Reply to Considering leaving au pair program after 2 mos for local childcare

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[quote=Anonymous]Our au pair has been with us 2 months. She is following on the heels of a wonderful nanny we had for 4 years full-time before our kids were all in school 9 - 3. Just as we made this transition at home, one of the managers at my work left and I got immediate responsibility for managing and hiring a bunch of people. At the same time as this unexpected stress, I realized that our au pair (22) was leaving hurriedly every morning and evening after shifts to smoke. Many times, the kids cereal bowls are left on the table when she goes out. I had thought she was practicing her driving for the first month but after I smelled the smoke repeatedly, I realized what was going on. One night I suspected she left she house to smoke while the kids were asleep to smoke while we were out. She gets along reasonably well with the kids, but I'm weighing this against how disappointing I'm finding her as a household helper and partner. What I am disappointed by is: 1) she smokes and lied about it on her application 2) it appears enough of an addiction for her to not want to finish her duties and 3) she seems to lack energy related to being a part of the family outside of her duties. Rather than rematching, I am considering seeking local childcare for about 20 hours, which is the actual time I need real help after school. I am thinking that the "perks" of a live-in au pair are missing and I need more of an adult to share true responsibility for the kids and household. I also am in a very different situation than I thought I'd be in when deciding to hire an au pair. Please advise - should I give rematching a shot? Should I cut bait and just go with local people I can interview, trial and have for more years to come? Thanks.[/quote]

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