Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

What is the youngest aupair you have / would have?

35 replies

laura032004 · 04/03/2008 18:59

Starting to think about ap no.2 Doesn't seem two minutes since I was worried about no.1 arriving!

Anyway, I've started to get a few emails, but they've all been from quite young girls (18ish). What's your experience been with younger ap's, or why wouldn't you have one?

I know it's really going to vary from person to person. I would happily leave my two with my 18-year old sister, and left DS1 overnight with her (whilst in labour with DS2) when she was just 16 (and three-quarters!). However, I know much older people, that I would never leave them with.

Wondering if talking to their mum would be an option? However, English is my only language, so unless they spoke English, that would be a no-go anyway.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
laura032004 · 04/03/2008 21:24

No real sole-charge involved. The odd 15 minutes when dropping DS1 to pre-school, or similar, but that's it. Occasional babysitting, but I leave them both asleep, and they tend to stay that way until morning. {touching wood emoticon }

OP posts:
Looby4 · 04/03/2008 21:06

I've had a mix AP1 was 19, stayed for 2 years, AP2 was 26, stayed for 2 years, AP3 was 35 (!), stayed for 15 months. Have just got (and given notice to AP4) who is 23 but acts like 15 - a querrilous teenager. Now hoping for an older one again! I have 4 kids aged 7 and under and need to leave in sole charge of 3 of them when I go to after-school activity/ DRs appointment etc. so try and get older for that reason. I think it is a lottery!

eleusis · 04/03/2008 20:36

I think 17 for an au pair is fine. Assuming there are no long stretches of sole charge -- just a few hours of b-sitting here and there.

In fact I would expect a twenty something to turn her nose up at many of theing which would normally go in an au pair job description.

I think personality is much more important than age. Some 15 year olds are more responsible than some 40 year olds.

Original poster
laura032004 · 04/03/2008 20:07

Thanks for those replies. Our current ap is great at housework and with DS1 (20m), but rubbish with DS1 (nearly 4). I'd really prefer somebody that was great with the kids, so I could have a bit more free time to get things done.

OP posts:
Quattrocento · 04/03/2008 19:52

I think talking to their mothers is a good idea.

Me personally 21 is the youngest I would think of

BrummieOnTheRun · 04/03/2008 19:44
  1. Even at that age young girls can be irritating as hell. (although so can I, and I'm 35, lol!)
QuintessentialShadow · 04/03/2008 19:07

After my last experience? 21.

phraedd · 04/03/2008 19:02

my SIL once had a 17 year old.....she was one of the nicest au pairs my sil ever had!

She had common sense, loved the children and was able to think for herself about which jobs needed doing.

marmadukescarlet · 04/03/2008 19:01

I had a 17 yr old Summer AP, Finnish and Fab!

So much better than the 24 yr old French one I've had since.

Original poster
laura032004 · 04/03/2008 19:00

Sorry, thread title should have read:

What is the youngest aupair you have had / would have?

OP posts: