Holiday Survival with your Au Pair

As we head into the holidays, it is important to consider how this time of year may impact your au pair and your family.

As Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s approach, please keep in mind that your au pair may feel homesick, even if she hasn’t at other times. People, places, and traditions are missed; our traditions and activities are unfamiliar to her, and she may not know what is expected of her at this very busy time of year. Au pairs’ emotions are often close to the surface during the holiday season, and the enormity of the year away from home may hit her hard. 

We can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking openly about her feelings and then by giving her some concrete advice on how to proceed:

1. Encourage her to participate in your family’s activities as much as possible.
2. Talk to her about what to expect and what needs to be accomplished.
3. Ask her to share some of her favorite traditions/holiday foods/songs, etc with your family.
4. Let her know that her contribution to the festivities is needed and appreciated.

 Routines change during the holiday season:  parents are home, grandparents may be visiting, and children are off from school.  Be clear with your au pair about her schedule, and pay particular attention to vacation plans.

1. If your au pair is leaving the country for vacation, please be sure that she

has had her DS 2019 form signed by Evelyn Blum in the Stamford, CT office.  This is the paperwork required for her to re-enter the United States. She should include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope that she can purchase at the post office.

If your au pair will be accompanying you on a vacation, please be clear about your expectations for her: will she be working? If so, this does not count as vacation time for the au pair. 

The high emotions and energy of the children at this time of year may seem like craziness to your au pair. She may be overwhelmed by the quantity of gifts children receive and the excesses of food and decorations surrounding her. Encourage her to “roll with the punches,” and enjoy the general excitement of the season.

 The holidays are also a time when au pairs want and need to be with their friends.  This helps their survival mechanism when they are missing friends and family back home.

New Year’s Eve in America and the opportunity to go to Time’s Square is a very special occasion for an au pair. She may have already asked you if she can have the night off. If you can offer her New Year’s Eve as time off, she will likely want to go to NYC.  Please caution her (as I will) about crowds, staying with a group of friends, and keeping her belongings close.  TELL HER TO LEAVE HER PASSPORT HOME!!

Happy Holidays!