Just flirting with the idea now, but I would like to hear any opinions, experiences, et cetera.
A couple questions that have come up - do the hosts typically cover relocation costs and visas (if needed)? One listing mentioned airfare - not sure what is standard. Also, are the agreements actual contracts, or are they just standing arrangements? I wonder what happens if something doesn't work out.
Thanks in advance for your input :)
Go for a swedish one [thumbsup]
Aren't there agencies that do this. Seem to remember an employer many years ago used an agency.
i have some second hand experience with au pairs.
my stepmother brought the same one over from france for my two youngest brothers (they were 5 and 10 if i recall) every summer when they were growing up. she was really nice, although not as good looking as i had hoped for (i was 17 when she first showed up.)
and..........another brother dated a swedish nanny when we were in college. she was drop dead gorgeous, and she broke his heart.
not sure what good my input has been, but you asked....
Quote from: factorPlayer on January 22, 2009, 12:56:55 AM
Go for a swedish one [thumbsup]
http://www.greataupair.com/search_aupairs.cfm/type/nationality (http://www.greataupair.com/search_aupairs.cfm/type/nationality) :)
Alongside the height and weight measurements that are provided for reasons that I can only assume are recreational, there should be an "on a scale from one to ten, how worried will I make your wife?" entry on the questionnaire.
Quote from: T. Rush on January 22, 2009, 04:15:12 AM
Aren't there agencies that do this. Seem to remember an employer many years ago used an agency.
I did a little more digging, and it looks like you go through an agency to take care of the contract, visa and other legalities, but it appears the option to DIY is there. Just curious if anyone has done it either way.
Quote from: herm on January 22, 2009, 06:07:34 AM
i have some second hand experience with au pairs.
my stepmother brought the same one over from france for my two youngest brothers (they were 5 and 10 if i recall) every summer when they were growing up. she was really nice, although not as good looking as i had hoped for (i was 17 when she first showed up.)
and..........another brother dated a swedish nanny when we were in college. she was drop dead gorgeous, and she broke his heart.
not sure what good my input has been, but you asked....
I think what you mean here is "+1 Swedish nanny" :P
yes, at least in my experience, the swedish nanny is going to be hotter, and more of a party er......
wait, that doesnt work for you...
Quote from: il d00d on January 22, 2009, 11:13:09 AM
http://www.greataupair.com/search_aupairs.cfm/type/nationality (http://www.greataupair.com/search_aupairs.cfm/type/nationality) :)
Hey nice find there... Thinking I suddenly need an au pair now - think they'll notice I'm a single guy with no kids?
I bet Emma (http://www.greataupair.com/fastfind.cfm/locatorID/903484/page/2/pagelist/1/searchType/Advanced/aupairShortStay/1/aupairStartDate/0/countryList/0/pref/0/nationalityReq/1/nationalityList/24/displayRows/5) wouldn't mind too much ;D
I have experience in hiring au-pairs.
Go to Europair.com.
These young ladies are from around the world and are awesome.
We had 3 nannies in 3 years one from South Africa, one from Germany and the last from Mexico.They were all college students etc etc.
Ok you will get screened by the US Govt and agencies before you even get close to bringing one of these girls in.You will need to give them their own bed/bath and a years worth of health ins up front plus a roundtrip ticket.We spent $6k to get the girls to Oregon and then it was $145 a week for their work plus the cost of their community college.
They were all extremely nice young ladies and at any time of the week there was at least 5 different languages being spoken in my home.
Awesome experience.
Quote from: factorPlayer on January 22, 2009, 06:39:04 PM
Hey nice find there... Thinking I suddenly need an au pair now - think they'll notice I'm a single guy with no kids?
I bet Emma (http://www.greataupair.com/fastfind.cfm/locatorID/903484/page/2/pagelist/1/searchType/Advanced/aupairShortStay/1/aupairStartDate/0/countryList/0/pref/0/nationalityReq/1/nationalityList/24/displayRows/5) wouldn't mind too much ;D
I uh, I might need to talk to the wife about getting an au pair.....
Quote from: squidwood on January 22, 2009, 06:53:01 PM
I have experience in hiring au-pairs.
Go to Europair.com.
These young ladies are from around the world and are awesome.
We had 3 nannies in 3 years one from South Africa, one from Germany and the last from Mexico.They were all college students etc etc.
Ok you will get screened by the US Govt and agencies before you even get close to bringing one of these girls in.You will need to give them their own bed/bath and a years worth of health ins up front plus a roundtrip ticket.We spent $6k to get the girls to Oregon and then it was $145 a week for their work plus the cost of their community college.
They were all extremely nice young ladies and at any time of the week there was at least 5 different languages being spoken in my home.
Awesome experience.
+1
We are on our second Au pair. The first was from Ecuador and was an amazing fit. Very helpful and the kids love her! Then she got a boyfriend. It went a little downhill from there but nothing that affected her job performance.
The new au pair is also from Ecuador. She is 26 and was a school teacher in her country. She is a great disciplinarian and is extremely helpful.
I actually lobbied hard for a Brazilian competitive swimmer whose resume we checked out but wifey would have none of that.....too over the top gorgeous.
Interexchange is the service we went with and the prices are right in line with Squidwoods above. Couldnt imagine doing it without one.
This thread is being terribly helpful-the wifey and I are considering one should we have kids.
Its nice because you can literally choose one that brings something cool to the table. Right now my 2.5 years old understand and speak English and Spanish. My 6 year old has a built in tutor.
Im sure the Brazilian 11 would have taught them Portuguese and how to swim...
Quote from: rgramjet on January 23, 2009, 11:15:36 AM
Im sure the Brazilian 11 would have taught them Portuguese and how to swim...
She also could've taught you how to get divorced in record time. :P
Quote from: MrIncredible on January 23, 2009, 11:18:25 AM
She also could've taught you how to get divorced in record time. :P
I dont shit where I sleep.
Funny how many of my friends would drop by unexpectedly to catch a glimpse of the first au pair walking around in tiny terry cloth shorts and halter top. Several guys at my community pool offered to pay my yearly membership. She wore the closest thing to a Thong my lily white pool had ever seen!
Another friend had an au pair nightmare. One of his buddies decided to start dating my friends au pair. Next thing you know they were all going out to dinner together and they had to find a baby sitter because the au pair was now unavailable! His wife went crazy and fired the au pair.
funny, you would think a SO would worry more about the Emma's of the world (see link above)... than drop-dead gorgeous Brazilian swimmers?
Quote from: rgramjet on January 22, 2009, 09:17:01 PM
+1
We are on our second Au pair. The first was from Ecuador and was an amazing fit. Very helpful and the kids love her! Then she got a boyfriend. It went a little downhill from there but nothing that affected her job performance.
The new au pair is also from Ecuador. She is 26 and was a school teacher in her country. She is a great disciplinarian and is extremely helpful.
I actually lobbied hard for a Brazilian competitive swimmer whose resume we checked out but wifey would have none of that.....too over the top gorgeous.
Interexchange is the service we went with and the prices are right in line with Squidwoods above. Couldnt imagine doing it without one.