Quote:
Originally posted by baltassoc
Since you guys have brought it up, does anyone have any experience with au pairs? The literature I've received implies a pretty strict time limit per week (45 hours). Is there some flexibility there? Would we have to provide a car (as a practical matter, not as a program requirement)? Can I use that as an excuse to get myself out of the SUV I hate and into the convertable (or sports car) I've always wanted (and hand down the SUV)?
Obviously, with an au pair a lot of such things would be highly dependant on the actual au pair, and so the luck of the draw, but anyone have experience? Besides Wonks suggestion, is any country better than another, for any reason besides appearance (NTTAWWT)?
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Lots of friends did. Once. Too high-maintenance, and too high of a chance of getting Ms. PartyGrrl. And then, boy, are you stuck. (
"I know I'm supposed to make breakfast, Mr. Baggins, but my new boyfriend that I met at First Avenue is in jail again, and I just HAVE to find a way to get him out, or I'll just DIE! Oh, and I think I'm pregnant.", all in a cute french accent.) The agency that sets them up will find you another, eventually, but you're stuck with who you get for a good amount of time. (At least, you're paying, and you're providing the room and board.) I know six families who did this, and they now recommend it to no one.
Best thing we ever did was, hire a nanny. The kids were in a corporate-type daycare, and that was really very good. Lots of activities, kids were stimulated and had fun, staff turnover was fairly low - a good experience. But, when we hit three kids, we figured out that someone who came in at 6:00am and left at 6:00 pm was about the same price. Plus, the kids didn't have to get up, eat a fast breakfast, and get loaded into the car early in the morning, they got to play in their own neighborhood with their own friends, using their own stuff, they got more individual attention, things were much more relaxed at the end of the day (no quick whisking kids away from whatever activity they were involved in at daycare, no rush to get home, get settled, and get dinner), they could play together if they wanted to (no age separation into classes like at daycare), or not, if they didn't, fewer colds/flu/whatevers, . . . .
It was just a ton better. It does all depend, of course, on finding the right nanny. We lucked out on that, to a great degree.
