Considering an au pair. Any advice to share?

[GrumpyOldHorsewoman]

I am considering hiring an au pair, mainly to help with DD2 who is almost 7. I would especially like a Danish au pair as I have a connection to Denmark and am looking to spend more time there - I would like DD to have a Danish influence in her life and could also use some help. I don't really need a nanny or housekeeper and like the international aspect of having an au pair as opposed to a local mother's help. I have never employed anyone in this way before and could use any advice you may be able to offer from how to go about hiring an au pair to what each of us may expect from the other. All suggestions/warnings welcome.

I have used an au pair only once. I got loads of excellent advice on here with regard to finding, hiring etc.
We got a lovely girl from Italy, and she was great with my DD who is nearly 7 - she left us last April and is now working in USA.
She and my DD still keep in touch via skype.

We found her through au pair world and we needed her for walking the DC to school in the mornings - then she usually went to the gym or shopping, then she did school pick ups and supervision from 2-5.30pm.

and she taught us how to make the best lasagne - from a real italien.

I do like the cultural exchange aspect of an au pair and think DD2 especially would benefit hugely from a relationship like this. Trouble is, I don't even know where to start...

I did a looong post on this the other day. It's probably down the bottom of this page or on the next now but it was something about 'thinking of getting an au pair - what mistakes have you made that I can learn from'.

Main advice to start...

Be clear in your expectations. Be upfront! Get a feel for theirs too before offering.

Have a good contract.

Do your initial research. Look at profiles on au pair world, great au pair and easy au pair - both families and au pairs.

Make a list if your requirements, your non-negotiable about them, the job and anything else!

Once you've done that come back for some more advice

MN can give you advice on contracts btw - the cone back is an instruction for once you've worked out what you want and looked at some sites!