We haven't increased pay. We make our AP's life pretty generally easy though, especially right now. We also do not restrict her social activities, which I know many families do. And we are very lax on vacation, basically allowing her to go anytime she'd like especially this summer while kids are in camp. I feel like the lack of restrictions is worth more to them than the pay. But I guess we will find out if she leaves us for another family that is offering all the perks many of you mention!

Anonymous wrote:Gosh. No wonder we haven't been able to compete for one of the few au pairs left lol. $400 a week on top of the program fees? $2k bonus?

I'm new to this entire world, scrambling for in-home childcare, but after reading about how some families really work their au pairs (3+ kids!), my last hope is probably to match with an au pair that just wants a break because we only have one lol *fingers crossed*

We have 3 kids who play with each other all the times, my AP and her friends have told me they prefer at least two kids who can entertain each other a bit. Most au pairs want the whole package and if all you are offering is "only one kid" that won't cut it.

Anonymous wrote:Well, that is the other issue right? They dont
pay their taxes, nor have any regrets about it, especially the Brazilian ones...they expect things to be handed to them, but with no reaponsibilities of their own...

What a bloody generalization. Not every AP dodge paying their taxes but either way, if I was them I wouldn't have much regret either, they pay more taxes than a fair amount of Americans and it gives them right to absolutely nothing.

All my European au pairs paid taxes.

Well, that is the other issue right? They dont
pay their taxes, nor have any regrets about it, especially the Brazilian ones...they expect things to be handed to them, but with no reaponsibilities of their own...

$0.

If your AP actually files taxes like they're supposed to, they're liable for taxes on increased pay. 10% tax = $20 for $200 and $25 for $250. Still $45 more, but why hand the government the $5 when your au pair can have $50?

Gifts are the way to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are paying $500. For real. I just sort of spontaneously said it tbh - at that point we had already had her for two years. It started when school was cancelled and has continued. She has extended with us through December - we feel very lucky.

if you have had yours over 2 years does that mean shes not legal anymore?
If you are not paying program fees it makes sense to give more to the au pair

No, APs in second year now have the ability to extend for 6 month during the visa ban.

We increased ours to $300/week. I don't think she was expecting it and was greatly appreciative.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are paying $500. For real. I just sort of spontaneously said it tbh - at that point we had already had her for two years. It started when school was cancelled and has continued. She has extended with us through December - we feel very lucky.

if you have had yours over 2 years does that mean shes not legal anymore?
If you are not paying program fees it makes sense to give more to the au pair

She is totally legal - fell in the category of au pairs that were able to extend for two months and then another six.

Anonymous wrote:We are paying $500. For real. I just sort of spontaneously said it tbh - at that point we had already had her for two years. It started when school was cancelled and has continued. She has extended with us through December - we feel very lucky.

if you have had yours over 2 years does that mean shes not legal anymore?
If you are not paying program fees it makes sense to give more to the au pair

We increased ours to $250, but I totally regret it. She left us for another family who was offering her bonus, and this and that. To us, the program has lost all its meaning, it has become just this supply and demand negotiation, for a service that is not even that great and professional to start with. We started wondering why we would spend all this money on a young lady who is not a professional caregiver, versus getting a nanny or day care? We have moved on from the program, and don't intent in considering it again so soon.... too many huddles.

We increased our APs pay to $250 a week, but we make limit her hours to 6 hours a day during week. She is just ok, but we felt bad since prior to this she was only working a few hours in the morning and a few hours after school. We were also worried that she would just leave and go back home since there is nothing to do here anymore except stay at home.