skip to main content

Parents of Toddlers

How to find an au pair job?

18 years ago

This is not an ad! I'm the mom of 2 teenagers and so I haven't needed a babysitter in quite a while. My question is, how would moms of young children go about looking for a babysitter or au pair?

A friend of mine in France has a teenage daughter who wants to come to the US for the summer as an au pair. Other than signing up for paid sites, which seem to favor longer-term arrangements, does anyone have ideas on how to help this friend search for this kind of summer job? I've been advised not to have her post on Craig's List.

How would you look for an au pair? Would local references be key? Would you just get referrals from friends or would you go through an agency?

Thanks all for your thoughts.

Ann

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

sweeby
18 years ago
I would go through an agency just because there's so much potential for something to go wrong, and with international laws, so much mess if things do go wrong.

If you're trying to help the girl find summer employment, you could check with a daycare center or pre-school, put the word out with your friends, or even call the high school to see if they've fielded calls from parents looking for summer sitters.

Of course, that tends to make you a little bit responsible for finding a 'nice' family to au pair for...
annkathryn
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi sweeby,
Thanks for your thoughts. I was concerned that an agency wouldn't be interested in just a 2-month engagement. Checking with my sons' high school career & counseling center is a good idea, but I'm thinking they'll only refer current students. I can try the elementary school though.

Cheers,
Ann
Related Discussions
Has anyone found a comfortable pair of heels?
Q
Comments (108)
I have these shoes "Tsubo" and they come in your size. I will buy more of this brand if I see them on sale with Sierra Trading post because of the comfort and looks. There is a bit of a problem with the sizing on this shoe though, you will need to go up at least half a size but possibly a full size. So, if you want to take a gamble and the size happens to work you've hit the jackpot. You cannot see the sole traction when on. These are very "classic" on but can be dressed up or worn casual dressy. They come in three colors and are very well made and have some traction on the sole. If you sign up for the coupons these can be had for $50. I tried to link the page but it did not work. So, just do a Tsubo search on sierratradingpost.com.
...See More
More Confessions -- How Many Pairs of Shoes?
Q
Comments (66)
Maybe if I had a bigger closet I'd have more shoes! Nah, doesn't necessarily work that way. Two houses ago we had two huge (to us anyway, one 8x10ish and one 6x12)walk-in closets and it didn't affect our purchasing habits at all. I think it's simply just in how naturally acquisitive you are. If you're oriented toward accumulation of "stuff", it doesn't matter whether you live in a 20,000sf mansion or a 200sf studio, you're going to find a way to have your stuff, and it doesn't really matter what your "stuff" is either. When I lived in a 200sf studio, one of my immediate neighbors (same size apartment) lined one of her walls (12 foot ceilings, note) with shoe boxes and had a stepladder to get to the way-up ones. She was practically a Carrie Bradshaw - she chose to live in this teensy apartment so she could have hundreds of pairs of $300-500 shoes. 20x20 is almost half the size of the second floor of my 1 1/2 story house. The notion of a closet that size boggles me. Clearly I'm in the wrong place - is there a forum for "po'-ass trash"?
...See More
New Bosch 500 Pair Delivered!
Q
Comments (54)
update - I am leaving my Bosch machines and not exchanging them for LG. Everyone who I talked to told me that it would be a step down if I change Bosch for LG. Bosch machines are great if you learn how to use them. The Bosch technician explained to me different cycles and told me that the timed-dry really gets the clothes bone-dry because it uses a heater. The regular cycles do not do this and leave the clothes lightly damp. If you like your clothes or sheets to be DRY, add timed-dry after the regular cycle is done. This allows you to remove the items you do not want to be DRY and leave only those that need extra drying time. And, if you have an expensive pair of jeans or an item with a lot of spandex or synthetic material that is just the right fit for you, was it inside-out, hang it on the rack and don't put it into the dryer! Or, if you want to, you can put it into the Bosch dryer and set the dryer cycle on DAMP, remove the item, and hang it on the rack to complete the drying. Trust me, it works. I have some clothes that I love 5-6 years old - still look like new. Enjoy your machines!
...See More
Help!! I really need recs for a countertop pairing!!t
Q
Comments (93)
This is what I got right now. When we get it cleaned up I’ll post better. There is a keeping room right off the kitchen (no pix) with teal furniture, black eames chair, tv and brick fireplace, then the dining room you see here with the live edge table and orange chairs. It’s split level and the dining room is open to the living room (second two pix), a half flight down. Kind of confusing. It’s really a pretty house, built in 1955. Why don’t I have better pix?? 🙄
...See More
businescares
18 years ago
Generally most of the parents rely on au pair agencies for hiring an Au pair. This is because any parents believe that they will be benefited from having some good Au pair agencies on their side. And also that Au pair agencies provide them with perfect child care worker and that woman will generally be expected to work several hours each and every day.
http://www.daycaresurvey.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Daycare survey

Related Stories

COLOR 10 Pair-Ups for Black in the Kitchen

By Laura Gaskill

Combine black with other colors to add drama, polish and modernity. It also can make a kitchen look more spacious

KITCHEN DESIGN The Best Backsplashes to Pair With Wood Counters

By Becky Harris

Simplify your decision-making with these ideas for materials that work well with wood counters

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: As Comfy As a Favorite Pair of Jeans

Faded colors and celestial light give a Florida family room a sun-washed allure

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Perfect Pairings of Reading Chair and Lamp

Up your reading style and comfort with these chair and lamp combos too cozy to leave

DECORATING GUIDES Choose the Right Doorknob for the Job

By Samantha Schoech

Your home's entire style may just turn on the right doorknob. These examples can help you select wisely

BATHROOM DESIGN Go Au Naturel in the Bath With Beautiful Stone

By Lisa Higgins

Add rocks and pebbles to your bathroom design for organic texture and practicality too

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Find and Hire a Great Landscape Contractor

By Falon Mihalic

Get your landscape project built on time and on budget by hiring a quality professional

BEFORE AND AFTERS Owners Find Their Bliss in a Wine Country Ranch House

By Becky Harris

Going from cramped and dark to open and bright, a California home lands 600 extra square feet and a gorgeous new outdoor living room

DIY PROJECTS Upcycle Furniture Finds With Paint

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

There are products out there designed to help you transform your thrift-store scores

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Warm and Inviting Home Office Finds

By Cindy Germann

Add dark woods and textiles for an office as cozy as it is inspiring

Sponsored