For those with au pairs...

[wheresmymojo]

I don't know any families with an au pair but it might be something I need to consider when we have DC.

I've got some 'stupid' questions though that I've always wondered about and hoped some MNetters could give me an insight...

Is it kind of 'expected' that you have a big house to have an au pair? We have a 4 bed detached so it's not tiny but it's a new build so the rooms are on the smaller side and I feel like an au pair might expect to live in a larger house?

Is it odd to have someone from outside of the family around all the time?

Do they sit and watch TV with you in the evening? How do you get time alone with your partner (other than in the bedroom)?

All families have their own 'quirks' - does it not feel a bit strange to expose these to an 'outsider'?

By quirks I mean things like - stupid in jokes, I talk to the cats in a silly voice, we still play fight occasionally and play pranks on each other.

Is it kind of 'expected' that you have a big house to have an au pair? We have a 4 bed detached so it's not tiny but it's a new build so the rooms are on the smaller side and I feel like an au pair might expect to live in a larger house?

No we had one in a two bed terrace. They had the dining room which we converted to a bedroom.

Is it odd to have someone from outside of the family around all the time?

No I like it, it's like house share, which I always liked when young anyway.
*
Do they sit and watch TV with you in the evening? How do you get time alone with your partner (other than in the bedroom)?*

Some do, some don't. I didn't feel I was missing out on alone time. Sometimes they'd go out for evening / classes and often wanted to watch tv on their lap top in their room.

All families have their own 'quirks' - does it not feel a bit strange to expose these to an 'outsider'?
*
By quirks I mean things like - stupid in jokes, I talk to the cats in a silly voice, we still play fight occasionally and play pranks on each other.*

Make sure you choose one who gels well with your family. Skype / FaceTime them first and find out what they are like. We still have a family WhatsApp group with one and share jokes all the time. She really did become part of the family. With others I guess it's like big brother when the contestants say you forget the cameras are there.