AuPairWorld Blog: Focus on host families

What's it really like having an au pair in the summer months? A German-Spanish family based in Barcelona shares their story. 

Finding a productive partnership with your au pair

Liliam and her family recently moved from the Netherlands to Berlin and will soon welcome their sixth au pair.

In this blog series, host families from all around the world share their experiences. Claudia, an expat host mum in Canada will tell in an interview what is it really like having an au pair?

Some weeks ago, we wrote about what ought to be done if an au pair was to accompany a host family on their holidays. Today we would like to focus on the other option: Below you will find some useful tips on what should be done if an au pair does not come along on the family trip.

Chontelle Bonfiglio, an expert on bilingual development and creator of the blog Bilingual Kidspot, explains in this guest post how au pairs can enrich your family experience with a second language.

The routines of everyday family life get all mixed up when a family heads out on a vacation trip. Thinking ahead will let you find the right role for your au pair during this time.

Building blocks for shared happiness – with your kids and your au pair

In business management, there's lots of literature about "onboarding" new employees – that is, how to bring them quickly and successfully into a new organisation. Host families and au pairs can also profit from these insights.

Every day every family needs to nourish itself and (one way or another) get three meals on to the table. Sometimes, when all the family members – host parents, kids and the au pair – are brought into the meal-making process, it can be good fun and good value for all involved.