Taking your au pair on vacation with you
Hi - Thanks for the website, it is very helpful to me as a new host parent. We are planning on taking a vacation this summer and would like for our au pair to go with us - not to work - but just to have her along as part of the family and let her experience the U.S. beyond our location. First we are considering whether we should consider vacation week one of her paid weeks of vacation (she won't have to work but will be traveling with us).
But my question to other host families is, if you have taken your au pair on vacation with you, what expenses did you pay for? We plan to pay for her hotel room, her meals, and her transportation, but what about museum admissions, entrance fees and things like that? Our au pair does not spend ANY of her money, and I know that if we don't pay for these items, she will opt to stay in the hotel room by herself. But then she won't enjoy the vacation as much.
I appreciate any advice you can provide! Thanks, Lisa
Successful vacation
Hi all!
We took our au pair on vacation with us to Hawaii. It really worked out well. She worked about 4 hours most days, giving my husband and me some time for scuba diving. The rest of the vacation she spent falling in love with Hawaii.
Next time we plan to suggest that our au pair invite a friend to meet them where ever we go. That way she will have someone to bum around with when she isn't working.
Also I think it is very important to note that setting up guidelines and sticking to them is crucial. We had a family meeting and all took a turn explaining our wants and needs. Because of all the open communication it turned out great.
I think some host families forget the equal part of au pair. Just treat them how you would like to be treated.
cheers! o-mom
Host Moms and Au Pairs - o-mom Is So Right!
Hi there o-mom!
Thank you for a great comment and advice. Hawaii - your au pair is very lucky! It is so beautiful there.
You make a very good point here about good communication - it is essential is any solid, working relationship and so many host parents, especially the host moms, forget this critical element in developing a great rapport with their au pairs.
I had host moms who used to leave notes under the au pair's door (telling them what they wanted them to do for the day; the weekly schedule or just to voice a complaint or vent). The au pairs were sad to receive these notes instead of a nice conversation over a cup of coffee with their host moms.
Au pairs really look to the host moms as their anchor when they arrive, and when the moms do not provide warmth and openness and stability, the au pairs really suffer emotionally.
Thank you for the opportunity to get that off my chest! I have wanted to discuss this for a long time!
Host moms, be nice to your young au pairs - and treat them like a daughter. You will reap the rewards of your good actions and make a close friend for life.
Edina
Great Question!
Hi. Great question. Yes, this is a very good option for taking along your au pair on vacation. You just need to work out the details and be upfront with her about the trip. Tell her you would like to take her, and you will spend X amount on her room, meals, etc. but all other expenses are her's. You can also work out babysitting, and tell her that she will babysit sometimes and you will pay her - this gives you and your spouse time alone, and she will be able to make extra money to pay for additional expenses so she will not sit in her room!
Have fun!
Edina
Vacation and your au pair
My au pair and our family vacation: We did take our au pair with us - but it was a "working" vacation. She was working 45 hours a day (not really, since we were there spending time with the family)and we paid for her expenses and room, etc. She had to come, since she was working (no issue there) and she got to lie on the beach and spend time with us as well, it was a nice bonding experience and actually enhanced and strengthed our relationship. And when my husband and I wanted to go out or spend time alone, she was there to cover!
My advice - take your au pair on vacation! She expects it; take her as a working au pair; keeps her out of the house (which is not a good idea to leave an au pair alone at home) and you have a babysitter with you at all time. Great time to bond as a family.
Sassygirl