don't have to be overjoyed and riveted with excitement doing it though! I can't help it if it bores me, but it doens't mean I dont still do it anyway because it's my duty.