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An Au Pair in America Blog
Article in the Wall Street Journal about Aupair in America
Posted by Silga Vasilevsky on Jan 9, 2010
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Share on: Facebook, DiggHoliday Tips for Host Families
Posted by Silga Vasilevsky on Nov 8, 2009
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Holiday Tips
As we head into the Holidays, I wanted to share some information with you, regarding the Holiday season and your au pair.
As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, it is important to remember that Au Pairs may feel homesick, even if they haven’t at other times. Certain people and places are missed, and our traditions and activities seem different.
Au Pairs emotions are often close to the surface at this time and the enormity of this year away from home may hit her hard.
You can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your family activities will be; for example, when the candles are lit, the stockings hung, the tree decorated, gifts given, meals prepared and eaten, relatives arrive or when you visit family. It would be very thoughtful to ask her if she has a favorite holiday food or tradition that could be incorporated into your celebration.
Talk to your Au Pair specifically about what has to be accomplished, get her involved and interested because this will ease her homesickness. Remember, her mother has probably taken this responsibility in previous years, so don’t expect her to just know what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed-upon assignments to make her feel a part of things. Let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.
Consider the dynamics of the normal relationships you have all established and how the changes in holiday routine affects them. Parents at home, relatives visiting and children off at school. Different work expectations may be needed and this should be clearly discussed.
Socially, please remember the holidays are a time when Au Pairs want and need to be with their friends. This also helps their survival mechanism when they are missing old friends back home.
New Year’s eve in America is a very special occasion to an Au Pair, so open communication is very important as you decide on New Year’s Eve plans and the time off, if any, you can offer to your Au Pair.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season and that this letter will help you enjoy the season with your Au Pair.
by Dominique Ortiz
Tips on interviewing au pair
Posted by Silga Vasilevsky on Nov 5, 2009
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Interview Suggestions – What info to Give When?
When interviewing a prospective au pair, some families give a lot of information on themselves and their children right up front. If you do that, you may be answering some of the au pair’s questions she may have about your family. But, you will never know, because she will not ask you then. The type of questions an au pair asks, will help you judge her interest in your family and motivation for becoming an au pair. So, it might be a better idea to just give a brief intro like this: “Hi, I’m Mary Smith from Bethesda, Maryland. My husband and I have two children, a girl who is 6 years and a boy who is 10 years.” Then, go into your interview questions. Once you have all your questions completed, let her ask any questions she may have.
Once you have completed that phase of interviewing, if it seems like you are both still interested and possibly a good fit, you want to provide a very clear picture of what being your au pair will involve and what living in your home will be like.
This could include (conversations and emails) about:
- Anticipated schedule and list of duties
- Child care and discipline (ask for responses to possible scenarios)
- House rules – car use, curfew, smoking, guests, computer and phone use
- If driving is required, have serious discussions about the frequency and type of driving experience she has (what vehicles, which side of the road, city or country and any accidents)
- Lifestyle issues (physical active or sedentary, interests, values)
This may seem like a lot to discuss, but being thorough up front can prevent problems down the road like au pair and host parents having different expectations and perceptions.
by Christine Conally