Working as an au pair: what's it like?

[justme]

I have been considering working as an au pair for quite some time now and I have recently registered on a site that allows au pairs and families to contact each other. In the past few days I have been contacted by and contacted several families in Europe (I'm from Canada).
I know that I have to be careful about this and make sure that I'm not going to end up living with a creeper. I also know that I'm not going to make a lot of money from it either. I'm doing this because I would love to live somewhere else for a year, take care of and help raise somebody’s kids, learn a language, and learn what living there is like instead of just traveling through.
My question is... has anyone here done this? And do you have any advice for me?

[Delaney]

I worked for about a month as an au pair and it didn't work out. My advice is to get to know the family well before you go. I think you could have a great experience as long as you know what is expected and know the kind of family you are going to live with. Here is my experience:

I had 2 job offers, one in France and one in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean. On the surface, the Martinique job seemed better, only 2 kids (there were 3 in France), more money, tropical island. But if I would have paid attention, I probably could have figured out which would be better.

I emailed the woman in Martinique and spoke with her on the phone, in English, for about 5 minutes and then she offered me the job. Clearly, she wasn't too concerned about sending her kids off with a stranger. The family in France emailed me a lot, asked for references and conducted a lengthy phone interview in French and English.

Hindsight is always 20/20 I know, but if I would have looked at the messages each family was sending, it is obvious that the family in France was more concerned with their children's well-being and would have probably been a good, loving family. However, I was a drunk college kid and chose to go to the tropical island. Probably one of my only/biggest regrets in not taking the job in France. I bet it would have been good.

Okay sorry, back to the topic. Just be sure to get to know the family before making a commitment. Give them references, ask for their references. The best would be the contact information if that have had an au pair before.

Hope this helps!

[florencia9699]

I always thought it was a wonderful idea, but you do have to make clear what they're expecting out of an au pair. There was this TV show once on it... and some girls had a wonderful time, 'cause the families were good, but some others had to face really wird families, among unexpected house chores. They we're like a babysitter/maid/housekeeper. Now, if that's what you're expecting, then you'll do great, but if you only want to take care of the kids and have nothing to do with the house you should ask what especific tasks you'll be in charge of, just so that there aren't any surprises once you're over there.

That being said, I cant think of something as rewarding as taking care of kids and getting to live in a completely different country!!

[justme]

Thank you both for your input it is most appreciated.

Delaney: I'm sorry that happened to you, that sucks a lot. You could always try again depending on your situation (that is if you want to).
I completely understand the need for communication between everyone involved, I'm asking for (and will be supplying) proof if identity and references and will talk with the family a lot (via e-mail and phone) before committing, let alone going.

florencia9699: I’ve heard about shows like that. While I’m not looking to be anyone’s slave, I am fine with mild house and yard work and I will make sure I know what the family expects from me, and let them know what I am comfortable with.