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ABC\u2019s of a Successful Year as an Au Pair<\/p>\n
Alcohol \u2013 The drinking age in most states is 21.\u00a0 Yes, you used to be able to drink in your country \u2013 but you can\u2019t drink here if you are under 21.\u00a0 If you are supposed to get a ride home with someone who has had too much to drink \u2013 find another way!\u00a0 If you get caught drinking and driving you have to go home<\/p>\n
Boyfriends \u2013 Some host families will not like the idea of you having a boyfriend \u2013 they will feel threatened by the time he takes away from them.\u00a0 It is best to be honest and find out about their rules regarding your boyfriend picking you up at their home (they may not want him to even have their home phone number \u2013 let alone their address).\u00a0 Don\u2019t ever expect your host family to allow your boyfriend to spend the night<\/p>\n
Buddy \u2013 Be a buddy to the new au pairs that arrive!\u00a0 Please remember how it felt for you in those first days!\u00a0 Call new au pairs to say hello, take them out for coffee or to bring them to their first cluster meeting<\/p>\n
Car \u2013 The car is a privilege not a right.\u00a0 Please do not demand the car \u2013 there may be times when you do not have access to one (bad weather, other car not working, au pair car being repaired).\u00a0 Do not drive and use a cell phone at the same time!\u00a0 Never, ever \u2013 leave the children unattended in the car!!<\/p>\n
Community Counselor \u2013 Your community counselor is here to help you to have a wonderful year.\u00a0 If you need advice about anything \u2013 call!\u00a0 Remember you can talk to your counselor on the phone.\u00a0 Many au pairs feel they need to discuss something \u2013 face to face \u2013 that is not necessary.\u00a0 Sometimes it is more important to talk immediately \u2013 than to wait for a convenient time for both of you to meet.<\/p>\n
Cluster Meetings \u2013 A successful au pair will come to the monthly cluster meetings and stay connected to her counselor and the other au pairs.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t come to the meetings \u2013 I don\u2019t get to know you and there may be a time during your year that it is critical to you that I do know you!!<\/p>\n
Downloading \u2013 Do not download anything on to your host family\u2019s computer without their permission.<\/p>\n
Eating \u2013 Au Pairs complain about gaining weight during their year here \u2013 portions are much larger \u2013 and it\u2019s easy to gain weight.\u00a0 Be careful, eat right and make sure you get enough exercise.<\/p>\n
Friends \u2013 Unbelievable as it may sound friends can cause problems.\u00a0 Make sure that they are respectful of your host family\u2019s rules, too.<\/p>\n
Grooming \u2013 Silly as it may seem to you \u2013 Americans shower everyday and change their clothes everyday.\u00a0 You will be expected to do the same.<\/p>\n
Homesickness- It is very normal to feel homesick!\u00a0 The first 2 weeks to a month can be very challenging for you!\u00a0 Give yourself time and understand that your feelings are very normal!<\/p>\n
Internet \u2013 You should never be on the internet when you are taking care of the host children.\u00a0 They deserve your undivided attention.\u00a0 Ask your host family when it is convenient for you to be on the internet.\u00a0 For some families you will be tying up their phone line \u2013 please be respectful and don\u2019t stay on for hours and hours.\u00a0 Never<\/strong> give out information about yourself or your host family in a CHAT ROOM \u2013 it is very dangerous!!<\/p>\n Jerks \u2013 You will meet a lot of jerks while you are here in the United States.\u00a0 Don\u2019t trust everyone you meet \u2013 don\u2019t give out your host family\u2019s number until you truly know the person \u2013 and<\/strong> with your host family\u2019s permission.<\/p>\n Listening \u2013 Listen to the needs of your host children and your host parents.\u00a0 Keep the lines of communication open.<\/p>\n Money \u2013 Don\u2019t spend all of your money every week!\u00a0 It is not a good idea to live paycheck to paycheck, ever!\u00a0 Have money on hand for unexpected expenses \u2013 insurance deductibles (medical and car \u2013 in case of illness or a car accident), extra college costs, clothes, Starbucks, phone bills \u2013 the list can go on and on.<\/p>\n Negotiate \u2013 If you are unhappy with anything \u2013 you must communicate this to your host family.\u00a0 You many not want to do this when you have just arrived to their home \u2013 but after you have earned their trust and respect.\u00a0 Remember \u2013 if you want a rule to change \u2013 even after discussion it may not change.\u00a0 Some things are not negotiable!<\/p>\n Overwhelmed \u2013 If ever you are feeling overwhelmed \u2013 speak up immediately.\u00a0 Some times you just need to talk about it \u2013 and you will feel better.<\/p>\n Phone \u2013 You should never be on the phone during your work hours.\u00a0 Don\u2019t monopolize your host family\u2019s telephone line for hours at a time.\u00a0 If they have call waiting \u2013 answer it \u2013 if it is for your host family get off the phone and let them know they have a call.\u00a0 Take good messages if you answer the phone and your host family is not available.<\/p>\n Quiet \u2013 Be respectful of the hours that your host family is putting the children to bed and when they are going to bed, too.\u00a0 Noise should be kept to a minimum and no calls should come in after 9:00.<\/p>\n Responsible \u2013 \u00a0Your host family has given you the responsibility for their children.\u00a0 Please take good care of them and always put their needs above yours during your working hours.<\/p>\n School \u2013 You are required to attend classes for six semester hours or its equivalent (80 hours) at an accredited U.S. post secondary institution.<\/p>\n Trustworthy \u2013 Be honest with your host family \u2013 if you feel you must lie to them \u2013 it is not a good match.\u00a0 Talk to your counselor about your feelings.<\/p>\n United States of America \u2013 May this year here be one of the best of your life.\u00a0 You are responsible for your destiny here.\u00a0 This year is what you make it.\u00a0 Don\u2019t sit around and complain to other au pairs \u2013 and do nothing about your unhappiness.\u00a0 Sometimes it is just a change of attitude that is necessary.<\/p>\n Vacation \u2013 Vacations need to be mutually agreed upon.\u00a0 Talk to your host family about when a good time for you to vacation will be.<\/p>\n Work\/Study\/Play \u2013 The best au pairs find a balance between their work as an au pair, their school and their free time.\u00a0 Obviously, your host family\u2019s primary concern is that their children are being cared for by a responsible adult.<\/p>\n X-Rated \u2013 Attitudes regarding sex may be very different in your country.\u00a0 Please be aware of what is appropriate viewing for children in America.<\/p>\n Yo Yo \u2013 This year will be filled with ups and downs.\u00a0 If you understand that \u2013 it will make things a lot easier.<\/p>\n ZZZZ \u2013 Make sure you get enough sleep!\u00a0 You need to be on top of your game everyday!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ABC\u2019s of a Successful Year as an Au Pair Alcohol \u2013 The drinking age in most states is 21.\u00a0 Yes, you used to be able to drink in your country \u2013 but you can\u2019t drink here if you are under 21.\u00a0 If you are supposed to get a ride home with someone who has had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":162,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n