Whether you’re an expecting parent or have children in school, having an au pair on hand can be a big help. With their flexible schedule, they can care for your kids when you need them the most.
But finding the right au pair for your family isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s important to have a clear picture of what you want out of the experience.
Childcare
Whether you’re looking for extra help during a busy period, need a sitter on-call, or simply want to reduce your childcare expenses, hosting an au pair can be an excellent option.
Au pairs are a great alternative to nannies because they can provide childcare for up to 45 hours per week based on your family’s needs. They can also help with light housework, laundry, and driving activities.
Travel
The opportunity to travel can be a huge benefit to hosting an au pair. It can offer a chance to discover new places and see the world from a different perspective.
When traveling with an au pair, it’s important to work out arrangements ahead of time so that everyone’s expectations are met. This includes ensuring that she has her own room, can continue to receive her weekly stipend, and doesn’t work beyond the maximum number of hours per day.
Language Learning
In addition to helping your children learn another language, an au pair service such as Go Au Pair can share their native culture with the entire family. This can be in the form of sharing recipes, songs, and holiday traditions.
One of the most popular ways multilingual families introduce a foreign language is through the One Person, One Language approach. This strategy involves parents speaking their own language with the kids and the au pair speaking the other language.
Intercultural Experience
Getting to know another culture is one of the most significant benefits of hosting an au pair. They are eager to learn about your way of life and will share their culture with you uniquely and especially.
Intercultural understanding combines personal, interpersonal, and social knowledge and skills. It enables students to develop their abilities to communicate and empathize with others and critically analyze intercultural experiences.
Personal Growth
Personal growth is an important part of any au pair’s experience. They overcome challenges, make new friends and learn to live in a different culture, which can benefit their future.
You’ll want to support your au pair throughout the program as a host family. This means showing them kindness and appreciation. Even a small gift can go a long way to building trust and loyalty between the two of you.
Professional Development
Au pairs are an invaluable resource for both their host families and their children. They can help with homework, tutoring, and driving children to and from activities and appointments.
In addition to this, hosting an au pair can be a great way to enhance your professional skills. The experience will teach you to multitask, prioritize and lead.
Socialization
One of the greatest benefits of hosting an au pair is the socialization they can provide for your family. They’ll be able to help your kids socialize with other children and make sure they get to know new people in their host country.
This can be especially beneficial on Sundays when you may not have an organized plan for the kids to have activities and playdates. Your au pair can come over and take care of them, so you have more time for yourself.
Work Experience
Au pairs gain invaluable work experience living and working with a host family. They will learn to manage a busy home and take on various responsibilities, such as babysitting, cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, shopping, and more.
They will also have a chance to practice their language skills and interact with children from another culture, making this experience an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange. These skills will benefit them in any career path they choose after their time abroad.
Financial Support
Au pairs receive a monthly amount of pocket money that varies by country. This is paid to them as a form of financial support intended to provide for daily living expenses and cultural exchange.
In some countries, host families may provide additional perks such as transportation, which can help the au pair complete her/his coursework and other required activities. It is up to the family to determine these perks and what they mean for their host au pair’s experience.
Friendship
You can develop a bond as you get to know your au pair. This can be a big plus for both parties, and you can learn a lot from them as they share their experiences with you.
Host families also get to experience new cultures first-hand by welcoming au pairs from different countries into their homes. This can open up a whole new world for your family and give you a unique perspective.
