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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Agree with others that the hidden costs of an au pair can add up.  While the cost of an au pair will probably* be less than a nanny, keep in mind you are giving up a year of privacy and taking on a greater emotional load with an AP than you would with a nanny.

Def look into a nanny share.

If you do pursue an au pair, screen very hard.  [b]Our AP claimed she had a ton of experience with babies; when she got here, it was clear she had never put on a diaper or fed a bottle.[/quote][/b]

They do this on purpose and it is well-known in the AP community.  They plan to re-match as soon as possible after they arrive.  They just need to get here. [/quote]

oh wow, that is good to know. We got an au pair for our 4 month old on an extension. She was already in the country though. She had no idea how to take care of a baby, but she didn't try to rematch. She didn't know how to change a diaper or how to wipe a baby. She wiped in the wrong direction and used the same wipe over and over again, even for poop. I didn't catch this until later, and thank goodness baby never got an infection.

She definitely oversold her driving skills, with a manual which is what our spare vehicle was.

Next time I am asking au pairs for videos on them driving and changing diaper on a doll. [/quote]

You get what you pay for.  Two close friends who are both doctors (anesthesiologist and surgeon) had two different au pairs and also a nanny (due to their long and on-call hours) during Covid because they couldn't find any nanny who would do all their crazy hours.  First au pair got pregnant half way through and then just left (after saying she would stick around for 3 more months so they could get another match then move in with the father) and the second one who said loved them and their kids got "home sick" and left a week later. They also paid above the weekly rate, gave bonuses and all sorts of things. It messed them up work wise.  They finally hired a great nanny who works their schedule and they pay a premium (benefits and OT too) for it.  They would NEVER get an au pair again.

On another note I saw both au pairs first hand (I WFH and cut down to PT during Covid) and both were awful.  Didnt watch the kids, always on their phones, walking away and leaving the baby and toddler on grass.  Their new nanny is EXCELLENT and even though the two kids are in school FT they will keep her on with their schedule.  The kids are doing better too.

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