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What Are Some Easy and Fun Cooking Ideas for Au Pairs?

Au Pairs are usually responsible for preparing simple, healthy meals for the Host Kids, like lunchboxes or quick after-school dinners. Fun cooking ideas include dishes that are easy to make and involve the children — such as homemade pizzas, pancakes, fruit salads, or cookies. Involving kids in tasks like stirring, decorating, or choosing ingredients makes cooking enjoyable and interactive. The goal is to keep meals nutritious, kid-friendly, and engaging. Sharing recipes with the Au Pair community can also provide fresh ideas and inspiration.

In this article you will learn more about Au Pair's duties in the kitchen and get wonderful ideas for tasty recipes!

As an Au Pair you will have to face different responsibilities related to child care.You will be taking care of the children, teaching and playing with them, you will be helping and looking after them when the parents are away. Among these duties, cooking is a very important one. Be sure that children will fall in love with your recipes and with the cooking process!

This can be a challenge, especially if the Host Family follows a healthy diet. First of all, we want to clarify which duties the Au Pair has in the kitchen and what she is not supposed to do as well.

Does the Au Pair have to cook for the Host Family?

An Au Pair should be able to prepare tasty and healthy meals for themself and for the Host Kids. The majority of Host Families expect the Au Pair to prepare sandwiches that the children can take to school and to provide them with a good meal after school. Each family has a different approach, though: some parents rely completely on the Au Pair, others like to cook, while the Au Pair only has to warm up the meal. Especially in case of allergies and food intolerances, the Au Pair must be well informed so that she does not accidentally use the wrong ingredients!

However, the Host Family cannot require the Au Pair to cook for the whole family. Some Au Pairs are happy to introduce their local cuisine to the Host Family. Even if you are homesick, eating your favourite food can be comforting. In any case, an Au Pair is not obliged to cook for the whole family unless there was a specific agreement on the contract. Both sides should talk about the requirement before starting the experience in order to avoid misunderstandings.

Can the au pair involve the children in the cooking?

Of course it can! But the right question would be, can the Au Pair make cooking a new interesting activity for children?

In the first place, since having children around while cooking may be not that easy, we recommend you to invite them to participate by helping you. Children usually enjoy being of help and allowing them to mix the ingredients or check the time may be a lot of fun for them! Also, they are really curious and love learning new things so it is important for you to keep them involved, explain the steps you both are following (don't forget that they are a big part of the team!) and ensure that they are going to be curious enough to try new meals out.

By following our tips, cooking may become your favourite activity!

Share your recipes!

Are you a great chef who never runs out for good cooking ideas? Do you have a blog for cooking or baking is your passion? Do not hesitate to share your ideas with us!

In order to provide our big Au Pair community with new cool and easy ideas, just leave a comment below. Help those Au Pairs who don't have a passion for cooking and find it hard to create new meals as well as to give those passionate cooks new challenges and tasty meals to try out. From sweet to salty, from breakfast to dinner, all your recipes are welcome!

Can Au Pairs work more than 45 hours?: No. Every country has its own regulations for how many hours/week the Au Pair is allowed to work, and they correspond to a specific monthly pocket money. In some countries, like the USA, this includes extra babysitting hours. In other Host Countries it depends on the agreement between Au Pair and Host Family.

Can an Au Pair have a second job?: It depends. If the Au Pair is an EU citizen and is staying within the EU, then he/she can have another job. For the rest of the cases, it depends on the visa the Au Pair holds, the amount of hours she already works and the specific labour laws of the Host Country.

Do Au Pairs get a salary?: Yes! An Au Pair receives several benefits in exchange for help with childcare. One of these benefits is regular pocket money. This money helps the Au Pair to bear some personal extra costs. The amount may vary depending on the Host Family, the working hours and the host country. If an Au Pair wants to babysit some extra days, the Host Family can give her some extra holidays in the future.

What is an Au Pair? The definition: An Au Pair is a young person that wants to experience another culture and learn a new language by living in a foreign country with a Host Family. In exchange for a private room and some pocket money, the Au Pair takes care of tasks related to childcare and easy household chores. They are considered temporary "big brothers or sisters" for the Host Children and will hopefully become a new additional member to the Host Family.