What is an Au Pair?
* A common question asked by many parents looking for child
care alternatives is, "What is an au pair?". To answer this
question let's look at the actual definition of 'au pair'. It is
pronounced "o pair" in French, and means "on par" or equal,
denoting living on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring
relationship between the host family and the young person. Like
an older sibling, the au pair is included in all family
activities, unlike an "employee" of a nanny agency who might be
excluded from family meals, holiday celebrations, and other
activities. In Europe today, tens of thousands of families and
au pairs continue this practical and mutually valuable tradition
and the custom is spreading around the world.
* She is officially designated as an Exchange Visitor by the
United States Department of State and is brought here from other
countries to the USA to assist parents in caring for their
children.
* Where a nanny or childcare service provider may have many
different families and children for which they provide services,
an au pair is treated as a family member and becomes a 'big
sister' to only your children . Unlike a nanny or childcare
service provider who considers her childcare responsibilities a
job and leaves at the end of a work day, your au pair lives with
you and becomes a regular member of your family, bonding with
your children and enriching their lives with their love and the
language and culture from which they came.
* An au pair is a "big sister" from an exciting faraway land.
Your au pair will live in your home as a family member, and will
be available to assist with the care of your children for up to
45 hours per week.
* Although heavy housework is not permitted, au pairs can share
in routine family chores and light housework such as making the
kids' beds or helping them straighten their rooms.
* Quite simply, au pairs, although not trained professionally,
can handle many aspects of childcare - responsibly and
efficiently. Whatever care and support you might ask of an older
son or daughter, you may ask of an au pair. (However, some Au
Pair agencies offer au pair's that are more highly trained.)
* Au Pair's are expected to take accredited courses through a
higher learning school in order to learn more about our culture
or country.
* An au pair is here to enrich your lives and to experience the
life as an American.
* Culture exchanges are a part of everyday living in your home.
The au pair will share her knowledge of her country and its
customs as well as learn about yours. For example: many au pairs
love to cook their traditional meals for you and also to learn
new recipes to take home to their country that depict American
cuisine.
What an Au Pair is NOT!
* An au pair is not a maid or a servant. They are not here to
do your personal cleaning and chores.
* Au Pair's are not your personal chauffeur's or taxi service.
For More Information please feel free to visit my Blog
http://au-pair-nanny.blogspot.com