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Au Pairs<\/strong> \u2013 Imagine for a moment that you went to the hospital and you were in the care of doctors and nurses. How would you feel if those doctors and nurses who were there to care for you were more interested in texting or using their personal computer than caring for you? \u00a0How would that make you feel, about yourself and about them? Would you think that you were getting the treatment you deserved? \u00a0Would you feel like paying the bill after your stay?<\/p>\nLife as an au pair, it is a fine balance between employee and family member. You live with your host family and participate with them as a member of the family, but you also have clear responsibilities as a childcare provider. Being a childcare provider is truly one of the most important jobs I can think of because you are helping to shape the next generation. \u00a0What message are you sending them when you would rather interact with a computer than with them? How will they feel about themselves and about you? Children feel as though everything is about them. They will see this as a rejection of them and they will be more likely to act out.<\/p>\n
It also poses a safety concern when you are not paying enough attention to the children in your care. Injuries and accidents happen, but when an adult caregiver is close by and appropriately supervising the chances of a major injury dramatically reduce.<\/p>\n
During work hours, the following would not be considered acceptable:<\/strong><\/p>\n *you do want to be on the lookout for texts from your host parents<\/p>\n Phone Use in the Car<\/strong> \u2013 Using your phone to text or talk without Bluetooth while driving is illegal, a huge safety risk, and a bad example for the children (future drivers) in the car with you. One moment of distraction when you are driving can change someone\u2019s life forever: your own and\/or others around you. If you find the temptation to check your phone is too much for you, set up the driving mode feature on your phone.<\/p>\n\n
Even if you work 45 hours a week, that leaves you 123 hours per week for all of that other stuff, or about 70 hours (if you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night.)<\/em><\/h5>\n