Why an au pair might be the wrong childcare solution for your family

People never stop surprising me and every day is different. I provide childcare solutions for families who need help raising their children. When I talk to people about hosting an Au Pair sometimes I find out they aren’t right for the program and it's not for the reasons you would think.

Hosting an au pair might not be right for your family if you are expecting childcare and housekeeping services.

There are many really great reasons for hosting an au pair but there are just as many reasons why the au pair program might not be right for your family. Some families don’t have extra room for an au pair. You will need an extra bedroom. An au pair can’t work more than 45 hours per week and some families need childcare for 60 to 80 hours per week. If they don’t have a service to supplement their need for childcare the program won’t be right for them. Of course, if they have enough space the family could always host two au pairs.

For some parents paying a childcare center while they travel for work is a better option. Parents who work long hours, may appreciate having childcare convenient to their workplace. Nursing moms can take breaks throughout the day to visit their baby. Both parents have the option of spending quality time with their children in the mornings and in the evenings while commuting to and from work. When a child is sick, a parent can quickly come to pick up the child from school.
For other parents having a Nanny is a great option. Like an au pair a nanny typically lives with the family. They can work part-time, full time and/or overtime. They often become the child(ren)s long-term care providers. They do not seek a cultural exchange experience and are considered employees. Parents seeking an experienced childcare provider, who is older, more mature and willing to assume additional household task should consider hiring a nanny. Nannies can perform task such as cooking and doing the laundry for the parents as well as the kids, iron sheets and shirts, grocery shop and run errands, cleaning the house, walking the dog and/ or cleaning the cat litter box.
All of these tasks fall outside the duties of an au pair.
Au Pairs may only be asked to do Childcare-Related Tasks.

In case you don’t know the difference between an au pair and a nanny: Au pairs are students who come to America for one to two years, become extended family, take care their host children and gain a cultural exchange experience. They may work flexible hours during a work week but no more than 45 hours of childcare per week. They receive a weekly stipend and the cost is extremely affordable in comparison to traditional childcare services and/or nanny service.
However, if you need more than 45 hours of childcare support per week and you don’t have a childcare service to supplement the extra time needed, than hosting an au pair may not be the right fit for your family. Again, if you have enough room there is always the option of hosting two au pairs.

Au Pairs are not considered employees. They are an addition to the family unit and often become lifelong members, however, they only stay one to two years at a time with the family. The experience isn’t for everyone but many families enjoy the cultural exchange and peace of mind.
Even for families, with just one child, a demanding work schedule, may make having an au pair impossible, but the sometimes because of the low cost involved adding the service of a cleaning lady who comes in once a week is a possibility.
When families grow and have more than two children, more stuff began falling through the cracks, childcare cost can double and hosting an au pair begins to really make sense. Some might think it’s a luxury, but most host families will agree today parents must focus on their careers in order to get a head and having a safe, loving, clean, not insane home life is a key part of their success.
Hopefully this blog will help you decided what the best childcare option is for your family. Either way, do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of help or if you have questions about hosting an au pair.