Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

With the new house and a new baby, it might make more financial sense to get a live in or an au pair. Does anyone have one? Anything specific I should know? Things to be aware of?

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Two friends of mine have au pairs. They only have GREAT things to say about having them.

Some positives and negatives:

-You and DH make up the schedule - my friends go out with their DHs just about every Sat night
-Much more flexible than day care
-So much cheaper than day care (they both have more than one child)
-Usually are young girls - they want to go out and come home at 3 am just like other young girls their age - not sure I'd want a tired girl taking care of my kids (although you don't necessarily know what day care employees are doing the night before either)
-Some just started driving - one of my friend's au pairs got into a fender bender with the kids in the car
-You don't have to provide them with a car, but if you want your kids to go out during the day or if she is responsible for getting them to school then you do
-They only stay for a year. They usually create a bond with your child, then they have to leave
-If they are from a foreign country they can get home sick. My one friend's au pair almost left after only a few weeks


I think for their agency it was a few thousand out of pocket (I think 6K but don't quote me) - then like $140 a week plus room and board.

Let me know if you want me to find out the name of the agency.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Damn, that sounds good to me! I want to find out the agency!

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

There was just a big article on this in newsday - I don't know if it is as cheap as it sounds.

Quote from the article: Families must pay a $6,995 program fee, which includes screening, visa processing, travel arrangements and insurance, Robinson said. The au pairs are paid $157.95 a week, in addition to room and board. As a condition of their visa, they must take six college credits while here, and the tuition also is paid for by the family.

Link to full story

I would love to do it if we could afford it - I think that it is a great program.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Here is the BIGGEST misconception about au pairs.

The original purpose of an au pair is to give an "EDUCATIONAL" opportunity for a student from a different country to come to a foreign country to study the country, language and take some classes, etc.. To integrate themselves they will live in a family house (hopefully screened for their safety..... the agency). In exchange for the housing arrangements (free!!!) they would help the house with shores.

One of the reasons au pairs get home sick and are totally disappointed is the misunderstanding of their purpose. While they should HELP with the shores they are NOT daycare providers, cleaning ladies and running errands like most people think.

I would hire a live in nanny vs an au pair. Their motivations are different. One is aware of what will be asked from her. The other one is not thinking she will stucked in the house with kids all day.

The level of maturity is also very different. Au pairs are usually 18+.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Message edited 9/8/2007 2:37:58 PM.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Posted by sometimesmommy

Posted by smdl

Here is the BIGGEST misconception about au pairs.

The original purpose of an au pair is to give an "EDUCATIONAL" opportunity for a student from a different country to come to a foreign country to study the country, language and take some classes, etc.. To integrate themselves they will live in a family house (hopefully screened for their safety..... The agency). In exchange for the housing arrangements (free!!!) they would help the house with shores.

One of the reasons au pairs get home sick and are totally disappointed is the misunderstanding of their purpose. While they should HELP with the shores they are NOT daycare providers, cleaning ladies and running errands like most people think.

I would hire a live in nanny vs an au pair. Their motivations are different. One is aware of what will be asked from her. The other one is not thinking she will stucked in the house with kids all day.

The level of maturity is also very different. Au pairs are usually 18+.

Agreed. some au pairs intern with my company and the stories they tell.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

I can speak alot about this subject. First, we had an au pair growing up since both of my parents worked full time. They are usually young girls, around 18-22 years old. They are from foreign countries usually. I don't know what requirements are as far as college stuff goes but I'm sure that's changed since we've had one. They live with your 7 days a week since your home is now their home. They also leave after a year which sucks if your child is attached to them.

We now have a live in nanny and it is wonderful. She lives in my basement but it's very private with her own bathroom and bedroom. Before she started we told her that since we have only one child (who was an infant at the time) that she would be responsible for moderate cleaning too. Since our baby has gotten older, she still cleans but not as much since DD is more active. She lives in Monday-Friday and goes home Friday nights. Occasionally we have asked her to listen for DD after we put her to bed if we had to run out but I think in the 8 month's she's been with us, we've asked her to do this 3 times. Live in's are paid around $400-500 a week.

Re: Anyone have an au pair or live in nanny?

Thanks for all the information. I appreciate it all.