Ella Reeson embarked on what she hoped would be the adventure of a lifetime as an au pair in Italy. However, her excitement quickly turned to dread, and she soon found herself living an au pair horror story that led her to flee after just five days. Reeson shared her shocking experience on TikTok, documenting her fear and discomfort as she recounts her early morning escape.
The 23-year-old arrived with high expectations after being inspired by another au pair’s TikTok journey in Paris. She had extensive babysitting experience and loved children, making the role seem like a perfect fit. Her duties appeared simple enough: wake up the host child, prepare breakfast, drop him off at school, pick him up later in the day, and enjoy free time in between.
But her excitement quickly gave way to unease. The first red flag appeared during a lunch with the host mom when Reeson was bombarded with a long rant about workplace frustrations. The negative conversation made Reeson feel uncomfortable, especially since she had just arrived.
To make matters worse, the host dad, who didn’t speak English, was given the task of training her instead of the host mom, who had communicated with Reeson prior to her arrival. This only added to her frustration, as she was left to navigate a language barrier with little guidance.
The Escalating Tensions: An Au Pair Horror Story
The situation worsened when Reeson was reprimanded by the host mom for not picking up on tasks quickly enough, despite it being her day off. Although Reeson had spent time with the child, the criticism left her feeling even more isolated. On a family outing to Portofino, things took a turn for the worse. Reeson was ignored while pushing the stroller as the family walked ahead without acknowledging her. Later, she was criticized for falling asleep during the ride home after a long, exhausting day.
By the time Reeson returned to the apartment, she was filled with a sense of dread and knew she had to leave. The constant unease overshadowed any excitement about her Italian adventure, and her au pair horror story was only just beginning.
Fleeing the Host Family: A Dramatic Escape
After returning late from Portofino, Reeson quietly packed her belongings while trying to be discreet about her departure. She carefully maneuvered through the house’s squeaky floors and thin walls to avoid detection. At 5:45 a.m., she slipped out of the house with her suitcases and made her way to a nearby bus stop. Delays caused her to switch to an Uber, but she finally arrived at the airport, where she felt a wave of relief.
Despite the drama, Reeson didn’t want to leave without an explanation. She sent a message to the host mom detailing her reasons for leaving, but the response was harsh, blaming Reeson for everything. She was blocked on both Instagram and WhatsApp immediately after.
Reeson’s advice to others considering an au pair position: take your time to thoroughly vet host families. “Go through an agency, ask all the questions, and request references,” she says. Despite the chaos, she recognizes that her experience helped her grow. “Flying to another country alone taught me how to be okay on my own.”
Though she doesn’t plan on becoming an au pair again, Reeson’s au pair horror story serves as a cautionary tale for those looking to work abroad.
Source: www.people.com
