Finding a suitable Au Pair is a challenge. With so many experts offering their services, you should know what to look for when choosing the right professional. At the same time, it is essential to make the relationship work. It should be a win-win situation for both of you. How can you ensure this? What should you do?
- Select the Au Pair after much consideration: Portals like Expert AuPair allow you to come across several Au Pairs. But finding the one that meets your needs is still a task. Before you set up the interview, you should list your family’s requirements and specifications. You need to identify the best factors for you and your family. You know how your family operates, so look for an Au Pair who can fit the bill. Some aspects that you need to consider:
- The number of children an Au Pair needs to deal with daily, their needs, and so on.
- Your location is essential because the Au Pair must live with you. Ensure that she is comfortable with the place and will not make an issue of it later on.
- The professional should be fluent in multiple languages. Why would you consider hiring her if the expert does not speak your language?
- If you have specific meal plans that the Au Pair needs to follow, make sure that you clarify them right at the start. For example, your family may prefer proper sit-down meals rather than takeaways.
- Tidiness is essential. If the Au Pair is messy, it will be a big problem for your family.
- Empathy goes a long way in ensuring peace and balance in the house: Once the Au Pair starts living with you, you will get better acquainted and become aware of each other’s habits. Naturally, some habits will be different. Instead of making an issue out of everything, you should exercise empathy and overlook things that can be easily dismissed. If certain things are causing discomfort, you should discuss the matter to avoid any differences. This applies to both the host family and the Au Pair.
- Prioritize what is essential and what can be overlooked: When hiring an Au Pair, you must mention the tasks so the professional can prioritize things. This will be possible only when she knows what is expected of her. For example, you may want the Au Pair to spend time with your children once they return from school. At the same time, you want her to fold the clothes from the dryer. But what is more important to you? The Au Pair should prioritize that and carry out the other task once the first one is over.
- Be specific about your expectations: When interviewing the Au Pair, you should clearly explain your expectations so she knows what she is getting into. In the long run, she should not complain that she is overworked or unaware of her duties. There should be no confusion between you both. Both of you must be on the same page.
Summing it up:
Knowing what you want out of an Au Pair will help you select the right one. Always make a list of your requirements so that you can clearly convey them to the Au Pair. Do not rush the process; take your time to find the right one.
