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Step 1
Follow the rules. Yes, I do mean all of them. The au pair is not an indentured servant. You should never work your au pair more than the allowed hours per week. If at all possible, actually have the au pair work less – this encourages better interaction with your children when they do work.
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Step 2
Be inclusive. The au pair should be treated as a member of the family. If you are going on a vacation, include your au pair. Let your au pair enjoy this family time with you. The bonds between you will grow stronger as the au pair finds their place in the family.
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Step 3
Encourage contact. Encourage your au pair to meet and interact with others their own age. They will be in contact with other au pairs in your area, but it is also nice for them to have friends close to your home for social interaction.
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Step 4
Have patience. Your au pair will need some time to adjust to your family’s way of doing things, be patient as your au pair works to fit into your family. No two families of the same culture ever do things exactly the same, and now you are bridging cultures.
Comments
leadcounselor said
on 5/9/2009 Check out www.aupairselectionadvice.net. A new website created by a lead counselor with over 14 years of experience and hundreds of aupair/family matches 'under her belt. We provide phone interview questions, which are hard to come by due to liability concerns. Advice for pre-screening and EFFECTIVE communication. In our Parent Forum you can share your stories and get advice
leadcounselor said
on 5/9/2009 Check out www.aupairselectionadvice.net. A new website created by a lead counselor with over 14 years of experience and hundreds of aupair/family matches 'under her belt. We provide phone interview questions, which are hard to come by due to liability concerns. Advice for pre-screening and EFFECTIVE communication. In our Parent Forum you can share your stories and get advice
edinastone said
on 5/1/2009 Great starter article! AuPairMom is the best place for hands-on advice, stories and tips. If you want to research au pair agencies and countries where the au pairs are recruited from, please check out www.aupairclearinghouse.com - the nation's first consumer website on the au pair industry.
cvharquail said
on 3/20/2009 This advice in this article can start you off on being a good Au Pair Mom (or Dad), but there's a lot more too it. Good thing you can come to the blog www.AuPairMom.com for advice, insights and stories from other host moms. www.AuPairMom.com is a not-for-profit blog, and is not affiliated with any au pair agency. It's written by moms, for moms, with honesty and candor. Come visit!