Claudette Roehl

TOP TEN HELPFUL HINTS FOR NEW AU PAIRS

1. Stay in Touch with Your LCC.  Call if you can’t come to a meeting. Let us know if you’ll be out of town. Most important , call if you have a problem. We like hearing from you. 
2. Be A Good “Buddy.” Remember what it is like to be a new au pair. Welcome new arrivals. If you are asked to be a buddy, arrange to meet the new au pair and bring him/her to the next meeting. 
3. Take Responsibility for Your Actions. No one is perfect. If you make a mistake, take responsibility and try to correct the situation. 
4. Respect the Privacy of Others. Gossiping about au pairs and their families may be very harmful.  If your friends confide in you, honor the confidence. Do not tell your host family about what goes on in other families.
5. Negotiate For Change. If you have a problem, present it to your host parents clearly and calmly. Suggest your solution to the situation. Listen to what they say. Try to reach a comprise. 
6. Follow House Rules. The only way you will establish trust is by following rules–even those with which you may not agree.
7. Be Considerate of Your Host Parents.  Keep them informed of where you are going. If you are planning on traveling, discuss the details with them and make sure your plans do not interfere with their schedule. 
8. Be A Good Example. The children you care for look up to you. Don’t you do things in front of the children that their parents wouldn’t want them doing.
9. Shower or Bathe Regularly. Most Americans value cleanliness as a virtue.  Families expect that their au pairs will bathe or shower regularly and change into clean clothes daily.  Deodorant is also helpful.
10. Admit If You Don’t Understand. Let your family know if the language is a problem. Admit if you don’t understand a word or directions. Ask questions. Relax-your English will improve rapidly during the first few weeks, and after you become accustomed to the family’s routine, you’ll find that the number of questions will decline.