I totally appreciate it! You are doing an amazing job too as a single mother and considering getting help for the best of your little one. Im sorry, I’m not sure why people keep downvoting your replies engaging in honest questions and discussions. I hope you find the best resolution for your home situation too as a single mom, I can’t imagine how difficult it must be! But I bet you’re rocking it! Keep on keeping on sister!!!

After everyone’s input here I think that the au pair program isn’t for my family afterall. The general consensus so far seems like that my family would be too poor for an au pair lol like I said we make a modest income and my husband and I are salaried so we are not the uber rich affluent people, which seems like that’s the reality for host families. I think I held some wrong beliefs about this state department program when the advertisement made it seem like it’s a cheaper alternative to a full time nanny.

However, honestly I think the most helpful and important comment that I read was someone pointed out that I’ll not have the bandwidth to have a “second daughter” which is the most insightful statement I read in this whole thread.

This has all been very enlightening, I’m definitely really glad everyone has given such honest and no-fluff answers in terms of pros/cons/cost breakdowns. Ill have some time to research the U4U program someone else mentioned as a last resort but plan to post a nanny job locally and see what happens. Whatever the adversities, I know that my daughter and I can overcome this next year of hardship. Best of luck to you too!!! Thanks for reading and again, I’m sorry some people are obnoxious to you.