School is back in session and fall is in the air.
Transitioning from lazy summer days to homework and activity filled days can cause stress for even the most organized moms and dads. To ease the transition for au pairs, its important to discuss changes in schedules, duties, and routines.
Our Community Counselor for the New Orleans area wrote a great post about getting ready for school with your au pair.
Host parents should take the time to review the following:
- Au pair’s schedule
- The children’s schedule, including school and extracurricular activities
- Breakfast routine and types of healthy food to serve
- What to pack for lunch
- What to do when a child is staying home sick
- What to do when a child is late for school
- After school routine (snacks and free time before starting homework)
- Designated spot for school bags, lunch boxes and papers that need parent’s signature
- After-school playdates
If the au pair drives children to and from school, it’s important to discuss:
- Buckling seat belts securely
- Lining up in a car queue
- Making sure children get on/off on the right side of the car
- Holding a young child’s hand in the parking lot
- NEVER leaving a child in the car when dropping off a sibling
- Observing 20 mph speed limit in school zones
- Never passing a school bus when it shows a stop sign
Happy Back to School from Au Pair in America!

Attributed to The Consortium, Flickr