Friendships for Life

So, I know I just posted and I would have been done for the day, but the last sentance in my last post stayed on my mind and I have to share this because I think it's a very wonderful aspect of the aupair program.

I've seen various au pairs return to visit their previous host families years after their au pair year and bring their own children to meet their American Family. Host Families from around the US have made the trip to their au pair's countries to attend their weddings, and other special events. I can't think of a more rewarding experience for the entire family to have such great relationships and bonds with people from around the world.

 

 

Au Pairs for Years

Throughout my time working with au pairs and host families, it's been a lot of fun seeing families who repeat the experience year in and year out.  I started in 2002 and still know of families who were in the program when I started that are still have au pairs today. 

Some of those families have had au pairs from over 10 different countries that speak various languages and have different cultures and traditions, so their children are well versed in geography, traditions, and cultures from all around the world. 

Others have chosen to stick with one country or language and their children are fluent in that language and familiar with the culture, traditions and food.

So many families have stated that although it is hard to say goodbye to one au pair, the fact that au pairs stay only 1-2 years offers them an opportunity to meet other people, and adjust their au pair selection to meet their particular needs at that time.  For example, when their children were young, they had specific requirements for an au pair (diaper changes, bathing, feeding, etc) and as they grew, those requirements changed.  As their children grew older, their need for a driver, someone into specific sports, someone who could tutor a particular school subject--including languages, etc increased while their need for someone to "babysit" decreased.  So, the change in au pairs allowed them to focus on the specific needs of their children.

I know I say it all the time, but I'll say it again--au pair childcare is the best childcare option out there!  Where else can you give your children the gift of culture, global awareness, language, and lifelong friendships?

Have You Lived Away from Home?

A lot of people who are looking for an au pair are curious as to whether the au pair has lived away from home.  They feel that it helps eliminate the potential of the au pair getting homesick if it is not the first time they've experienced being away from their family. 

61% of Go Au Pair's available au pairs have lived away from home.  Go Au Pair suggests some ideas of questions to ask au pairs who have lived away from home:

**How long have you lived away from home?
**Where did you live?
**How often were you able to visit your family?
**How do you think that you will handle living away from home for one year?

Mandarin Speaking Au Pair Available ASAP

Occasionally there are au pairs who come to the US and are placed with a host family and then for one reason or another they have to switch host families in order to finish out their year.  Those au pairs are called Transition Au Pairs and are available within two weeks. 
Xiaoqian is a 25 year old Chinese au pair that is currently in the US and available to start with a new Host Family as soon as possible.
About Xiaoqian:

--College Graduate
--Experience with children of all ages, including infants
--Daycare, tutoring, and teaching experience (as well as her current position as an au pair)
--Speaks English and Mandarin
--Some of her hobbies include swimming, cooking, playing piano and guitar

Au Pair Abroad

I talk all the time about the au pair program benefits for people here in the US, but have neglected to mention that the au pair experience can go both ways.  If you are an American young adult who loves children and has an interest in nannying abroad, I have great news for you!

Go Au Pair has a program that helps you be an au pair abroad.  You can choose the place, from a list of 11 different countries, where you want to be placed--including China, France, Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand. 

Just like the au pair program here in the US, you would be placed with a host family, experience a new culture and language, and have the support of an agency both here and in the country in which you are placed.

I definitely recommend you do it!  It will be the experience of a lifetime!!

Au Pair Sis--Get Involved!

If you are an au pair and you haven't joined the au pair sis forums, you are missing out!  There are recipes, crafts, fitness ideas, and other discussions going on, as well as a book club starting soon. 

Au Pair Sis also has a Facebook page, so be sure check to it out.  If you have any questions (about the au pair program, childcare advice, etc) there is a place there where you can ask Au Pair Sis and see what other people are asking.

Dish Detergent vs Dish Soap

The Au Pair Sis posted an informational video on Facebook about the difference between Dish Detergent and Dish soap.  I found it really ironic because the other night, my mom was at my house doing my dishes and she accidentally put dish soap in my dishwasher.  So, au pairs, don't feel bad if you have made this mistake!  It happens to the best of us :)