How do I know my au pair is ready to get behind the wheel?

If you are going to have your au pair drive as part of her responsibilities, there are some things you need to consider before she gets behind the wheel. You will want to review the driving information on her application, ask detailed questions during the interview process, and understand that roads, cars and rules of the road are different in the U.S. Once she arrives, review important safety information with her and take her out driving. Make sure you cover car seat use and set expecations about car use. Watch my video for more information.

Is an au pair the right choice for adoptive families?

Many parents with adopted children find hosting a Cultural Care Au Pair to be a good childcare fit for their family. An au pair provides an extra pair of hands, personalized care in an at-home, supportive environment and exposure to language and cultural traditions. Watch the video to find out more reasons why many families with adopted children choose an au pair for their childcare needs.

What are the au pair monthly meetings all about?

Monthly meetings are a chance for your au pair to connect with other au pairs, touch base with your local coordinator and have fun. At Cultural Care, four meetings per year are safety meetings through our Continuing Education Program. Host families must ensure that their au pair can get to the meetings because they are an important part of the au pair’s year. To learn more, watch my video.

Can my au pair teach my children her native language?

One of the great benefits of bringing an au pair into your home is exposing your family to another culture and language. It is important to remember that one of your au pair’s goals will be to improve her English while she’s here. If you do want your children to be learning your au pair’s native language, it is definitely possible. You just have to make sure that you find a happy medium. You can do this by setting expectations in advance. It is important to establish mutually agreeable guidelines so that both your au pair and your family are making the most of the cultural exchange experience. Watch my video for more details.

What happens if it just doesn’t work out?

Most of the time the au pair/host family works out really well for everyone involved. Sometimes, though it just doesn’t work out. If you set expectations ahead of time about how things will be handled if you are not getting along, it can make a transition much smoother. Au Pair Answer Mom talks about how to avoid a transition and how to handle one if it does occur in this video.

What do I do if my au pair is homesick?

Adjusting to a new culture and family can be difficult. If your au pair is homesick, encourage her to get to know your community, make friends, and get involved. One of my au pairs found that volunteering at our local animal shelter made her miss her dog, and home, less! For more advice, watch my video.

How much does it really cost to host an au pair?

It’s a common myth that hosting an au pair is only for wealthy families. That is simply not true! Our average weekly cost is just $340—and that’s per family, not per child. For an honest look at the financial implications of hosting an au pair, watch my video.

What do I do if my au pair’s visa is rejected?

After you make your final selection of your au pair, visa paperwork is forwarded to her and she schedules an appointment for an interview at her local U.S. embassy or consulate. We help prepare the au pairs on what to expect at the interviews and the vast majority of au pairs visas are granted. Unfortunately, a visa rejection is always a possibility, no matter what country the au pair is from as it is up to the discretion of the consular officer who interviews the au pair at the US embassy to make the decision. If you decide to support a visa rejection appeal and Cultural Care sees potential for a positive outcome, you can write a support letter for the au pair candidate. If you do not wish to support a visa appeal, let us know right away and we will do everything we can to match you with another au pair as quickly as possible. Watch the video for more details.

What can an au pair do?

Provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare for your children. They can also help with light household duties – helping with the children’s laundry, cleaning up after the kids, and preparing meals for your children. Watch my video for more details.

What can I do to make my new au pair feel welcome?

It is important to make your new au pair feel welcome. You might want to send something to her at the Au Pair Training School in her first week in the U.S. Greet her at the airport with homemade signs and balloons. Decorate her room with photos from home and small gifts—PJs, a travel book on your area, a baseball cap for a local sports team. Show her around your town. Help her get her drivers license and open a bank account. Watch my video for more details.