Yeah, because no one has ever hired an au pair or a nanny before. Crazy times we're living in. Seriously guys, for a lot of us to make ends meet these days, both parents have to work. Do those of us who are interested in the op's question a favor and save your smug commentary for some other thread.

I too get tired of all the self rigorous people telling me how to run my life. Stick to the question and save the social commentary. Or become a progressive liberal. They live to tell others how to live.

Getting a little help is hardly "sub-contracting" out parenting. I'd imagine they'll still have the ability to parent as much or more than a typical two-job couple, given his ability to be home 12+ Full days/mo vs. a 9-5er who has 8-9 days plus a few worn out hours each evening.

That said I'm all for doing what you have to in order to keep the help to a minimum - it's all give and take. Since 9/11 I've sacrificed significantly in potential pay/progress to maximize my family time. Wife only part-time substitute teaches when it's convenient and I spent many years at crappy regional FO pay to have the ability to not commute and have schedule control. As a result I've been to at least 95% of my kids' events and the wife is always available to them, but no I cannot loan you any money.

BUT.... with certain opportunities that fit your goals you bite the bullet and make it work for a time in order to meet the end goals. Just be sure to remember what's really important in life (hint: it ain't flying).

Good luck bluelion and I'll see you at the training center.

Agree.. Opinions are like A-holes. There's no shortage

If you are going to go the young European live-in au pair route, hire the ugliest one you can. My anecdotal evidence shows that the father will be tempted to sleep with the nanny, so maybe hiring ugly will help prevent that. Oh hell, scratch that, hire the hottest one you can, you're going to bone her anyway, it might as well be epic!!

Nothing like a hot Euro au pair to test the marriage... wife is modern day Gloria Steinem.... ready to conquer the world and needs to validate her self worth amongst the other females, CPA's, lawyers, PMs, etc... doesn't want to mumble 'stay at home mom' at social gatherings, while all the professional women look at their shoes or find an excuse to move to another circle...

But enough with the identity crises Mom, the real losers are the kids. Of course they love the justification their 'rents give that they are getting culture from an Euro Au Pair.... (the au pair couldn't care, wants US shopping and a boyfriend) Mommy says you're supposed to teach me culture... What? au pair says... there is a sale at Hollister... I'll buy you ice cream with mommy's money.... (****ed her au pair friend drives a BMW and she's stuck hauling around your most valuable (really?) possessions in an Accord.

No one loves or cares about your kids as much as you do... no one.

Women are in a real quandary.... it's either Mom or work...or get hubby to be a Mr. Mom.... just because society makes its ok, doesn't make it right.... I've seen the Moms in the crewroom on the phone, explaining why Mommy has to work to their kids... kids don't care if mom is an astronaut... they want their mom.

Ever notice how a majority of female pilots have airline pilots and/or MIL types as husbands....

Yeah, ladies... go prove to the world you have value... your kids don't mind...

Well, what a surprise! It only took 2 pages for the lecturing and "hire a hot one" posts to be made. The OP asked a legitimate question, yet has to read obnoxious posts. Way to go, APCers!

FWIW, I have no experience with au pairs, nannies, babysitters, etc., as I was a stay-at-home mom and had the good fortune to have relatives/friends babysit occasionally. Our family sacrified financially, but I wanted to raise my children. Other couples may not have that luxury, so give the guy a break, OK??

Maybe some of us are already at where some are going and used some humor to get the point across... which is... kids.

Don't go to the pig sty then complain you got crap on your shoes...

Out of sheer curiosity, how much does it cost for a live in nanny or a 40 hr per week one?

Somewhat dated information alert. I was seeing around $2000-2500 per month for a nanny with experience with a special needs child. I was looking about 3-4 years ago.

Because I was really looking in the past was why I was asking the OP about his decision of choosing an au pair instead of a nanny. It wasn't to be rude. There's really a difference between the two.