Choosing childcare is one of the most challenging decisions parents face. Often, this decision includes considering whether to opt for an au pair or live-in nanny.

In a recent Cultural Care poll, we asked host parents to share their top concerns when it came to welcoming an au pair into their home and how they overcame them. Here's what they had to say.

Concern #1: Will it feel weird to have a stranger join our household?

For many parents, the thought of having a stranger move in for a year was anxiety-inducing. However, after a thorough matching and interviewing process, au pairs quickly started to feel less like strangers. While the initial adjustment period took some getting used to, most families found that hosting an au pair felt natural sooner than expected.

Concern #2: Will we lose our privacy?

Our poll results found that losing privacy was a concern for most host families considering an au pair. In the end, however, the majority of parents admitted it was much less of an issue than they had feared. They also agreed that giving up some privacy was ultimately worth it.

Concern #3: Will we always feel like we're hosting a guest?

Many host families initially felt concern about constantly having to play the role of "host" or not being able to be themselves with their au pair nearby, but these fears were quickly put to rest. In most cases, the demands of a busy household with active kids and working adults meant there was simply no time for formality. Our host families shared that their au pairs quickly became part of the household and adapted to the normal routine as if they were members of the family all along.

Concern #4: Will smartphone, car use, or guests coming over be an issue?

According to our poll, setting clear ground rules for phone and car use, as well as for guests, was essential for most host families. Those who communicated their expectations from the beginning—ideally during the interview process—found that they could effectively avoid potential issues throughout the year.

Concern #5: Will au pairs respect and follow our rules?

Many parents initially worried about their au pair’s behavior when they weren't present. However, they found that frequent check-ins and open communication helped address these concerns. And, because au pairs live in the home, they're also able to observe and mirror the parenting approach of their host families, which further eases these worries.