I think this is a big deal how does an au-pair feel in a family, and how does a family feel with an au-pair. Which are the problems, why are there always problem between them? Why does everything change after some months, does the au-pair change or the family?
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@ ancsach90 - What makes you say 'everything changes after some months'? 'Why are there always problems between them?'. I'd call these phrases sweeping generalisations and would like to hear some more accurate details.
We had our little issues but overall it was a good experience, I learned lots of things from them and I learned things about life in general.
The big plus- I gained experience with children (there were 4 kids ages 2-9yrs old) and after that experience, when I came back to my country I had nanny jobs just because I had an oversee experience.
Starting August I will be an AP for a family in Aargau and I can't wait.
In my opinion the most important things are: communication, respect and common sense.
If the AP talks with the parents and viceversa about the daily activities/schedule/duties etc. and has all the things clear from the beginning then it shouldn't be any problem for the rest of the stay.
The family said back my papers and contract behind my back, and I worked without any contract. They didn't pay me, and it was my first job.
I was an au-pair 2009 aug- 2010 July
Everything was Ok in the beginning. In the last 5 weeks they gave me more work, they wanted to cheat on my working hours and pay less. ( fortunately I am good at Maths), They said that I can't be out after 10, because It is too late...Somebody stole my key, they said I lost it, this is my fault, and then I couldn't go anywhere until somebody found it. I don't know what changed.....
Visit these people mentioned here if you think you have merits to a case.
Things like those, that happened to you, can happen to any AP.
When I worked in Belgium I worked very long hours, Mon-Fri from 7am-9pm , sometimes 10pm. The pay wasn't that good and at first I really didn't know what to expect or how to do some things or how to schedule my working hours and duties. I was working half Saturdays also and sometimes till 4pm-5pm.
My duties were: cleaning the whole house, cooking for the whole family (the youngest boy had some allergies so I had to cook something else for him), washing, ironing, folding clothes, making sure everything is in order and everything is at it's place, the whole house is clean etc.
And of course childcare- I had the little one many hours per day so I had to take care of him, preparing his bottles, feeding him, putting him for his nap, play with him etc. plus the older children when they were at home.
I had moments when I wanted to come home, especially after the first week , but then I got used with the family and my schedule.
The children got close to me, the parents were easy to get along with (well...most of the times) so things were easier for me. If I had a problem or the family had something to tell me regarding my work we would sit down and talk about it.
I learned French (I didn't know French when I got there and the children were speaking French and Flemish..), I learned to cook new dishes, how to organize my hours and how to be a hands-on active person.
When I got back home, I said I will never be an AP again but...some things changed.
Now I want to be AP in Switzerland because I want to learn German and I have other reasons also, but learning a new language is something I really want now.
I ve just wanted to hear a family who has au-pair. What do they think?
On the other one, one of my colleagues had an au pair from South America, she seemed very happy with her...
GOod luck next time and to princessduck best wishes!
The Au Pair/Nanny employment thread (no ads!)
Some people..
Oh, am I slow today. And the Gold Medal goes to summerrain!
Lots of websites have different numbers but on my contract for Aargau is 600chf and I have a friend working in Winthertur and she receives 720chf.