So I've landed on my feet with this Au Pair.

[BeeRayKay]

My first time having an Au Pair.

And we have the most lovely girl with us. She arrive with a gift for each of us (entirely Unnecessarily but a lovely gesture)

She engages with the children constantly, well out of her agreed working times, she's always with us and taking an active roll. A true big sister role in the family.

And today, to top it all off, whilst I was cleaning down stairs she took herself off to clean her own room (the only cleaning I've stipulated she must do) and the childrens bedroom. As I type she is teaching spanish to my five year old.

I feel truely blessed and am already dreading the end of her placement

please tell me this isn't a unique situation? And other au pairs are as wonderful? Because in august we will be having a new girl :-( I'll miss this one.

she's always with us and taking an active roll. A true big sister role in the family.

isn't life funny, i have seen threads where people really complain about this, why is she always with us? why doesn't she live in her room?

it is lovely you are happy.

I like her being with us, that is kind of the point? She does take herself off for half an hour here and there, but she's with us and talking to us more often than not.

I dont know how I would survive without ours! Im dreading the current one leaving, shes like a daughter and amazing with the children. Glad to hear positive happy stories!!

We had 8 or 9 au pairs over about a 10 year period. All bar one were fantastic and quickly became part of the family. The one that didn't gel with us so much was also a good au pair, but she led her own life more because her boyfriend was an au pair in the next town.

I love it when it works out like that! Our last au pair was like that and it was fab.

This one... We seem to just be on slightly different levels. She's been good, but I won't miss her when she's gone. Looking forward to the next one.

In our case; having English as a mother language has been key to a successful placement. I've had 2 Europeans and they've just not quite fitted for us, although it's probably a coincidence.

It is hard when the lovely ones leave though, they leave a little hole in your lives don't they?!

All of ours have been lovely too. I didn't personally gel with the first (not confident enough for me), but she was a good au pair.

I don't see them at all being in a big sister role, I expect the children to be more respectful and obedient that I would expect towards a sister. But the relationship is definitely closer than any employee would be.

Glad you've got a good-un.

Sounds Great!

We have also had amazing au pairs. Remember that the stories on mumsnet will be disproportionate, as people rarely post about their amazing au pair. They are far more likely to ask for advice about a bad one.

We're still in touch with most of ours. Have been to visit a couple in their home countries.

If any of you ladies with good experiences could share the agencies you've used and any top tips for recruiting that would be greatly appreciated. We're getting an AP for the first time, hopefully in December (or have I left it too late for that start date?).

Not too late for Dec start date. Most au pairs only start looking 6 weeks or so before they want to travel.

I don't think the agency makes any difference - they don't personally vet the candidates.

We haven't had APs for 10 years now and used a very local agency, before it was done online so much.

IMO, if you're a welcoming family, prepared to accept the AP as one of your own rather than hired help, that's the best way to make the relationship work.

Handmini use AuPairWorld, i would avoid agencies as they will just send you anyone and wont actually find you someone that will be a good fit in your family. Doing it yourself Via AP world is a) much cheaper, b)means you will get someone you actually like with similar views and interessts that suit your family c) you ask your chosen candidate to apply for a criminal records check and send it to you. Recruit carefully and you will have a fab experience! Good luck!

Thanks HRH and MrsLeigh. I've been looking at Au Pair World and agree it looks good. We may even try for a September start....

Handmimi - I've always recruited 3 months ahead, so perfect now for a September start. Au pair world is you best bet (we got nowhere with the agencies I tried).