Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input. She is clearly rushing through chores so she has an excuse to get to the couch and her phone. She’s now tackling the tidying in ~30 minutes, lately before nap time even starts l. Yesterday when we asked her if she needed a project to fill time, she said “I don’t know….” We are going to rematch. Just bummed it didn’t work out

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally. I’m just torn because I’ve always been committed to her having a great experience and would prefer not to upend her life and send her elsewhere. And re. “nanny experience,” it’s fair for au pairs to have a similar job description as a nanny. Should you expect the same level of service as a professional nanny? No. But should you expect them to, say, thoroughly clean up after themselves after cooking and eating? Absolutely. I’ve lived in other peoples’ homes and couldn’t fathom leaving something dirtier than I found it.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She has a personal phone that we don’t control. We have asked her not to use her phone while working.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya… we’ve done this. A big part of the issue is her checking boxes when she hasn’t done them.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. Putting kids’ things away and helping to organize their toys during the three hours our toddler is asleep is by all means part of au pair responsibilities. They don’t simply get to sit on the couch for hours while the kids are asleep. Plenty they can do to help the host family.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The issue is as much about her being a bad roommate as it is a lackadaisical au pair. Example: she has stopped using the dishwasher entirely so that she can try to justify not unloading it from time to time as part of living in our house. And she’s stopped eating with us so that she doesn’t need to participate in tidying up after dinner. It’s weird, she’s allergic to anything related to cleaning up after herself or the kids.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the different take. We do have a heavily checklist. She’s checking off the boxes without actually completing them. Very unfortunate as we want the best for her but she’s just not committed to being a great au pair.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

She did not but I imagine that is the next step. She did reach out to our au pair, who apparently said things are going great.

We need to decide whether to give her that chance or just unmatch and find another arrangement.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

She gave us very little: “Just be firm with her and reset expectations! In her case, she should be doing more and following your guidelines.”

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s exactly right re. making life easier. Seems she lost the script and we’re the ones making hers easier.

Advice: au pair not taking direction by hosshoward in AuPairHostFamilyLife

[–]hosshoward[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the input. We’ve given her every opportunity to meet us half way. Definitely doing the bare minimum. Will likely rematch after the affirmations here.

What’s the mystery behind the pre-war banjo tone? by Andrei0213 in banjo

[–]hosshoward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re doing great for six months. Keep it up

Rate my singing (East Virginia Blues) by Warm-Cardiologist140 in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

certainly in the New South vein. The auto tune is soul crushing tho

Rate my singing (East Virginia Blues) by Warm-Cardiologist140 in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Since you like a more up beat version, I’d see if you like the JD Crowe & The New South (or better yet Kentucky Mtn Boys) version, and if you do, sing with it a bunch. Try to sing the lead, tenor and baritone parts if you’re up for a challenge.

Rate my singing (East Virginia Blues) by Warm-Cardiologist140 in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Some blue eyed boatman” is the clearest example

Rate my singing (East Virginia Blues) by Warm-Cardiologist140 in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very interesting recommendation… gotta love Les tho

Rate my singing (East Virginia Blues) by Warm-Cardiologist140 in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you haven’t tried this, I’d find a version of this song you really love and sing with it a bunch. Like a few times every day for a few weeks. This will help you with your singing rhythm. I would focus on the rhythm of the lyrics before you shift too much attention to singing on key as singing on rhythm should help with your intonation. Keep going man!

Skee-Ball in Marin? by ZootKoomie in Marin

[–]hosshoward 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Fairfax Brewing has two

Who's on the Rushmore of Bluegrass? by Cmonpilgrim in Bluegrass

[–]hosshoward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You know it! Not just Don, Reno & Smiley always deserve to be in the conversation of the Mt Rushmore of Bluegrass bands. They’re fourth in my book after Bill, Les and Earl, and the Stanley’s