If you quit the AP program during COVID

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that generally like the AP program, any noticeable differences in APs now v 2-3 years ago?

Absolutely. The entitlement is greater. The pandemic created a shortage of au pairs and high demand, which translated to host families keeping mediocre au pairs rather than letting them find new extension families or au pairs who found opportunities to make ridiculous demands from desperate host families (like $400+/week).

Follow the chatter in AP groups. APs that "require" host families with a 3rd car for their use. APs who will demand more than minimum stipend before arrival (which is before you can even see if they've lied about their childcare experience and can even do the job). APs that think donating plasma, dog walking, or babysitting on the side for extra money is perfectly ok because they're sending money home (you're just "mean" if you're saying helping out their family at home is wrong, even if it violates the terms of their visa) or they "need" it because $196.75 is simply "not enough money to do anything."

I do not recommend the au pair program to friends or family anymore because there are too many risks to the host kids, potential roommate issues, or other things to consider. I've seen the most ridiculous rematch documents in the last two years... au pairs rematching because they got caught with pot but it was only smoked during their free time or an au pair a few months into year 2 looking for their 5th family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those that generally like the AP program, any noticeable differences in APs now v 2-3 years ago?

Absolutely. The entitlement is greater. The pandemic created a shortage of au pairs and high demand, which translated to host families keeping mediocre au pairs rather than letting them find new extension families or au pairs who found opportunities to make ridiculous demands from desperate host families (like $400+/week).

Follow the chatter in AP groups. APs that "require" host families with a 3rd car for their use. APs who will demand more than minimum stipend before arrival (which is before you can even see if they've lied about their childcare experience and can even do the job). APs that think donating plasma, dog walking, or babysitting on the side for extra money is perfectly ok because they're sending money home (you're just "mean" if you're saying helping out their family at home is wrong, even if it violates the terms of their visa) or they "need" it because $196.75 is simply "not enough money to do anything."

I do not recommend the au pair program to friends or family anymore because there are too many risks to the host kids, potential roommate issues, or other things to consider. I've seen the most ridiculous rematch documents in the last two years... au pairs rematching because they got caught with pot but it was only smoked during their free time or an au pair a few months into year 2 looking for their 5th family.

Are you an LCC or a Host Family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those that generally like the AP program, any noticeable differences in APs now v 2-3 years ago?

Absolutely. The entitlement is greater. The pandemic created a shortage of au pairs and high demand, which translated to host families keeping mediocre au pairs rather than letting them find new extension families or au pairs who found opportunities to make ridiculous demands from desperate host families (like $400+/week).

Follow the chatter in AP groups. APs that "require" host families with a 3rd car for their use. APs who will demand more than minimum stipend before arrival (which is before you can even see if they've lied about their childcare experience and can even do the job). APs that think donating plasma, dog walking, or babysitting on the side for extra money is perfectly ok because they're sending money home (you're just "mean" if you're saying helping out their family at home is wrong, even if it violates the terms of their visa) or they "need" it because $196.75 is simply "not enough money to do anything."

I do not recommend the au pair program to friends or family anymore because there are too many risks to the host kids, potential roommate issues, or other things to consider. I've seen the most ridiculous rematch documents in the last two years... au pairs rematching because they got caught with pot but it was only smoked during their free time or an au pair a few months into year 2 looking for their 5th family.

My favorite rematch documents are the ones where the AP says, "I didn't adjust well to the suburbs". or "AP had to share a bathroom with the children who left toothpaste on the counter"

I'm not sure what APs expect.

[Anonymous]

Ha our AP donated plasma all the time! I think she said it was $125 each time. She just really wanted material luxury goods. I guess good for her for finding a way to make money but yeah… kind of sad that she put herself through that for designer names that don’t really matter. She also opened credit cards (not sure if she lied on the application or these companies are really giving cards out to non citizens with zero work history) and even though she’s gone, we still get all her credit card offers. I think she may have lied and said she owned a car, because we also get notices addressed to her about the warranty/recalls for an Audi. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha our AP donated plasma all the time! I think she said it was $125 each time. She just really wanted material luxury goods. I guess good for her for finding a way to make money but yeah… kind of sad that she put herself through that for designer names that don’t really matter. She also opened credit cards (not sure if she lied on the application or these companies are really giving cards out to non citizens with zero work history) and even though she’s gone, we still get all her credit card offers. I think she may have lied and said she owned a car, because we also get notices addressed to her about the warranty/recalls for an Audi. Sigh.

gotta have the perfect instagram look!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those that generally like the AP program, any noticeable differences in APs now v 2-3 years ago?

Absolutely. The entitlement is greater. The pandemic created a shortage of au pairs and high demand, which translated to host families keeping mediocre au pairs rather than letting them find new extension families or au pairs who found opportunities to make ridiculous demands from desperate host families (like $400+/week).

Follow the chatter in AP groups. APs that "require" host families with a 3rd car for their use. APs who will demand more than minimum stipend before arrival (which is before you can even see if they've lied about their childcare experience and can even do the job). APs that think donating plasma, dog walking, or babysitting on the side for extra money is perfectly ok because they're sending money home (you're just "mean" if you're saying helping out their family at home is wrong, even if it violates the terms of their visa) or they "need" it because $196.75 is simply "not enough money to do anything."

I do not recommend the au pair program to friends or family anymore because there are too many risks to the host kids, potential roommate issues, or other things to consider. I've seen the most ridiculous rematch documents in the last two years... au pairs rematching because they got caught with pot but it was only smoked during their free time or an au pair a few months into year 2 looking for their 5th family.

Unfortunately we are finding the same thing right now. Had great au pair experience pre covid and are having really frustrating experiences since. I'm hoping the right balance will return to the program because if not I'm done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those that generally like the AP program, any noticeable differences in APs now v 2-3 years ago?

Absolutely. The entitlement is greater. The pandemic created a shortage of au pairs and high demand, which translated to host families keeping mediocre au pairs rather than letting them find new extension families or au pairs who found opportunities to make ridiculous demands from desperate host families (like $400+/week).

Follow the chatter in AP groups. APs that "require" host families with a 3rd car for their use. APs who will demand more than minimum stipend before arrival (which is before you can even see if they've lied about their childcare experience and can even do the job). APs that think donating plasma, dog walking, or babysitting on the side for extra money is perfectly ok because they're sending money home (you're just "mean" if you're saying helping out their family at home is wrong, even if it violates the terms of their visa) or they "need" it because $196.75 is simply "not enough money to do anything."

I do not recommend the au pair program to friends or family anymore because there are too many risks to the host kids, potential roommate issues, or other things to consider. I've seen the most ridiculous rematch documents in the last two years... au pairs rematching because they got caught with pot but it was only smoked during their free time or an au pair a few months into year 2 looking for their 5th family.

Unfortunately we are finding the same thing right now. Had great au pair experience pre covid and are having really frustrating experiences since. I'm hoping the right balance will return to the program because if not I'm done.

Yup. we quit once we were used for a visa because we were an NIE family. She really screwed us over. Had another match lined up. Hello, there was a reason why NIE families could get a visa for APs when other families couldn't--we had a dire need. the agencies just looked the other way.