AP for two small children

[Anonymous]

I've been interested in au pairs, and now I'm facing the reality of having two kids in day care and it seems even more helpful logistically, financially etc.

The catch - I will have two kids under 2 - a 19 month old and a 4 month old. Is this too much for an AP to handle? I thought I would keep daycare for the older for the APs first few months but then shift both to AP

Interested in your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Aren't there laws or rules about how old children have to be in Au Pair programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren't there laws or rules about how old children have to be in Au Pair programs?

Yes, 3 months.

[Anonymous]

There are several posts on this recently.

[Anonymous]

Our AP joined us when we had a 3 yo and a 6 month old and it's worked out really well. Just find some one with real baby experience, and not from volunteering at a daycare for a month to earn the minimum hours. Find some one who's worked as a nanny in her home country or a nurse's assistant in a hospital.

When your older one becomes two and can do a couple hours of preschool a few mornings a week, that'll be worth considering but a few months without shouldn't be a problem. Check out the toddler and infant programs at your local library, rec center, arts center, and the zoo - getting out of the house at least once a day will help keep everyone sane.

[Anonymous]

Oh, some Montessori preschools also offer a toddler program a couple times a week. That might be worth looking into. I find that having a program for the older child, even just a couple hours at a time, helps give the baby some one-on-one time and the older one a chance to socialize in his age group. Also gives the AP a break in the day.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people have au pairs for kids this young - it's really up to you whether you're comfortable with it. FWIW, not all au pairs are 19yos looking to party. There are a large number that have significant child care experience - you just have to take the time to find one. We've had great success with Au Pair in America's Extraordinaire program. It's a bit more expensive, but we've had candidates that have years of child care experience and education and who have been amazing care providers for our kids. I would suggest going that route with kids this young.

[Anonymous]

I am a mom and I am not sure I could do it. This is a tough gig