Starting my new job at AA soon, I anticipate that I will be gone often- so to help the wife we are considering getting an au pair. Does anybody have any experiences with one- recommend? Good/bad? thanks, I would appreciate anybody's experiences!

We hired a nanny. My wife did all of the legwork in getting applicants. She used care.com. We use the nanny 6 hours a day 3-5 days a week depending on my schedule. We got a 19yo that was going to junior college part time. She has worked well but has a hard time getting here on time. My recommendation is if you need her there at 700am hold the interview at 700am. The "nanny tax" is a pain to get set up. You have to file forms through the IRS, get an Employer Identification Number, withhold and pay taxes quarterly. I'd recommend getting quickbooks or similar to take care of all of that. My wife just created a spreadsheet but messed up the state unemployment withholdings. Take the kids to the interview and see how they interact. Maybe try them out babysitting for a night or two before commiting to hiring them.

Thanks- appreciate the info. We are looking at a live in au pair from Europe. So show time won't be an issue. Wondering if anyone else out there has had a live in?

You have to pay a fee but for some it is WELL WORTH the cost not to have to do everything viper mentioned. they take care of it all - and to different degrees depending on your wants/needs.

NannyChex

My wife used to work for Nanny Poppinz, depending on the area a conventional non live in Nanny may be cost competitive with an AuPair.

Nanny Poppinz

Curious about your desire for an au pair over a nanny. I have no first hand knowledge of either. I thought au pairs were more for light babysitting, not full on child care.

Why have kids if you need someone else to raise them?

What have you done to this point? Seems a little extreme to hire help, but: Does the wife work? How many kids? Special needs? Commuter?

I don't think you'll be gone constantly, and you should get a little seniority in a reasonable time frame. Not to mention that affording help on first year (really about 15 mos) pay will pretty much negate any take-home pay you'll get. Maybe move to base and/or have the wife cut back at work?

Yes wife works full time, so thus the need for help and this au pair service offers girls who work 45 hours a week. And yes i will be commuting as well.

Wow, we are definitely living in a different day and age; sub contracting parenting out to strangers.

Not trying to pass judgement on any individuals, more of a subjective opinion on where we are as a society.