An au pair is someone most often from a different country who, through an agency, is placed with a particular family. The au pair agrees to dedicate her/himself to the children a certain amount of hours per week as a childcare provider, and the family in return helps the au pair with his/her English (or other language), finding a job, going through school, etc. Au pairs live with the family 99% of the time.

Hope this makes sense & helps!

I had a nanny the first year of my sons life during the day while I was at work. This was a better alternative for me than daycare. I agree that a lot of celebrities seem to “brag” about not having a nanny but it never really makes sense to me? (Especially the ones who have cooks, housekeepers, assistants, etc.) It seems like a lot of semantics That being said, I enjoy interviews by these two as they seem to be leading a relatively normal life with baby Huck

Thanks so much for replying Nanny!! I am curious where you live, (country, region) because I think the semantics of the titles may be what is causing Brad to be possibly misunderstood. I’m in New England.

And should I even ask what an au pere is?

Beth–babysitters come on either a semi-regular basis (i.e., once a week) or sporadically as you need them. Nannies have a set time to work every day, like 9-5, or a part-time nanny may work 12-5. Nannies sometimes live-in but often now have their own houses.

I have a question. What is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? In my experience a nanny moves in, has a room and lives with the family (Mary Poppins, Alice on the Brady Bunch). To take care of a baby or kids and leave at the end of the workday is a babysitter. I have a feeling that Brad meant they don’t have live-in help.

Moderator: if my other comment went through, feel free to ignore this one. My first did not seem to go through correctly. Thanks.

Kate,
I have to disagree with some of what you said- I think you make a blanket statement about nannies and day care that is not always true.
You say “nannies and day care teachers are just one more person to love your child.”-
yes, sometimes, but not always. Most people have heard a story of neglectful or abusive nannies or day care providers. Of course, many of them are very loving and caring, but there can’t just be a statement that all nannies or day care teachers are just another person to love the child. I just heard of someone who found out that her nanny was being verbally abusive to her two year old (who was with the nanny all day). Found out through the neighbors. I know there are also wonderful caretakers out there, but we all know there are some awful ones too who could harm a child- and that is the scary thing, not knowing for sure.

good for brad for being able to balance work and children, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a nanny, daycare, or whatever. it does not make you any less of a parent and no one should make you feel bad about it. i work at a child care center and while i have a strong, loving bond with the children i care for – i cannot hold a candle to mom and dad i am not raising their children, i am teaching and caring for them (i have been a nanny too). nannies and day care teachers are just one more person to love your child. in my opinion, a child can never have too many people to love them

BTW, I’m obviously talking about something different than having kids watched while the parent is working.

I have to respectfully disagree Shelby. What irritates me is when a celebrity looks great a month after having a baby and talks about how great and easy it is when they have been able to get a full night of sleep and slip away to work out because of the help of a nanny. I like knowing a celebrity has to wake up in the middle of the night just like rest of us.

What you mean that 2 people with 1 child don’t have an “extra set of hands”. Oh my lord those poor people. Someone please get them some help. Nobody should have to work that hard!