How to start a new relationship with your Au Pair
Since as we all know first impressions are key, it is important to try to make that first welcome and first weekend with your new au pair a little special. Here’s how!
Go to the Airport for Personalized Pick-up
The au pair has come a long way to be with your family, and the simple gesture of picking her up at the airport goes a long way as well. Au pairs always arrive in New York on a Monday, where they complete either the regular 3-day training or then fly to their host cities on Thursday, or, if participating in the 4-day Infant Specialized Care Program, fly to their host cities on the Friday. In both cases, the host family should meet their au pair from Au Pair Care at their local airport to welcome her.
Rule number one in my book is try to be on time for her arriving flight. Call ahead to check on any delays, and plan for traffic and parking, especially since the flights are evening arrivals and may coincide with rush hour.
When I was an au pair (many moons ago), from Au Pair Care I arrived at the then Denver Stapleton Airport to find no family to meet and greet me, and it was scary and upsetting, and unfortunately set a bad tone from the outset. I think if at all possible it is also really nice if the whole family, Mom, Dad and the kids, are able to all be there at the exit to meet their new family member. I know many of my host families make special signs, or take balloons or flowers for their au pair’s arrival as a welcoming first gesture. For the car ride home, especially if this is a longer trip and you are concerned about any initial awkwardness, perhaps have some questions lined up for her like, How her flight was? Her time in New York? Did she make any friends? What did she learn? What were her impressions and what did she see in the Big Apple?
Make Her feel Welcome in her New Home
When you arrive home, it is of course nice to have prepared a welcoming environment, so perhaps (if you’re like me at any rate) a little tidy up before hand is in order! and certainly to have made her room (and if applicable, bathroom) comfortable and ready for her, with fresh linens, space for storing her clothes and other things and perhaps a desk. If you haven’t already given her a small gift such as flowers at the airport, maybe instead at home, you have prepared a welcome sign/note, flowers, balloon, teddy bear, or little gift basket to include things like a local area guidebook or some initial toiletries for her use.
While there are no prerequisites for gifts or what goes in an au pair’s room, I think it goes without saying that it is just nice to make things as initially welcoming as possible. You may want to give her a quick initial tour of the house and may have prepared a nice first dinner – either home cooked or out at a local restaurant. Just remember in your excitement that she will most likely be very tired, jet lagged and overwhelmed, so don’t overdo it that first night.
Clear you’re Schedule
The first few days you spend together are crucial in establishing a foundation for a successful relationship. For the remainder of the weekend, it is nice if you are able to keep other commitments to a minimum and are able to spend quality time with your au pair from Au Pair Care. I know we are all super busy with chores on weekends, but you have known her arrival date for some time, and it does not send out the right message if that first weekend, you are off here there and everywhere, soccer practice, dinner with friends, or immediately launch into leaving her alone with the kids as you go out. Not that you have to arrange anything fancy for her, but as I said, perhaps just a nice meal, some quality time together, a short tour of the local neighbourhood to orient her, all just to show her that you are genuinely happy she is here and to welcome her into your fold – Mi Casa es Su Casa!
Those of you that are veteran host families; I would love to hear of any other things you and your family do to help your Au Pair feel welcome and settled that first weekend!
http://www.flickr.com/people/23341217@N07/?search=aupaircare is reputed Au Pair Care Agency providing child care services through qualified Au Pairs.
Processing your request, Please wait....
