TALK. 7 Life Hacks to make your life easier
Tuesday, 1 November 2016
Being an au pair seems great from the outside - and it still is
from the inside, after all it was the best year I've had so far -
but it can also be very stressful some times. It's stress you will
learn to treasure highly.
I'd always wanted to do something else after finishing high
school, before starting university. So I ended up as an au pair
with a lovely family with four children in beautiful Taupo. Based
on that I will try to give you some life-hacks that I hope will
make your and your host family's life easier.
#1 Don't take yourself too serious
Although you are responsible for the
children during your working hours - and to some extent afterwards
as well - you should not see your role as a big sister or role
model rather than an authoritative figure. Yes, the children have
to listen to you and do what you tell them to do, but let them try
and come up with convincing arguments every now and then.
Neither do you always have to be the
lovely, nice, perfect playmate. Friends tease each other and some
kids will use every chance to tease you. Don't be shy to return
that compliment but don't let it be a hurtful one. They will
respect you sooner if they feel you're fun and not just another
adult who tells them what to do.
#2 Establish well-meant authority
This might sound a little
schizophrenic if you just read #1. It basically means that you
can't let yourself be pushed around by your kids. Responsibility is
an important skill everyone has to learn. Depending on the
children's age you can ask them to do some things on their own. Get
the 3-year-old you are looking after to carry and pack his own bag
when leaving for playgroup. He's old enough to put his water bottle
and his lunch box in and carry them while you obviously carry the
heavy things like spare clothing. If he throws a tantrum about not
wanting to - wave good-bye to the bag and box and start leaving
without it. Children will want their stuff to come along and will
get it themselves if you don't.
#3 Some rules are more like guidelines and not set in
stone.
Which does not mean rules are there
for no reason: don't break any strict rules the parents established
- it is their family and they will have the last word - but most
guidelines are there to help everyone through their day more easily
and they will change according to situations. No one will mind if
the kids have an ice block for afternoon tea instead of an apple
because it is the first hot day of summer or if you let them stay
up a little longer during school holiday because you're having a
great time playing board games right now. By widening rules every
now and then, you'll establish something like a secret between you
and the children, with the parent's knowledge of course ;)
#4 Share attention equally!
This is an important one! If you
care for more than one child, always try to share your attention
and time equally between them. How would you know if a teenager has
trouble in school if you don't make time for them as well? Of
course a baby or a toddler will need more specialised attention
than a teenager but little ones also can entertain themselves for
half an hour while you play Monopoly with the older kids.
#5 You're not an entertainer
Of course your job description lists
as number one thing to discover, experience and teach children but
that does not mean you have to entertain them 8 hours a day. Push
them towards independence by letting them find their own
activities. There will be some times during the day in which you'll
have other things to do than playing Lego. Let the children know
that they can always come to you if they need help and you will
play with them some more later but while you're cooking, the
kitchen bench is not a safe place to play.
#6 Find playgroups and playgrounds
Playgroups and playgrounds are a
great place to spend some hours. Talk to your host parents if it's
okay to take the children out for an outing. Pack some snacks and
warm clothes and go to a playground. Like I mentioned in #5: you
are not an entertainer. Busy or bigger ones are nice to visit as
there will be other kids around to play with and other adults to
talk to, maybe even one of your au pair friends.
Another great morning activity are
playgroups. Luckily, Au Pair Link organise them on a regular basis
but check with your host parents if there is a locally funded
playgroup close-by they might want to join. It is a great way to
get the children out of the house to play in a safe environment
while you can share a cup of coffee with other caregivers.
The easiest option of course is to
invite a few of your amazing au air friends and their kids and have
a play date at your house. This way the children can show off their
awesome toys to their friends, while you are close to a source of
coffee or tea.
With these hacks you're all set to have an even better time than
you're already having!
