There’s no question that childcare can be expensive. However, if you’re looking for an alternative, au pairs can be a great solution, especially those from a top au pair agency.
Au pairs are live-in care providers that provide support for families by taking on light household chores, assisting with child-related activities and more. This includes daily transporting to and from school, scheduling appointments, cooking meals and more.
Get to Know Your Au Pair
You’ll likely be spending a lot of time with your au pair, so it’s important that you get to know them well. Be sure to ask them questions about their culture and what it means to them to be an au pair. Asking what their hobbies are, where they like to shop, what they enjoy about their job, and what their favorite foods are will help you to understand them better. Knowing what’s important to them will help you make a connection with them and ensure that they feel comfortable in your home.
Understanding your au pair’s motivations for the program will also be helpful in ensuring that they have a positive experience. Some au pairs are motivated by the desire to travel and see more of the world, others are looking for a meaningful opportunity to learn English, or are pursuing academic goals. Understanding these motivations will allow you to support them and encourage them in their endeavors.
If you don’t understand their motivations, you may have misunderstandings about their expectations or actions. For example, if your au pair tells you they want to date during their year with your family, it’s important that you understand what this means to them, and how it might affect their relationship with the children in your household. You might also want to ask about their family dynamics and how they handle disagreements so you can better prepare for situations that may arise during their stay with you.
Be Clear About Your Expectations
Au Pairs are often young adults who have left their own family and friends behind to come to the United States for a new adventure. They have many different motivations for doing so, including taking time off from their careers to travel, learn a language or simply put their lives on hold for a bit and reassess their priorities.
Clearly communicating what is expected of the au pair and your family is one of the best ways to avoid problems and help everyone understand what is acceptable and not. If the host family’s children are old enough, it can be a great idea to have them write down and discuss family rules together before an au pair comes to live with them. This way, there is no question about what is considered on-duty and off-duty time, and the au pair will be more likely to support your family’s rules.
It is also a good idea to talk with the au pair before she arrives about what she expects her duties to be, such as cooking meals, cleaning, washing clothes, shopping and other tasks that are typically done in the home. Some au pairs may be used to doing most of these things on their own, while others are not. During the interview, ask the au pair what she expects of her duties and how she feels about them.
It is also a good idea to talk about what expectations you have of her when it comes to your child’s health and safety, such as the need for vaccinations and what to do in the event of an accident or illness. It’s important to clarify what is expected of her while she is living in your house, and it’s equally important to know what she expects of you.
Be Flexible With Your Au Pair
Host parents often choose to host an au pair for a variety of reasons. Many are looking for help with their kids, while others want to learn a new language or travel abroad. Whatever your reason may be, you need to be flexible with your au pair so they can get the most out of their time with your family.
During the first week, your au pair will be adjusting to her new home and lifestyle. Allow her some time to settle in, but be sure to check in with her regularly so you can address any concerns she may have. If you notice that your au pair is struggling, give her feedback and suggest ways she can improve.
It’s also important to be flexible when it comes to household rules. For example, if you don’t want your au pair to text you while she is working, set that expectation early on so she knows what your expectations are. This will prevent her from feeling frustrated and will make both you and your children happier.
Be open to having discussions about other rules as well, such as how much TV she can watch while she is working and whether or not she should be watching shows that you don’t want your children to see. Your au pair will appreciate your honesty and be willing to make changes if you have an honest dialogue with her.
Remember that your au pair isn’t just here to help you with your kids, but she’s also here to experience the culture and have a life of her own. Don’t be offended if she wants to spend her free time with her friends or go out with locals. It’s not a reflection on you, it just means she enjoys her time away from the kids.
Be Consistent With Your Au Pair
When an au pair joins your family, it’s important to be consistent with her about what she is expected to do. This will help her to feel like a part of your family and build trust.
This includes things like:
Explain the house rules clearly to your au pair. This is especially important if you have children. Having clear and consistent rules will ensure that your au pair is acting appropriately and that she can provide supervision in accordance with your family’s values. This will also make your children more comfortable with her.
It’s also a good idea to give your au pair a weekly schedule so she knows what her working hours are and what days she has off. This will help her to plan and make arrangements for her free time.
Be sure to set limits on how often and when your au pair is allowed to use the phone while she’s working. It’s easy for young people to get distracted by their phones when they are busy, so setting strict expectations will help her stay on task.
It’s always a good idea to point out positive behavior and praise your au pair. This will let her know that you appreciate her efforts and are happy with her performance. This will go a long way toward building a strong relationship with her.
Remember that au pairs choose to live with host families for a variety of reasons. They may want to travel, learn a new language or simply take a break from their professional life. While your children and home should be a priority, it’s important for an au pair to have a balanced lifestyle that includes her interests as well.
Be Flexible With Your Schedule
The best way to ensure your au pair is happy is to make sure she feels fully integrated into your family’s life. If possible, spend time with her and take her out with the kids on a regular basis so she can see how the whole family works together. This will give her the confidence she needs to know she is able to care for your children and do it well.
It’s also important to make it clear to your au pair what is considered on-duty and off-duty time. This will help to prevent confusion when it comes to the children’s schedule and any other tasks she is responsible for, such as cleaning the house or running errands. Set aside specific time blocks for each task and let your au pair know that these hours cannot be violated.
Au pairs are allowed to work a maximum number of hours each week, but these can be flexible depending on what you and your au pair agree to on a weekly basis. This flexibility allows you to prioritise what matters most to your family without relying on fixed schedules that can be restrictive or costly.
Having an au pair through EurAupair can be a big change for everyone in your household, but with the right planning and preparation, it can be a huge benefit to your daily routine and overall quality of life. Spend time orienting your au pair to your home and your family when she first arrives, and be available for questions and support whenever needed. This will enable you to maximize the benefits of your au pair experience and enjoy all the positive aspects that come with it.