Host families often have a lot of expectations for their au pairs. After all, au pairs are living in your home with you and they are expected to be a part of the family.
While this loss of privacy can be frustrating for some, most families find it is worth it to welcome an au pair into their lives. The key is finding the right balance between treating your au pair like a family and a worker.
1. Make Your Home Comfortable
When an au pair first arrives in your home, it is important to make her feel comfortable, even fi they’re an Expert AuPair. This can be accomplished by making sure her room is clean and organized and providing her with a comfortable bed, desk, and lamp. It can also help if you provide her with some personal items, such as a plant or photos of family members. 
It is also helpful if you explain your family’s rules to your au pair, especially in regards to house rules, a curfew, and dietary restrictions. Clearly defining these rules will help her understand what is expected of her and will make her feel more secure in your household.
You should also take the time to learn about your au pair’s home country and her cultural background. This will make her feel like she is part of your family and can reduce the potential for homesickness.
Finally, you should make an effort to include your au pair in family activities. This may mean inviting her to dinner with the family, taking her along on vacations, or celebrating holidays together. It is this type of involvement that will help your au pair feel like she has a second home and that you truly value her presence in your life.
When an au pair feels comfortable in her new home, she will be more likely to want to stay there and will be less prone to homesickness. This will benefit her as she works to build a network of local friends through the LCC and with other au pairs that are also in the area. Keeping your home comfortable will make this happen more quickly and will allow her to get the most out of her exchange year.
2. Make Your Au Pair Feel Welcome
Hosting an au pair is a unique way to connect with people from a different culture. It’s a great way for your family to learn more about the world and build a bond that lasts a lifetime. But if you want the best possible experience, it’s important to make your au pair feel welcome from the start.
One easy way to do this is by giving her a gift at the beginning of her stay. This could be something simple like a heartfelt note from the kids, a nice decoration for her room, or even just some toiletries.
Many host families choose to have their au pair share the bathroom with other members of the household to ensure she feels part of the family. This isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good way to help her get used to the house and the community.
During the interview, it’s also important to discuss your family’s rules with your au pair. This will help her feel comfortable in the home and avoid any issues later on. Make sure she knows what is and is not allowed in the house, such as if your children can watch TV after school or if they can have candy on their bedside table.
It’s also important to remind your au pair that homesickness is normal. She will miss her friends and family back home and may want to isolate herself for a bit. Be a friend and a support system for her and encourage her to talk when she needs to. It will make her feel loved and appreciated and that you’re glad she chose your family to spend this time with.
3. Encourage Your Au Pair to Get Out of the House
As much as your family might enjoy having an extra hand in the house for chores, it’s important that you encourage your au pair to get out of the home and explore the local area. This is a great way for her to learn more about your culture, meet new friends and reduce homesickness.
Many au pairs come from all over the world, and their cultural differences can add an interesting dimension to your family life. Your children may have a chance to learn a new language, or you might learn more about her country’s food, music or holiday traditions.
Your au pair will probably need help with household chores, like laundry, cleaning and cooking, especially in the beginning. Be sure to explain your expectations for these tasks so she can do them well. Make a point to check in with her regularly to see how she’s doing, and be open to suggestions she might have.
Encourage your au pair to participate in your community by suggesting group opportunities like book clubs, exercise classes and other interests. She’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and develop hobbies that keep her busy, which will decrease her homesickness and increase the enjoyment of her time in your home.
If you have young children, invite your au pair to play with them and let her know she’s welcome to join family outings and holidays. If your children are old enough to understand, you can even ask them for their input and how they would like to interact with their new friend. This will help your family all feel more comfortable with the situation and allow you to make an informed decision about whether hosting an au pair is right for your home.
4. Be Flexible with Your Schedule
Hosting an au pair can be a great way to simplify family life. By assisting with childcare duties, au pairs can give parents the time they need to work and pursue other activities. In addition, au pairs can help with household chores and cook meals, alleviating the burden of daily tasks that can be difficult to manage.
Au pairs typically work between 40 and 45 hours per week, giving them the flexibility to adjust their schedule based on family needs. As a result, families can have additional support for after-school and weekend activities, like sports practices, playdates, or date nights. In addition, many au pairs are well-educated and can provide homework assistance to children.
A key element to success with an au pair is clear communication and setting expectations. By taking the time to talk with an au pair, you can gain a sense of their interests and personality. This will help you feel comfortable and confident entrusting them with your kids. Additionally, by discussing a schedule and defining responsibilities from the beginning, you can avoid any potential confusion or issues that may arise during the program.
While there are a few challenges to consider when deciding to host an au pair, most families find that the benefits far outweigh any loss of privacy or other logistical considerations. With a little planning, you can create a positive and productive relationship with your au pair that will benefit your entire family for years to come. If you’re interested in becoming an au pair host, contact AupairWorld to learn more about the program and how it can benefit your home. Our online platform connects you with au pairs from around the world, making it easy to find a match that will fit your needs.
5. Make Your Au Pair Feel Part of the Family
Obviously, it’s important to treat your au pair like a family member. But there are a few things that will take your host family-au pair relationship to the next level.
A good starting point is to make sure that your au pair has an understanding of the house rules. This is important, not only so that your au pair knows what’s expected of her but also so that she can feel confident in her role as a family member.
For example, if you have children, make sure that your au pair understands the importance of the kids’ privacy. That means that she should never enter their rooms or play with them without permission. Also, be clear about the house’s rules regarding guests and visitors. Your au pair may be unfamiliar with how these rules apply in the US, so it’s a good idea to explain them thoroughly.
Many Host Parents also find that it is helpful to have several face-to-face meetings with their au pairs during the first few weeks. This is a great time for your au pair to get to know the children, and it’s also a chance for you to clarify any issues or questions she might have. It’s also a good opportunity for you to discuss any changes to the au pair’s schedule or any other pertinent details.
Finally, don’t forget to show your au pair that you value her and that you are excited about having her in the family. This is an excellent way to help her get past homesickness and will show her that you are invested in the success of her au pair experience. One of the best ways to do this is to provide her with regular reassurances and praise for her efforts.
