The Au Pair Handbook

Inspired by an actual handbook floating around Cologne, Germany, this blog is for soon-to-be, current, and former Au Pairs (and for those that are just plain curious)! Stories, pictures, and helpful tips are always welcome! I am also here to answer any questions you may have. var sc_project=9458029; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="bbd1c89a"; var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://secure." : "http://www."); document.write("");

[theaupairhandbook]

Hii. I used to love this blog so much! I wonder if the au pairs who know about this blog stopped au pairing, or if you have less time for this blog?

Hi! It’s a combination of everything. Au pairs cycle out, and ask less. I’ve had a lot less time too, with working full time, and going back to school. Lastly, the biggest bit is Tumblr hasn’t been great lately. I don’t get any notifications, and almost no asks! I just saw a post yesterday, where if you send yourself ten asks, you will probably only get one of those. So, it’s been hard!

If I get more asks, I will post more. I should start reblogging some older posts to drum up interest too.

[liebesdeutschland]

Bremen

[theaupairhandbook]

Do you know of any au pair or nanny blogs? Thanks!! Your blog is great!

I don’t! Maybe some people can comment with recommendations though!

[simpl-beautiful]

[breathtakingdestinations]

Hólaskógur - Iceland (by twiga269 ॐ FEMEN) 

[wanderlusteurope]

The little ray of sunlight, Grünau im Almtal, Austria

[theaupairhandbook]

I still follow. I used to love reading your answers. So please keep going

Thank you!If I start getting asks again, I will post more often.Thank you for reading!!!

[theaupairhandbook]

Hey! I wasn’t wondering, I know that for the Au Pair visa in Germany you need to enroll on a German course. Do you think I can pay for a month and show that at the embassy? My plan is to stay for a year but it would obviously be too expensive to pay for a whole year. What do you suggest doing? Thank you!!

Usually it is just a monthly payment! I would also ask about discount rates for au pairs. I went to VHS, and the cost was like over 200 euros a month, but dropped to like 80 euros for two months. You don’t even have to go the full year usually. I did like three months of intensive courses and then stopped going! Whatever works for you though!

[theaupairhandbook]

Are you still doing this? It’s gone pretty dead. I think you should be paid to help au pairs. Please come back.

Ahhhh! I just found so many asks! The Tumblr app doesn’t show me asks anymore at all, so I literally have no idea they’re sitting here, until I sign onto my computer.

I’m not sure how old this is. 

Do people still follow this blog? I can definitely be more active, if people are interested!

[theaupairhandbook]

The grandfather of the kids I look after lives with them and he watches porn on his tablet in the living room!!! I walked past him three times when he watched porn in the last month and I think it’s creepy

Barf! Talk to the parents about it. That's not right. It's truly a form of sexual harassment too.

[dollymyfolly-deactivated2026032]

My roommate is Macedonian and she didn’t know the word for “gums” so she called it “teeth meat” and I couldn’t agree more

[theaupairhandbook]

Hi, I look after 3 kids ages 3,6 and 8(nearly 9). The two older kids do not listen at all, the elder one doesn’t listen, shouts at his parents and hits and punches and actually pulled scissors on his sister. How do I discipline in making them calm and that they listen. I love the family, they’re amazing. I just want to get the kids to listen. Also talked to the parents but they just say to show love etc.

Sorry that I didn’t answer sooner. The Tumblr app hardly works, and I’m rarely on my computer, but I will make more of an effort now.

That child sounds like he needs professional help. So, I would personally approach his teacher and say something, because they’re able to get someone involved, and are able to monitor his behaviors. 

Outside of that, just know that it’s a hurdle. Once you realize and expect issues, it’s easier mentally. I have had a few problems kids, and anticipating it made it easier to manage. With those kids that were hard to control, I would try form separate relationships with them. When you’re off the clock, try to bond over TV/movies, YouTube videos, crafts, sports, reading, or whatever. Those little moments, even for a few minutes help so much. They know you want to be there for them, and you feel more like a friend to them. Once there is trust there, they’ll open up to you, and explain their feelings a bit more. They also tend to be a bit more sympathetic to YOU, when they start acting out. 

I also never threatened to tell the parents (even if I was going to), and I would always try reasoning. It’s really some trial and error, to see what works. It could be that the kid just needs some alone time. It also helps to talk about the problems in a nonconfrontational way, when things are calm.

I hope this helps, even a little!

[theaupairhandbook]

Their initials are D.L and J.S, they're a gay couple with baby twins (boy, A &girl, S) via a surrogate in the states. D.L is from Spain and J.S is Canadian/Greek. They're 40/41 and live in Geneva. They refused to buy me food, I worked all night (night shifts) and day 7 days a week, took $230 off my pay, belittled me, had crazy rules and lie about you when you leave accusing you of things you didn't do. Awful family. Really need to be avoided!!!

Family to avoid!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theaupairhandbook]

Apw have blocked my profile even though saying they are unable to come to a conclusion as to whose in the wrong. I'm disgusted that they've just taken the family's side. So glad I already made the choice before to finish being an au pair.

I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve heard that happening a few times with AuPairWorld, and it’s honestly because of money, because chances are the family will use them for years to come, while an au pair will probably turn sour (with reason), and never use them again. it’s honestly irresponsible, because au pairs are mostly young women, and these sites should be advocates for them, but they really don’t care much. 

I’m truly sorry that you went through all of this, and the family walks away fine, and will push the issues on someone else. 

[theaupairhandbook]

I have been a preschool teacher for 2 years. I also have a "lead teacher certificate" from a community college which means I have 24.5 units in child development. But, I don't want to be a teacher anymore. What I really want is to be a nanny. My parents won't go for it. They think it will leave me with too much responsibility if something were to happen to the children. What can I say to convince them?

Watching a classroom of kids is even more risky, in my opinion! Things are bound to happen, and it’s all about being prepared to handle it, with first aid training, CPR, and so on. You could make some decent money too! If it makes them feel better, you can always go through an agency that has insurance and whatnot.

Good luck! Remember, it’s your life!

[theaupairhandbook]

I love my host family but both of my host kids have head lice (which they get treatments for but nothing else) and now I have headlice ://// it's awful, I hate it and I'll buy some medicine for it tomorrow but I like everything else about my family...

I’m sorry! That’s something that happens though. Most kids get lice at one time or another. I got lice for kids before, and I wasn’t happy, but it’s not like it was their fault. Lice love clean hair, and being near kids makes it more likely that you’ll get them too. Hopefully it’s all sorted now though!

[theaupairhandbook]

I left my host family a little over a year ago after I finished my full year with them. We had ups and downs, but truly ended good and enjoyed our year together. The issue is I miss the kids all the time still. I think about them almost every day and I get sad thinking I'm not in their life much and that someone else is caring for them now. What can I do to ease this pain? They're young (5 & 3 now) so it's not like they can have much of an independent relationship with me outside their parents.

Skype and call them! Also, plan a trip to visit them, or have them visit you! It really helps the kids remember you, and helps ease some pain!