The Pros and Cons of Having an Au Pair

Hosting an au pair is a great option for many families seeking childcare, especially those with unique scheduling needs. Like any childcare arrangement, hosting an au pair has its pros and cons. 

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at both sides of the equation to help you decide if an au pair is the best choice for your family.

Pros:

Helps beyond child care: Hiring an au pair can assist with household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry, in addition to child care. However, it's important to note that an au pair is not a housekeeper, and their primary responsibility should always be to the children.

Language and culture exposure: Hosting an au pair from a different country can be a great way to expose your family to new languages, cultures, and traditions. This can be a valuable learning opportunity for both you and your children.

Extended family member: An au pair can become an extended member of your family, providing an intercultural experience for everyone involved. Many families form strong bonds with their au pairs and stay in touch long after their time together has ended.

Extra driver: If your family has a busy schedule, having an au pair who can drive can be a huge help. They can drive your children to school, activities, and appointments, freeing up your time and reducing stress.

Flexibility: Unlike traditional childcare arrangements, an au pair's schedule can be flexible. This can be particularly useful if you have a non-traditional work schedule or need occasional evening or weekend childcare.

Cons:

Adjusting space to live with another person: Hosting an au pair means making space for another person in your home. This can be challenging if you have limited space, and it's important to consider how you'll accommodate your au pair before deciding to host.

Privacy: Hosting an au pair means sharing your home with another person. This can impact your family's privacy, particularly if you're used to having your own space.

Communication hurdles: Cultural or language barriers may impact communication depending on where your au pair is from. 

May not be a good fit: As much as you hope that your au pair blends seamlessly into your family, there is always the chance that things just don’t work out. Perhaps the au pair was only interested in exploring the US and isn’t into childcare, or their personality doesn’t gel with your family. It’s hard to tell by meeting someone virtually whether they will be a perfect fit. 

Added costs: Although au pairs work primarily in exchange for room and board and get paid a small weekly stipend, some additional costs are associated with hosting an au pair. You’ll need to add them to your car insurance, provide them with a cell phone and include them in any family outings. Although it may still be less expensive than other childcare options, it’s good to consider these additional costs.