This is a lesson for you, but does no apply to all au pairs or families. Please don’t take your bad experience and make everyone else potentially miserable? There are so many variables here. So many unknowns. I understand what they did to you is not right, but you are also in the wrong for leaving them without childcare. I frequently have to remind myself how I thought in my 20’s when I have an issue with an au pair. A lot of times when your young you cannot see the whole picture. You sound mature with your judgement to not leave your family when presented with a better offer. Take the high road and let this be a lesson. Maybe the family found out you were talking to that other family and decided they cannot trust you? Did something else happen to make them treat you so poorly? You also said you felt the shift and asked them. It’s not right that they were not honest with you, but something happened.. you leaving then early just justifies in their own mind treating you badly(which they should not have done) Life is not always fair, but don’t tell other people their experience is going to be be bad because of what happened to you. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone thought and acted this way. One miserable place. Be the better person- and it sounds like you are, but don’t put negative thoughts in other au pairs beads that don’t need to be there.