So you just made the decision to welcome an Au Pair into your home. Obviously, you want to be the best Host Parents you can be. But saying someone is a new family member and actually making them feel like one are two different things. So how can you really make your Au Pair feel at home? Let’s find out together.

Picking them up

The arrival of a new Au Pair is very exciting for both, Host Family and Au Pair. And that’s perfectly normal. After all, it’s a pretty weird situation: A bunch of people who have never met in person decide to become family and live together for a long period of time. But just because your situation is weird, doesn’t mean you have to make it weird. When you go to pick up the Au Pair, take as many family members as you can to show your new family member that they’re important to you. Greet them with the biggest smiles and warmest hugs in the world. Even if your Au Pair is a little scared of their new situation, be as welcoming as possible. This will help your Au Pair feel comfortable right from the start.

Welcoming present

Nothing says “welcome to our family” quite like a little something from the heart. This could be anything - pictures your kids drew for the Au Pair, pretty paper and envelopes for them to write letters to their family and friends, maybe even an instant camera for them to take with them on their travels. As long as your Au Pair can see that you put thought into it, you can’t go wrong.

Cozy room

Their room will be the most important room in your house for the Au Pair. So make sure it’s comfortable. Do you know their favorite color? Or their favorite flowers? Add a bouquet to their room to make it smell good and invest in some cozy pillows and blankets in their favorite color. Allow them to hang pictures of their loved ones and help them when needed. Depending on how big the Au Pair’s room is, there should at least be a bed, a closet and a desk.

Listen

The first few months will be hard for your Au Pair. They will start missing their family and friends and might even isolate themselves for a while. Make sure to give them the time and space they need, but even more important: Be the person they can come to when they feel down. Have an open ear for their problems and try to cheer them up by cooking their favorite dish or just playing board games as a family with them. Don’t judge - everyone feels homesickness differently. Just be willing to listen when they need to talk.

Family time

What makes someone feel more at home than feeling like you’re part of the family? Exactly - nothing. So make sure you include your Au Pair in family activities! Have dinner together, celebrate holidays together, maybe even go on vacation together. Include your Au Pair in activities like these and they won’t be able to feel like an outsider.

I hope you were able to get some inspiration for what you will do to make your new Au Pair feel at home. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be there for them. Simple as that. If you make an effort, the rest will follow.

Sammy-Jo
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