Our morning/bedtime routines are a mess--good candidate or bad for AP?
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Anonymous
| We have two preschool age children and our morning and bedtime routines are super challenging each and every day. On one hand hosting an au pair seems like it could be helpful in our situation, but on the other hand I am kind of embarrassed at the idea of another person (outside our family) witnessing the chaos that takes place each morning/evening. Would welcome any thoughts! |
Anonymous
I don’t think an Au pair would fix the problem. Au pair who do well do so because there is already structure in place. It would be help to know what kind of chaos you are talking about in order to give you meaningful advice. Is it chaotic because you bring work home and struggle to find to at the end of the day or you struggle to find time at the morning before work? If it’s a matter of being stretched thin, the right Au pair might if have them help with the morning routine and you do have he bedtime, but you have to have some king of structure. It is a matter of kids being hyper with a combination of lack of structure it will be hard to find an Au pair who would help. Think of Au pair as young adult just out of high school or college who still trying to figure their life out. |
Anonymous
| You need to pull your lives together. Au pairs are young and inexperienced and looking to you to set the tone and schedule. |
Anonymous
|
It does depend on the reasons that things are so chaotic. If another set of hands would be a big help, then sure consider an AP. If it's deep-rooted behavior issues, then a parenting coach or family therapist might be a better way to spend your money.
If you do decide to go the AP route, just be really transparent in your interview process about the ways in which things are challenging and how specifically you are looking for the AP to help. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| You need to work on the routine before you get an au pair. Not expect them to do it for you. What are the specific issues? |