We recently welcomed our seventh au pair into our home.  This has been a wonderful childcare option for our family.  Friends and strangers alike though, often wonder about our decision and have many questions!  First, you should know that having an au pair is like having a young person who you've never met live with you and care for your children!  This is both cultural exchange and childcare.  i know that sounds scary, but when you choose a reputable company to work with (we use Cultural Care Au Pair), the au pairs will receive a fairly extensive screening and orientation before being placed with your family.  The program is regulated by the Department of State (you can see all the regulations on their website).  When choosing an au pair, I tell people that first you have to figure out what is the job description for life in your family and most importantly, since they live with you, what type of person will fit into your family?  Do you need someone who is rule oriented or more "go with the flow".  Does your "job" require a lot of driving (if yes, ask LOTS of questions about the au pair's experience behind the wheel!).  Do you want someone who will chat you up at the dinner table?  Or do you prefer someone who goes her own way in her free time?  (We actually prefer the au pairs who spend time with us!).  I just started my own blog to document this year's experience with our au pair and it's called aupairinformation.tumblr.com.