Spring break is around the corner for many of us and this is a time when aupairs often get to go on vacation with the host family. This can be a great experience to see new places and get to know your family better. Here are some suggestions and advice to make the adventure better.
*When you travel with your Host Family on "their"
vacation, you need to remember that this is "their" vacation and not
"your" vacation. The Host Family will pay you your weekly
stipend if you work 20 hours or 45 hours. Please keep in mind that you most likely
will not work your full 45 hours but you need to make sure that you offer to
the family to help out with anything. A good example is this: Your host family
is taking a vacation and has asked you to come along because they need your
help with the kids. If there is a younger child who takes a nap during the day
but the older children do not nap, the family may ask you to be with the
younger child in the house or in the hotel room for a few hours while they
spend time with the older children. You should not be upset or get mad if a
host family asks this of you. You should actually offer this to the family.
If your host parents would like to enjoy a nice dinner together alone
one night, you should offer to watch the kids for a few hours in the evening so
they can have some time together. Remember you will be able to have your
free time each day, just don’t make or show it as a high priority to your
host family.
**Your host family is not expected to pay for all your food,
snacks or beverages during the day. They should pay or have food
available for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Example: If you are with your
host family at a theme park like Disney World, your host family is not
responsible for paying if you want ice cream, cotton candy, pretzels, pop,
candy or souvenirs. If they are purchasing snacks for the kids, you need to
make sure that you jump in and say that you will pay for your own so please remember
to brings money for "your extras".
***It is also very important for you and your family to talk
about what they expect of you during their vacation. Each family is going to
have different expectations and different vacations. If you discuss them prior
to traveling, you will know what to expect. Some families might not be able to
tell you but just say they need you to be open to anything. Your host parents
may want to play golf, tennis or go shopping without the kids so you will need
to watch them even if it is a warm sunny day outside and all you want to do is
lay in the sun. Remember to NEVER take your eyes of the
children when they are swimming in a pool or lake. That means, no talking to
friends, boys, sleeping, using cell phones or running back in the house/hotel
to get something.
Children do not know
the difference between a vacation/weekday/weekend so please remember never
to say to a child(or your host parents) during a vacation(or anytime!)
- “It is not my time to watch you”
- “It is Mommy/Daddy’s time to do that or help you”
- “It’s the weekend and I don’t watch you on the weekends”
- “I’m not working right now”
- “It is not my responsibility”
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