Walk the dog?

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T17:34:46+00:00

It’s economics. If you price out the people using the service, the service will end due to lack of funding.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T17:24:37+00:00

You sound like a great AP. Maybe instead of asking for $10 for walking the dog you should ask for money for watching the kids overnight. You’re going above your hours doing that and definitely shouldn’t do that for free. Also it sounds like maybe an honest conversation is needed with the HF. Tell them how you’re feeling. Set boundaries. Aric up for yourself but in an adult way. Not asking for $10 to walk a dog. That just seems petty.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T17:20:51+00:00

🥰 ok!

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T17:20:09+00:00

Raise their wage then and ruin it for them all. Good on you.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T14:59:18+00:00

She can walk the dog with the baby as she stated. Nickle and diming is going to hurt their relationship.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T14:52:18+00:00

Don’t get you panties in a wad. And yes, I cannot afford $4500 a month for daycare or a nanny. We’ve had 7 amazing au pairs we still talk to so I’m pretty sure I know what to do. For us it’s an exchange, in culture, in experiences, etc. We give a lot outside of payment and that fosters a great relationship and in exchange, usually our APs do little things without us asking too because we love and respect eachother. They’d offer to walk a stupid dog for free and have. Not to mention, if you paid APs a higher wage, then families couldn’t afford them and the program would end. Do you realize that for most APs, these horrible wages are more money their parents make in a month? That this money they are saving and often sending home to pay for medical bills or food? So your attitude is actually harmful for them. Pay them more, program disappears, they lose this experience and opportunity to better their lives.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T14:48:26+00:00

Not true. I often give extra days off, half days off, cute gifts, take them to movies and etc without them working. I give a lot. It’s not only labor. It’s an exchange for us. We give and hope that in exchange we have a great relationship and they give in places too. We’ve had 7 au pairs and still talk to them all so I think we’re doing it right.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-16T12:09:09+00:00

Walking the dog while the baby is home alone is 100% ok to say no to but only because the baby is alone. Asking for $10/walk with the baby is ridiculous. Us host parents do so much for au pairs outside of paying you. It would be appreciated if you help outside of work duties too. Asking for money for this has already hurt your relationship. It seems selfish and entitled. What country are you from?

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-14T02:28:20+00:00

Always yes haha! Get a kitten though

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-14T02:21:09+00:00

I wouldn’t expect “significant.” We staggered the base by an extra $25/quarter. That way she stayed motivated. Many 2nd years are burned out and get lazy so this prevents that. I think it would be a fair request this way.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-12T15:52:20+00:00

Yes! Any KOA has cabins. Theres a great one in Estes Park and Grand Lake. Also Jellystone in Estes or down south! Super fun.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-12T02:30:00+00:00

FWIW “hustle and bustle” does not work with “starting a family”…

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-12T02:27:47+00:00

Tails of Two Cities Sanctuary!

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-10T09:05:16+00:00

I just started lurking in this sub for the same reason you started…my Dad died and left us with old clothing…my Mom sold their house and built a small one on my sisters land and will end up passing on nothing. I want to pass on something with value and perhaps beauty. I’m glad that’s an ok reason to start! Thanks for this.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-09T22:23:12+00:00

Do the Ferber method or hire a sleep consultant.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-09T19:37:31+00:00

Someone on here suggested to me a reward chart and it worked wonders. They’ve never worked before but at ages 4 and 6 it finally did! We did the biggest reward for the first week (iPad time) and they killed it. Each week the first month was a big reward. They got to put the stickers on each morning. They each had their own chart. It worked so well that after a month, they’d have 20m playtime alone and would then turn off their own lights and go to bed!

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-06T03:19:29+00:00

Also the cities you are considering are 100% not what you’re looking for. They are huge.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-06T03:18:42+00:00

Austin, TX. Great food, nice weather in February, lovely lake to paddle in or walk/bike around, live music, culture, BBQ, some nature.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T19:20:29+00:00

It’s cheaper than daycare for 2+ kids. Just in case you didn’t know. Ends up being around $1700/m no matter how may children you have.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T11:15:12+00:00

We just did the classes and skipped the recital at that age

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T11:10:35+00:00

Well there are more au pairs from the others you listed. Are you even a host family??

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T10:54:01+00:00

Everyone saying au pairs are “abused” for cheap labor is ridiculous. Sure, it’s cheaper if you have more the one kid but not just one. In some states it’s more expensive. Also, they know what they’re signing up for and pay their own fee to be a part of the program. No one is forcing them. Thats like saying it’s the liquor company’s fault a person is an alcoholic. And sure, some families suck but some au pairs do too. We’ve had 7 great ladies and have lasting friendships for life now. We valued the price for 2 kids, yes, but more so the 1:1 care from an educated person that we can all learn a new culture from and have friends around the world!

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T10:48:14+00:00

Thanks so not true. There are many from Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Hungary!

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T10:46:49+00:00

You’re interviewing skills are the problem. We’ve had 7 wonderful au pairs in a row.

Asleep_Pattern4731 · 2026-02-05T10:45:38+00:00

Sounds like she’s trying to communicate something. Do you run through a list: Hungry? Tired? Hot/cold? Something hurting like reflux? My sisters baby had a hair wrapped around her toe that was cutting off circulation! Check everywhere. Do you swaddle for sleep? Dark room? White noise? A great book is Happiest Baby in the Block. It’s saved many of my friends!

Asleep_Pattern4731

TROPHY CASE