As a first-time host family with Cultural Care Au Pair, everything was new to us: the interview process, the nerves of hiring someone before ever meeting them in person, and the part of learning to live with someone outside of your immediate family. When we started this journey, I found myself constantly saying a silent little prayer that everything would work out, and it did.
What I remember most about that time period was how new and exciting it was for all of us! However, two and a half years later, the actual details from welcoming our first au pair had become a bit fuzzy. I had to sit down to recall all of the things we learned as a first-time host family to help us better embrace our second au pair, Laura.
I think it's easy to forget all of the things that your new au pair needs to know when you get comfortable like how to run the dishwasher or using the washer and dryer. Some au pairs come from countries where line drying is more popular than owning an electric dryer.
Of course, showing your au pair around your house and neighborhood is important, but so is showing them how your local grocery store is set up and finding out what snacks they prefer. The more you can do to make them feel welcome the faster everyone will settle in. Our family even went as far as getting our au pairs a few driving lessons to make sure they were at ease to take their driver's test.
One more key factor to remember is that no two people or au pair will be alike. It's important not to compare. Refrain from making comments like, "well so and so use to do it like this". Give them time, and remember this is a first for them. Each au pair may have a different way of doing things, learning, or showering your children with love. All of these things take time but your au pair will find what works best for him or her.
Of course, another important item to cross off your list is updating your host family handbook with the latest emergency contacts, house rules, expectations, schedules, and curfews. You may want to change a few things from your first year since there is a learning curve for host families and au pairs alike.
Since your au pair will likely bring your family little things that represent or remind them of their country, we like to do the same. Our family puts together a little basket of local snacks and goodies for our au pair to be greeted with when they first walk into their room.
However, I would say that the most important thing that I have learned along the way is that first impressions are key. It is very important that whoever you choose feels loved and welcomed from the very start. Here are some things that I did to our au pair’s room to make sure she felt comfortable and special from go.
I was sure to clean up and clean out her room well. I didn't want her to find a bunch of little things that belonged to our first au pair. Whatever our first au pair left behind was donated so Laura didn't feel like she was moving into someone else's room. I wanted her to feel like this space was hers.
I also went to her Cultural Care Au Pair profile and Facebook page and printed out photos of her and her family for frames around her room and pinboard in her hallway. Then, I framed our wifi network and password so that she immediately had the information and was able to log on and contact her family to let them know she arrived safely.
Additionally, I stocked her bathroom with little things like nail polish remover, q-tips, hair ties, bath bombs, and a robe to give the room a warm and homey feel.
If you are a first-time host family saying goodbye to one au pair and hello to another, I know it can be hard to divide your feelings. You feel sadness when one au pair departs. Some families might even feel an allegiance to the person leaving, but instead of thinking about "losing" someone, think of it as adding to your family. I've always wanted this experience to be like joining a sorority. A link of friendship from one au pair to another with their common thread being our family.
