According to most of the polls and comments we have had at the WAHM Study, the majority of work at home moms are using child care of some kind. For those WAHMs who would like a less traditional child care arrangement, is an au pair the answer?
An au pair is a young man or woman who comes from another country to live with a family and take care of the family’s children. The au pair is given room and board by the hosting family, along with a salary. The salary is generally around $200, depending on the specific duties required, the experience of the au pair, etc. The au pair may also travel with the family for business trips or vacations.
GreatAuPair is a fantastic resource for those moms considering an au pair or nanny. They have a terrific Frequently Asked Question section that gives information about expectations on both the part of the family and the au pair.
Hiring an au pair can be a difficult process because of the legalities and international issues involved. If you decide to go this route, it would be well worth the money to use a service like GreatAuPair to be sure that you are following the proper procedures. GreatAuPair will walk you through the matching process and the then help you find the resources that you need for background checks, visas, and immigration.
Balancing our work and our children is always on our minds. Finding a good child care solution for our families can help make that balance a reality.