Can anyone give us an advice on using au pair

gingin_2

missk_ensington wrote:

Have you seen those Tesco internet phones on the TV? I was going to buy her one of them so she can talk to her family without my bill going through the roof but I don't understand how they work and how do I know if my computer is compatable?

We use this for my outlaws in New Zealand

http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

I am afraid I left it to my o.h to organise so I have no clue what he did but we have a little camera and other than paying for that (I think he paid £17), it is free. There are some companies that try and charge you for internet calls and Skype is just as good if not better.

coolio_2

I heard a lot often turn to immoral earnings if paid too little.

bikerqueen

you can get quidco cash for skype and other online phone things, so make yourself a few quid back!

giggs11

i can't believe that au pairs are still only being paid around £40-£50 a week!!!!!!! :eek: my mum had au pairs for us when we were younger (10+ years ago) and she piad them £45 a week back then!!!!! our first one from turkey didn't work out too well as she was homesick and didn't speak english very well so went home after a couple months but the czech girl we had after was brilliant and stayed with us for nearly 2 years!

missk_ensington

giggs: Some earn less, I have an Australian girl coming who said she'd be happy with £150 a calender month. Different countries have different guidelines for pay, France, Germany, Finland etc are all 260 Euro's or more a month but South Africa and Australia is much lower, around £35 a week.

You have to remember though that this is 100% disposable income, there are many people I know who don't have £35-40 a week disposable income after paying their bills and mortgage!

Old_No.7

On the subject of finding a carer/au-pair type person for a grown-up/elderly person: that's how i came to the UK 8 years ago (from Europe). Was offered £45 a week to start with (that went up to £60 later on) and lived with this wonderful couple where the husband was ill and needed full-time care. His wife was his main carer, but (as anyone who is a full-time carer will know) it's tough to do it all on your own, so I was there to help out with some cleaning, some company for the wife, give her a chance to pop to the shops etc. This was by word-of-mouth: they were the parents of the boss where I was temping, and I had no idea what to expect but quite fancied giving it a go. Haven't regretted it for 1 moment. After the husband died, I found a full-time job in an office, so not in care anymore, but have really enjoyed the experience. I was 26 when I came over: it just fitted in perfectly with my life at that time and it has made me appreciate carers (be they parents or others) so much more!

That family had used 'companions' before for their own parents when they took them in to live with them. A companion is essential a person hired to entertain an elderly person (who doesn't need care as such, more some attention, someone to go for short walks with etc: the couple were both working full-time), & I've since come across many Australian people who do similar live-in care jobs. Try https://www.gumtree.com or The Lady magazine and you can see what others are offering. Gumtree is free to put an ad on: just had a quick look and under Jobs - Work Wanted there were several au pairs/carers looking for work.

It can be a real win-win situation.

searcher30

thanks everyone for your interest. we are now happy with our au
pair. we treat her like a family member. as it is summer our creche is
closed for august so mum will look after our daughter 2 or 3 times a week or
do a few hours of taking our daughter out to give our au pair a break. we
need to find some friends for our daughter and au pair as it is boring just
the 2 of them at home. any ideas appreciated. obviously they are not always
at home but just when they are it can be boring!

Rachie_B

searcher30 wrote:

thanks everyone for your interest. we are now happy with our au
pair. we treat her like a family member. as it is summer our creche is
closed for august so mum will look after our daughter 2 or 3 times a week or
do a few hours of taking our daughter out to give our au pair a break. we
need to find some friends for our daughter and au pair as it is boring just
the 2 of them at home. any ideas appreciated. obviously they are not always
at home but just when they are it can be boring!

have a look on https://www.netmums.com "meet a mum" on your local site,page or on the coffee house forum
its a good way to meet other parents / carers and their children in your area

also on netmums site is things to do indoors / outdoors etc places she can take her if you are at a loss of what things they can do together

what about local baby / toddler groups or tumble tots ,swimming etc whatever you have in your area