Throughout my time working with au pairs and host families, it's been a lot of fun seeing families who repeat the experience year in and year out. I started in 2002 and still know of families who were in the program when I started that are still have au pairs today.
Some of those families have had au pairs from over 10 different countries that speak various languages and have different cultures and traditions, so their children are well versed in geography, traditions, and cultures from all around the world.
Others have chosen to stick with one country or language and their children are fluent in that language and familiar with the culture, traditions and food.
So many families have stated that although it is hard to say goodbye to one au pair, the fact that au pairs stay only 1-2 years offers them an opportunity to meet other people, and adjust their au pair selection to meet their particular needs at that time. For example, when their children were young, they had specific requirements for an au pair (diaper changes, bathing, feeding, etc) and as they grew, those requirements changed. As their children grew older, their need for a driver, someone into specific sports, someone who could tutor a particular school subject--including languages, etc increased while their need for someone to "babysit" decreased. So, the change in au pairs allowed them to focus on the specific needs of their children.
I know I say it all the time, but I'll say it again--au pair childcare is the best childcare option out there! Where else can you give your children the gift of culture, global awareness, language, and lifelong friendships?
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