"How can my family benefit from hosting an au pair"?

On my previous blog I touched on some reasons why an au pair might not  for everyone. Now we will look at some of the benefits to hosting an au pair.

Flexible, flexible, flexible: Did I say flexible?  To me this is a huge bonus! An au pair is only allowed to work for 45 hours a week and no more then 10 hours in one day, BUT it can be at any point during the day.  If you need someone to make your kids lunches, get them on the bus in the morning and meet them when they get home from school, an au pair may be your your best bet.  Are there practices and rehearsals the keep you driving all over town in the afternoon?  An au pair can help you with that.    But wait!  There's more! Do you want someone who is musical?  Would you like to have someone with a college degree to help with homework and school projects?  How about someone to help your children learn Mandarin, or French.  Those are options with an au pair.  What daycare center is going to do all of that for you?

Do you want to your children learn about the world?: Always remember that this program is at its heart, a cultural exchange.  With an au pair in your home, you and your family will be exposed to not only a new language, but different foods and customs.  You all will have the opportunity to explore what life may be like in another part of the word and all from the comfort of your own home.  This is not just a one-sided deal, however. Through you and your children the au pair will learn about American life and customs and she will deepen her understanding of the English language.  For all involved the memories created during the year (or two) that an au pair is with you will last forever.

Do you long for an extra set of hands?: An au pair can help you find a good work/ life balance. She can get those lunches made when you are running around during a hectic morning.  She can tidy up after a messy art project or throw the muddy pants in the wash after a good romp in the rain. She can watch your kids and feed them if you have a late meeting.  Time-strapped moms and dads can take a well deserved opportunity spend a nice evening out together knowing that someone is holding down the fort at home.

All of this is wrapped into an affordable price tag?: In this economy with two parents working to pay the bills, it is often hard to find affordable childcare especially if you have more than one child.  The cost for an au pair is $340 a week whether you have one child or four.  That is much less than most daycare centers .

Remember that this program is about forming  a relationship, not one of employee/employer, but one of family.  A family who just met, but one who will forge amazing memories together.  An au pair can be such an asset to a family in more ways than you can even imagine.  Please let me know if you have any questions or you can view available au pairs at  goaupair.com