Need summer au-pair - any recommendations?

[chicaguapa]

This will be our third year with an au-pair to cover the summer holidays. The first year was great and we're still in touch with the lovely French girl that came to stay. Last year didn't go so well and it felt like a really long summer. So I'm approaching this year's search with a sense of trepidation.

My first stop is to see if anyone on Mumsnet has a lovely au-pair who is looking for a family for the summer? We're just north of Manchester, it would be mornings 8.30-1.30 no cleaning or anything, just looking after DD(7) & DS(4) and making their lunch. I was an au-pair twice in my younger days so I don't take advantage etc.

Fingers crossed....

Sorry, our au pair's going home, so can't be of help in that way, BUT there are so many prospective summer au pairs on aupairworld that I'm sure you'll find a nice one easily.

What went wrong last summer? (Apart from the weather, of course )

She was just really lazy and miserable. Poor DC didn't go out all summer as it was too cold for her. The year before DC were out doing treasure hunts and all sorts! She wouldn't listen to what I said and kept ignoring instructions about what not to allow the children to eat etc. She also wouldn't eat pizza if it was slightly overdone for fear of Cancer! She drove us mad.

Our au pair leaves in June and we are looking for a summer au pair. We'd used millenium au pairs before and they charge a cheaper fee for summer au pairs

We are getting our second this summer, last years was a great success and I have high hopes for this year....how did you find your last 2? For me the most important thing is speaking to them on the phone and just asking a few basic questions about what they would do on a rainy day etc. and having a chat. This year and last year one girl shone out from the others - both German if that is of any relevance!
I went through an agency last year and au pair world (slightly mad, had 316 applications in about a week!)this year - fingers crossed.
Good luck in your search!

our old au pair is looking to come over for the summer so I could ask if you like? She is Romanian, 20 years old and a very sweet lovely girl who was great with my two children (my youngest was 6 months when she came and the oldest was 3). She stayed with us for a year and fitted in really well - we now have a friend of hers as our current au pair. Not sure where she would want to be based as we are in central London but I can ask if you are interested?

We once had a Turkish AP who didn't take DSs out if it was too cold for her - but that was in February! Agree with whizzylala, there are hundreds wanting to be summer APs, I'm sure you'll find a nice one. I look for evidence of a sense of humour and our last 3 APs have all been German.

I have been recommended a Spanish girl by someone I know who has used this girl as a babysitter (in Spain) for last 4 years and thinks highly of her - she is 21 and has a driving licence, and she worked as an AP in Ireland last summer. CAT me for details. I already have an AP otherwise would use her myself.

hello there, am a new mum, looking for an au pair this Summer to help with my newborn. anyone know of any good au pairs who are available? thanks..