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[quote=Anonymous]IMHO, after 6 Au Pairs, choosing is a crap shoot! 
 First, I looked for experience and took a transition.  She left and went off the grid after the first weekend (BTW, apparently had a BF in FL!) 
 Next was an older, more mature, nurses aide - eating disorder, complusive liar and thief.  Sent home in the 11th month.
Next, looked for more comparable child care experience (caring long hours for kids same age as mine).  Turns out that experience (along with driving) were totally fabricated.  I guess some people have no compunction about lying for others' references! AND beware of the fact that you can BUY a DL in MANY countries, no test needed!
Next, chose a young women who had been an AP in the UK, had a HM I could speak to, in English, who was Indian, so hopefully not a lying relative.  Got rave reviews.  Apparently, she cleaned up after the filthy  HM and acted as a chauffer for over-scheduled 13 yr old boy, so no interest in actually interacting with kids (oh and BTW, in the UK they only work 25 hours per week - so guess who was pissed about working 45?)  
Next looked for someone with goals (college-prep/gymnasium) and evidence of applying herself (14 years of serious ballet) and experience with younger children (taught ballet petite, had a little sister).  Turns out she barely graduated, was only in ballet due to control freak mother, had no interest in kids either!
So now, chose someone who worked a full time job in addition to going to school, has a little sister who she spontaneously raves about and plays serious soccer.  Trying again to see if we can get this right.  THings are actually going well but I have also changed my methods radically.  I have decided to micromanage the shit out of our APs.  It's not pleasant for her or me, but every time I want something done a certain way and it's not, I point it out on the spot.  I send emails several times a week detailing evert aspect.  I actually do think this AP is more together than the past ones, but I'm not giving her a chance to show me she is not![/quote]

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