We loved (most of) our au pairs, but for the children, having a new person every year (at least) was a bit wrenching, precisely because they did get attached to them. For me, it was always a chance to start fresh and try to correct for any pet peeves, but the children didn't always feel that way.

I get your point OP.

I am a single mom and while my children are older (9 and nearly 12), and I could use aftercare and manage dropoff/pickup myself, I find that I still need and appreciate the help from my AP. I have had several breaks between au pairs where I tried it out (aftercare, doing it all), and I found I was able to, but exhausted and not having much free time at all to myself.

If I were married still or had a partner at home, I could totally see being done with the program at this point. But my situation makes it hard. I enjoyed the empty house, $$ saved, and all the jazz the PP says. It would be so nice.

But every situation is different.

Anonymous wrote:We just finished the program and I have one kid who comes home alone and one in aftercare and it is GLORIOUS!!! Wish we had exitws the program earlier because i find it so easy to handle. We never needed morninh care , so weve always got our kids ready ourselves. I actually enjoy sitting down drinking my coffee and talking to them.

I do not miss the program for one split second. We had 2 remarkable APs and even them, i do not miss. Food is easier, being in my home is easier, cars are easier, and family dinners are oh so nice! We turned our AP room in the basement to a gym and each morning I go down there, workout and shower in the basement bathroom. I absolutely love it.

I.cannot.wait.for.this.day!

Anonymous wrote:We just finished the program and I have one kid who comes home alone and one in aftercare and it is GLORIOUS!!! Wish we had exitws the program earlier because i find it so easy to handle. We never needed morninh care , so weve always got our kids ready ourselves. I actually enjoy sitting down drinking my coffee and talking to them.

I do not miss the program for one split second. We had 2 remarkable APs and even them, i do not miss. Food is easier, being in my home is easier, cars are easier, and family dinners are oh so nice! We turned our AP room in the basement to a gym and each morning I go down there, workout and shower in the basement bathroom. I absolutely love it.

Congrats. Why bother still following this discussion board then?? Odd gloating??

To the OP -- we had a similar experience this summer. The helping hands, esp with little ones can definitely reduce stress. A friend once said, you know you have a good au pair when they reduce your stress level. Totally agree.

We just finished the program and I have one kid who comes home alone and one in aftercare and it is GLORIOUS!!! Wish we had exitws the program earlier because i find it so easy to handle. We never needed morninh care , so weve always got our kids ready ourselves. I actually enjoy sitting down drinking my coffee and talking to them.

I do not miss the program for one split second. We had 2 remarkable APs and even them, i do not miss. Food is easier, being in my home is easier, cars are easier, and family dinners are oh so nice! We turned our AP room in the basement to a gym and each morning I go down there, workout and shower in the basement bathroom. I absolutely love it.

We are on our 5th AP who is new, two months in. After one terrible (rematch) and an average one we have our best yet. When it works with the chemistry with children and the entire family and the balance of having someone live with you there is no better option for us. We have school aged as well and could do after care or nanny/house manager but prefer the AP experience....especially when you get one that clicks life is good. It makes up for the "unclicked" times, quickly.

Now that the children are old enough for before & after-care, my husband & I were debating whether we still needed an au pair and whether having a portion of our house back, and $5-7K back, would offset the inconvenience of drop off & pick up.

Then our au pair took her two weeks vacation and there is no debate to be had! The child are so cranky and difficult when passing back & forth between back-up babysitters (school & thus aftercare is closed 1/3 of the year!). We can't get dinner on the table before 7pm when we pick up from daycare at 6. Getting ourselves ready in the morning, getting two kids ready, dropping them off, then commuting in traffic. . . .

It's possible, we've done it before, most families do it, but my goodness, I am glad my au pair is coming back next week!!! It's so worth the little annoyances.