3 Tips For Surviving Your First Week As An Au Pair
Hey Au Pairs!
The first week of au pair life is full of many ups and downs. To sum it up in one word, it’s overwhelming. Adjusting to a new country, schedule and essentially new life is tough! When I think back to my first week as an au pair I remember feeling lost and alone. Just know your feelings are valid and you are not alone.
Here are three tips for surviving your first week:
1. Communicate
Communicate with your family as soon as you arrive! The beginning of your au pair experience is the best time to talk more in depth about what your schedule will look like and what your expectations will entail.
It might feel a little awkward at first asking to sit down with the parents (when the kids aren’t around) to sort everything out, but this is the time to do so! This way there are no misunderstandings and you can start your role as an au pair on a good note.
I also advise sitting down with your family after your official first week and checking in to ask the parents how they think everything went. I did this after my first week of au pairing and as nervous as I was to chat with them about my first week through their eyes, it went well. They told me I was doing a great job and to keep up the good work! This was also a nice time to sit down and get to know them better without the kids running around. I went to bed extremely relieved and satisfied knowing in my heart that the family was happy.
2. Explore
During your free time go out and explore your new surroundings and meet up with fellow au pairs through the APOP forum. You can also sign up to become an APOP member. There are always au pairs who are willing to meet up for a coffee or quick bite!
Also if you’re in Paris check out the APOP bucket list, it contains a plethora of information on discovering the city. When I first got to Paris, my new au pair friends didn’t know where to go so we would always refer to the bucket list whenever we wanted to hang out. Meetup is also great ways to get out and meet new people! There are always interesting events publicized on there that can help you get out and meet new people.
3. Be Kind to Yourself
The first week may be full of ups and downs but remember to give yourself grace and not grief. We’re only human after all and make mistakes. Your family will be understanding. You also might feel overwhelmed and rightly so, because moving abroad to work is a HUGE deal. Take a moment to cry, vent or even binge watch your favorite series along with some yummy treats because you deserve it. Remember this is only the beginning and things will get easier as you start to develop more of a routine and flow!
Do you remember your first week as an au pair? Let me know in the comments down, and check out the video down below where Hanna and Edwina reflect back to their first day as an au pair!