We have been struggling with the decision... but finally said we are done with the program, and I feel so much better!! Right decision for sure!

We cancelled the whole thing too... just done with the program. Will figure something else out.

We just cancelled our match for September. The agencies are saying late January at the earliest for out of country....even then they are saying prepare for as late as March.

They are just making things up at this point I think; they have no idea when or if visas will resume and from what countries that could be able to travel.

Anonymous wrote:I still don’t understand why do all these perks, and extra, and workaround for someone who is not a professional, many times they are just a bored, not ambitious, imature young person, who has no clear plans for the future, nor great child development experience.
I was caught up in the” I dont have an alternative care” option for a while, until I broke that buble and it was a breath of fresh air.
Cost wise it is the same these days as having a nanny or day care.
Ou Au Pair spent all day sitting in front of a TV with ou baby, and we wondered why he was not walking yet or trying to say words... once we changed to a professional nanny, he walked in the first month, and started saying his words.

It is still way cheaper than a nanny. Trust me I’ve looked. Nannies want more money and perks now too.

And daycares - you just don’t know if they are going to close now - not reliable.

Don’t get me wrong - you get an average au pair and they will not be able to help much with schoolwork, etc.

Bad options all around now.

I still don’t understand why do all these perks, and extra, and workaround for someone who is not a professional, many times they are just a bored, not ambitious, imature young person, who has no clear plans for the future, nor great child development experience.
I was caught up in the” I dont have an alternative care” option for a while, until I broke that buble and it was a breath of fresh air.
Cost wise it is the same these days as having a nanny or day care.
Ou Au Pair spent all day sitting in front of a TV with ou baby, and we wondered why he was not walking yet or trying to say words... once we changed to a professional nanny, he walked in the first month, and started saying his words.

Anonymous wrote:I was just looking at the CCAP rematch aps - even the one who had a misunderstanding where she CHOKED her host kid is maxed out on connections! Craziness.

I didn't see that one. The one I saw was pinching and multiple incidents of what the au pair said happened didn't line up. Also heard, but haven't seen the profile of another who neglected a baby and caught on video leaving the child completely unattended.

Hell no.

There are crazies on both sides right now... au pairs saying they're up for extension in January, or asap for $500/week and host families making ridiculous ads about their many perks. One of the latest being a first time host family claiming they wanted au pair input in decorating the 800sq ft space for their potential au pair in a rematch group... got suggestions of a full length mirror, large screen smart tv, and mini fridge? Then claimed they're ordered and on the way.

Even a 1 kid family is going to lose out when a family promises 30 hour weeks with no nights and weekends ever, $400/week minimum stipend, dedicated au pair car with gas paid for by the family, and private master suite or apt in California.

By the way, au pairs are suddenly finding reasons for rematch or ones who said they'd extend months ago have suddenly changed their minds. Cultural Care said there's thousands of host families looking at only a few dozen au pairs. Even the one with allegations of child abuse hasn't been sent home, but was still in the system last week.

Anonymous wrote:We are. First timers. Considering pulling DD from daycare. I'm sure people are throwing money and perks at au pairs, we're not so we probably aren't very appealing but figured it'd be worth a shot. I'm hearing horror stories from some of the women where they've been caring for 4+ kids, we're a one kid family, easy 3 year old, nice accommodations, so hopefully that means something. Maybe not.

they will still look for perks. we had a bitter au pair who felt that she got the shaft bc we only had one kid, while her friends had 3 kids and the kids could play together, while she had to be the one to play with our kid (3 at the time). (gasp! you mean she had to do her job???!!)

I think OOC candidates are off the table for most families right now; at least matching....can still interview but with so many unknowns clicking the "match" button for January or February would be pretty dumb...candidate could back out, or that country still has a travel ban, or a better candidate comes on line in the next 6 months.

I cannot see why anyone would confirm a match with OOC unless Mary Poppins showed up on line or something.

I country is a different story, obviously.

We are a long time host family and we heard from our LCC that host families looking to match outnumber au pairs 7 to 1 right now. We were matched with a German AP due to arrive in August. First the arrival was pushed back to September and now at least until January. We have decided to go without an AP and see how it goes.

I was just looking at the CCAP rematch aps - even the one who had a misunderstanding where she CHOKED her host kid is maxed out on connections! Craziness.

We have given up... left the program for good now. All the energy, drama, perks, travel ban, visa ban, it is just woth it anymore for us. We wanted something that would help our lives, not make it this constant feeling of uncertainty, new challenges everyday, and it feels more to come.
We heard the “ horror” stories too.. and when talked to LCC and host parents, it was nothing like the au pair was telling us ( surprise, they lie!). They are looming for the best situation ever for them ( dont blame them), but it is not the best situation for us.
We have hired a nanny and it was the most wonderful decision!! We are so happy to not deal with any of that anymore, plus the true professional care.

We are. First timers. Considering pulling DD from daycare. I'm sure people are throwing money and perks at au pairs, we're not so we probably aren't very appealing but figured it'd be worth a shot. I'm hearing horror stories from some of the women where they've been caring for 4+ kids, we're a one kid family, easy 3 year old, nice accommodations, so hopefully that means something. Maybe not.

Yes, unless you are really desperate it is not worth it, lot of APs shopping for perks ( I dont blame them). We have 3 younger kids and have decided to manage on our own. Next possible arrival date with our agency is Jan 7th. Tbh I am not holding my breath. Our AP turn 27 in March, so we are her last chance otherwise I think we would have just cancelled the match in figured something else out.

We stopped interviewing when the J-1 visa ban was signed...just curious if anyone is still interviewing candidates and what arrival dates you are planning for?

We wanted an AP in September but now not sure it is even worth interviewing until the election or a change of policy....I have checked CCAP and seems that most APs that were maxed out are now available....minus extensions and rematches in country. Are most people holding off now like me?