Advice or experiences for family getting an au pair?

We are having an au pair to come over from France in January, to help over a difficult time as I'm unwell and expecting the fourth baby - my husband works away a lot. I'm a bit worried as we've never done this before, any experiences or advice?Advice or experiences for family getting an au pair?
You get what you pay for. Most au pairs have little or no child care experience- they just want a 'working' holiday. I would advise you to employ a part time english qualified and experienced nanny. Your children deserve this.Advice or experiences for family getting an au pair?
In response to your question, feeling comfortable with her is the most important thing. She will be taking care of the most important people in your life and therefore thinking alike is a good thing. With regards to Nickthesurfers answer, I am a REGISTERED CHILDMINDER who is not only a mum of two bright, sociable and lovely children but I also have an NVQ level 3 in childcare, have done numerous courses and have many happy parents who leave their children with me. So a ';childminder'; is a very good option and not an easy job or a cop out! Also I think he might find that an au pair has little or no training so therefore needs more direction when taking care of little ones. I am also very professional in the way I conduct myself and my business. This is not only the job I love but it is my income so cannot be slack where that is concerned.


Anyway, frustration now vented, back to the original question.


The best way to forge the relationship with your au pair is to have very clear ideas of what you both expect of each other, that way there is no treading on toes or resentment from either party. Good luck with your new baby and your au pair!


Merry Christmas
choose a big fat girl, so your husband does not get any ideas !!
You get what you pay for!





A cheap 'child minder' will not be as good as a fully qualified nanny, with child caring experience etc. Also, the level of professionalism will be a lot lower!
hmmm...i was an au pair for a year...changed family because the firstones made me eat moshroom salad every day...pls don't do that to her :o)





other than that: make sure you feel commfaortable with the person. if not it can be living hell...





it's all a question of different personalities. you might get really lucky or dissapointed...





all the best to you and your family...





hey: i had not much experience when i went there - but in the second family nobody ever complained AND it wasn't a holliday at all i can tell you. still love the people i was with.....
i help no way. sorry. bye for now.
I've had many au-pairs, and it isn't always easy - lets say that each time it is a new adventure. They aren't ';cheap childminders'; and a lot easier to deal with than nannies!!! I would not employ in my home a nanny - aupairs have plus and minus of course. As you will be in the home with her, at least during your pregnancy, you will be able to offset most of the minus!!!





First of all, it depends on how well you will personally ';click'; with the au-pair. As she will be living with you, you will have to spend lots of time with her - so your level of comfort will be very dependent on how well you two will get along.





Second, make sure you clarify your expectations as soon as possible when she arrives- I suggest you write them down, and give her a copy, then sit down with her and explain her clearly. This should include her tasks in the house (cleaning? ironing? how? food preparation? food shopping? carrying it in the house?), time schedules (wake-up time, lunch time, pick up the kids... rules and exceptions), allergies if applicable, days off and vacations, people she can invite over (if any) and on what warning, usage of the car (if any) and insurance requirements, who pay for gasoline on her time off.





Third, you need to show her how your home work, and how you do things. Take her around the neighbourhood, and show her where she can find the basics: stores, post office, etc. As a welcome gift, a guide book of your state is a good idea... maybe she will take some time out!!!





Fourth, and important. Make sure you clarify what is family time - when you need privacy!!! you may want to provide her with a private TV so your family room is ';family only'; some evenings in the week. Have wireless in the house, so she could use a laptop. It can be difficult to loose your privacy.





Aupairs are a great choice, not cheap, but a good one especially as it exposes your children to many different languages and way of life. It isn't always easy to live with someone you did not choose... but it can be a great experience (or a terrible one...in the years, I had both!!! sometimes I think I should write a book...).