Au Pair Thoughts

After arriving home in rainy England yesterday (I'm missing the pool so much!) I have been thinking about my time as an Au Pair over the past two years and I've learnt so much and it has helped me to grow as a person; I'd definitely recommend Au Pairing, especially if you enjoy travelling, as it's a great way to live in another country without all the costs of living! But back to being an Au Pair... I've learnt so much

#1 If you have little ones, there is never a lie-in. Weekend mornings are those of waking up to the sound of crying/screaming children

#2 Breakfast time is the meal from hell. Scratch that, any meal time can be your personal version of hell

#3

You will laugh at their temper tantrums

#4

No, you're not a bad person for laughing at a crying child

#5 You will become the biggest kid ever

#6 You'll love watching that program you loved as a kid more than your kid does!

#7 Au Pairing is probably the best job (you're paid to play, and in some countries, paid to be at the beach or swimming pool everyday!)

#8 You're kids will become the only thing you talk about

#9 But maybe by Friday you can't wait to escape them for the weekend... and that's ok

#10 You're kids will do disgusting things (like spit on you)

#11 You will be made to do things you might think are disgusting

#12 You will get messy...very messy...where there are kids there is always mess

#13 Kids=mess

#14 But no matter how messy, you will love them (probably unconditionally)

#15 You can't and won't stay mad at them for long; no matter if she kicked you or bit you or shouted at you, they won't remember upsetting you and it's not worth holding a grudge. Remember they are only kids after all...

but...

#16 If they are quiet don't trust them

#17 If they are not quiet, still don't trust them

#18 Especially if they are quiet, something suspicious is going on... But probably the most important and worthwhile lessons I've learnt as an Au Pair are;

#19

Whilst your primary job is to teach them a foreign language and look after them, you'll probably learn just about as much from them, as they have you

#20 I have learnt the true meaning of selflessness and that is probably the biggest and best lesson