Comments on: Why Safety Rules Matter

By: Greatest Video In Support Of Wearing A Seat Belt « Confessions Of A Traffic Lawyer

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:51:07 +0000

[...] Why Safety Rules Matter (AuPairMom.com) [...]

By: NoVA Host Mom

NoVA Host Mom — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:26:17 +0000

Yeah, I think I’ll wait to watch it. I was just reduced to tears because I set up a pack-n-play in the master bedroom and the sight of it reminded me just how close we are to a second child in the house.

By: Calif Mom

Calif Mom — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:55:49 +0000

Go watch that ad that CV posted if you haven’t already (unless you’re pregnant; when I was preg I remember a phone company ad reduced me to tears for the better part of a morning!)

By: Mom23

Mom23 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:13:21 +0000

Anonymous,

I don’t think it is so much as the kids tattling on the au pair, but as a parent I want to know about their day. I want to know the good and the bad that went on. I try to never undermine the au pair’s authority in front of the kids, but I will have a talk with the au pair if I disagree about how she handled something.

By: Darthastewart

Darthastewart — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:22:40 +0000

I have made it clear to my kids that they _must_ tell me if the AP engages in any of this sort of behavior, and I will take it up with the AP. Unfortunately, the AP that just departed the house today, was able to maintain such discipline with them, that they did whatever she wanted, and didn’t complain that it was wrong.
(Case in point she made the three older kids -11, 9, and 6 sit in their rooms for 3 hours a day during track out because the toddler (3 yo) was napping, and the AP was making my older two wash all of the bottles by hand because she couldn’t be bothered to do them herself.. And the list goes on. ) Sometimes I wish the kids would tell me more.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:59:31 +0000

I think it is just awful that kids have to be put in the postion of tattling on the aupair. God knows, though, I want to know the truth about what is happening during the day. I also have my neighbors
having a look see during the day : popping in to say hello and just checking the lay of the land. Not all aupairs appreciate this but hell, these are my kids. All of the parenting magazines recommend surprize visits to make sure your nanny is on the up and up. But I still think it is very unfortunate that the kids have to be in this position.

By: TX Mom

TX Mom — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:33:06 +0000

This is probably a new topic: “getting the real scoop from your kids.” Every now and then I let our AP know that our kids tell *everything.* I’m not trying to undermine the AP/HP or AP/kids relationships, because I also rely on getting information from AP when the kids aren’t being upfront.

By: franzi

franzi — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:54:53 +0000

really? at least she knew she was doing something you did not approve of. not that it would have changed her behavior. sigh

on the other hand, maybe host families reading this will start “interrogating” their kids a little more now. not a method i approve of if it is a healthy relationship. but in this case i would have been all for it. it’s saddening to see how some girls take advantage of their hosts and show no respect.

By: PA Au Pair Mom

PA Au Pair Mom — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:08:19 +0000

She did not have the kids in the car at the time. I found out later that she was “occasionally” making calls while the boys were in the car. She promised them extra “goodies” to not tell mommy. I didn’t find that out though until she was already back home.

By: franzi

franzi — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:07:30 +0000

that’s why i only used specific german words (or made some up) that the kids wouldn’t pick up so easily. but then again i tried to remain calm despite DC traffic. once a week or so i had a weak moment…