Incident with an Au Pair from South Africa

[Anonymous]

Dear Moms and Dads,

I recently had a bad experience with an au pair from South Africa. I wont name names or the agency but she arrived in February from South Africa, she has gone into rematch this week.
If you interview anyone, I would caution you to at least do some due diligence on her mental health and well-being.
Overall, she was sweet but I thought to share this in case she goes to another family in the area. Innocent Kids get impacted with this sort of stuff and it breaks my heart how the au pair and other people in the process are impacted.
Definitely a lesson to be learned in general as we all interview au pairs or other child care providers.

[Anonymous]

Your description doesn't help a lot. You are not saying what was the incident. If you want to help other families no to make same mistakes. Lots of Ap from South Africa are being interviewed everywhere now.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your comment. Since I am not a mental health professional i was hesitating to mention a suspected diagnosis.... but in summary her mood was erratic (happy a few minutes and then crying the next; she also shared some personal disturbing[u] experiences in her history which were reminders to her as she played with my kids).... I let her go immediately because I didnt think a mindset like that was going to be helpful. I didn't feel safe having her with my kids anymore I hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Dear Aupairs- There is a family who recently had an aupair from South Africa and is now posting vague warnings about her online- this could be you next. Please be careful and interview their previous caregivers, to make sure this is a good fit and that they do not abuse hours and that the parents are emotionally and mentally healthy.

[Anonymous]

Yea, I had one like that. Cut bait with her real fast. It was at the start of the npandemic. She proceeded to go through FOUR yes FOUR other families before she got sent home.not one person called me for a reference. I've come to the conclusion is all parents are about is cheap convenient childcare.

[Anonymous]

Lol au pairs are not cheap childcare. Yeah the stipend is only $200 but you are on the hook for so much more. Which you would know if you were an actual host?? And yeah isn’t everyone looking for convenient childcare? Are other parents looking for inconvenient childcare?

Your comment is confusing.