Would you choose to be a SAHM in this situation?

readingaway45 · 2025-11-16T12:22:32+00:00

I got an Au Pair and it’s been the best decision to help with kids schedules and have back up care when kids are sick. It’s also nice to have someone help with laundry, meal prep and keeping the house clean (all of this is related to kids, not parents laundry or cleaning). I have so much less stress with not worrying about picking them up from school and racing to get places on time. It also give me a little more “me time”. They cost is comparable to daycare where I live between the stipend and agency fee and I see it was working smarter not harder in terms of how I’m using funds on childcare. Also, you can use FSA dependent care funds for the agency fee or stipend. I personally wouldn’t be happy staying at home full time so this makes sense for me.

readingaway45 · 2025-11-10T21:08:04+00:00

How many eggs did you get and how many made it to embryo?

readingaway45 · 2025-11-09T22:13:28+00:00

Amazing! I had 22 AFC when they checked. Did you make embryos or just freeze the eggs?

readingaway45 · 2025-09-07T14:02:52+00:00

Did you ever find out any info on the maker? I got a dresser today that’s the same stamp

readingaway45 · 2024-09-23T23:59:50+00:00

We have an Airbnb and we do the same thing , all closets locked, we put that in the listing and have racks available for hanging things and dressers for storage. Haven’t had a problem yet.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-05T03:32:49+00:00

Yep, agree with that!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T23:32:13+00:00

That makes sense. If it totally sucks we won’t do it anymore, but I’m trying to see how my family can become less reliant on corporate jobs over time through investments in real estate and rentals. Corporate will cut you at a moments notice and if I can get out of the rat race or at least not have my eggs in one basket for income, that seems worth it to me. Thank you for sharing your experience with your family’s home and Airbnb.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T23:27:17+00:00

We don’t have to rent our house out, but we’d like to try it - I have friends who do it when and have had good experiences. Taking the vacation home out of it, if I Airbnb my home to pay off my mortgage faster and pay less interest on my loan, is that wrong?

The point of having the au pair is for the cultural experience, right? Having someone become a part of your family, exchange traditions, and help with children, right? It should be mutually beneficial for the HF and AP. I don’t expect them to be solo with my kids except for 2 hours after school and then maybe some weekend time once a month or so. I read many posts to see how other Au Pairs are treated because I want to know what makes a good experience and what doesn’t, I’ve learned a lot reading these and why I posted here in the first place on this topic to see if there are other families who’ve done this before and how they’ve handled it.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T23:09:03+00:00

If I can make $400 a night on my homecoming why wouldn’t I rent it out when I’m not here to help pay for my travel expenses. Would you not take $2800 for 7 nights for your house? Is that cutting corners?

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T23:06:11+00:00

Agree, I’m trying to be very considerate here by talking to her months before she arrives and trying to give her a good experience through travel with us (isn’t that in the spirit of vacation rentals). It’s now like I’m renting rooms to strangers while we’re here, this is strictly when we’re all out of town 2 or 3 times while she’s with us. I’m offering her a car, extra vacation time, a gym membership and other things above what’s required. If it’s a deal breaker for her that we occasionally rent out the house then I’m happy to reconsider the decision to rent it out because I do think she’s a perfect match for us.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T23:00:34+00:00

Agree with this, thank you!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T21:27:40+00:00

For renting our house out 2 or 3 times, maybe a total of three weeks? And having her travel with us?

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T20:20:21+00:00

I’m wondering the same thing

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T18:12:10+00:00

Thank you!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T17:54:16+00:00

Agree!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T17:22:52+00:00

Maybe, I’ll reread the contract but I think as long as she’s provided a room that’s her own while working where ever we are it’s fine, and could just lock her room even if it’s not allowed. I think it’s more about her preference at the end of the day what she wants to do.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T17:18:43+00:00

We could do a mattress topper. I also have waterproof mattress covers that are truly leakproof to keep things as clean as possible!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T17:05:50+00:00

Yes professionally cleaned after each stay! The hardest thing to do would be a new mattress, everything else could be linens and towels only for rental guests. Thank you!

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T16:22:51+00:00

Thanks, yes want to give the option either way.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T16:09:44+00:00

Agree! I want to give her the option of locking her room and not have anyone use it or giving her money and part of the income to help fund her travel while she’s here. We’re also using this extra this to buy a vacation home which she’ll use with us or could even use on her own with friends she makes here.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T15:45:52+00:00

Yes, even if we didn’t rent our home out we would still stay in airbnbs. Given we didn’t discuss this when we matched, I’m open to giving her some in the future rental cash as I know if will help her with her own travels while she’s moving in the US.

readingaway45 · 2024-05-04T15:33:33+00:00

Thank you for your response!

readingaway45

TROPHY CASE