Category Archives: Fun Things We Do

Handling Expenses

Host parents often ask for suggestions on how best to handle common expenses that occur as au pairs are caring for the children.

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for these types of expenses. Others give their au pair a prepaid debit card for this purpose. Below are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards 

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: to and from classes, cluster meetings and when driving the kids.

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Photo: Andrea Travillian

International Potluck Dinner

 

In September, we met at my apartment for an international potluck dinner.  It was amazing to see all the different foods of the world! My whole kitchen was filled with wonderful smells and sights. I wish I had taken picture of it.

We welcomed a few more new au pairs who enjoyed getting to know other au pairs. During this meeting, we also discussed a childcare topic. This month’s topic was “Childcare in your country” and we discussed cultural differences in childcare and issues that have come up for my au pairs as a result of it.

For more photos, go to September 2016.

Visit to Nahant Beach

 

In August, we went to Nahant Beach for our cluster meeting. It was a beautiful day, although a little bit windy (blowing sand all over us). We still had a good time, welcoming many new arrivals who made new connections during our meeting. This is why our meetings are so important: it really helps newly arrived au pairs to find a new friend group, so necessary because they left theirs at home.  We also said good-bye to au pairs whose year is over. They always have good tips for the newer au pairs, which they share during the meeting.

 

For more photos of our meeting, go to Nahant Beach 2016.

Coffee at the Charles River

 

In June, we had planned to go canoeing and have a picnic in Concord. Unfortunately, it was rainy that day. On our rain date, most au pairs preferred to meet for coffee in Cambridge. So we picked up some coffee and sat near the Charles River in Cambridge. It was a nice, relaxing meeting.

In the summer we say good-bye and hello to a lot of au pairs. At our meeting, we wished Natalie, Lena and Amandine farewell. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Au Pair Breakfast Meeting

This month, we gathered at my place for a mid-week breakfast meeting. Some au pairs who were on duty brought their kids along.  This was one of my largest meetings with 25 au pairs in attendance!

We welcomed Katharina S., Anna, Lila and Lea to our cluster. We said good-bye to Veronika who is going back to Slovakia. This month we had our childcare/safety meeting and discussed summer safety.

Au Pairs celebrate Valentine’s Day

This month we had a Valentine’s meeting at my house. We had a great turnout for a weekday night. We enjoyed Valentine’s treats and au pairs had a great time connecting with each other.

During this meeting, we welcomed new au pairs Chura and Sarah. We also discussed taxes which can feel daunting to au pairs.

For more photos of our meeting, go to Valentine’s 2016

Au Pairs Go Snowtubing

 

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This month, our au pair cluster joined 4 other clusters for snowtubing at Nashoba Valley.  The temperatures were not too frigid and au pairs were able to stay outside for much of the two hours we were there.

We also held a sit-down meeting during a break, where we enjoyed hot chocolate and snacks. We also introduced new au pair Annabella and said good-bye to Lara who went home to Germany. As always, our meeting gave my au pairs a chance to make more connections and discuss au pair related topics.

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