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      At EurAupair, we believe in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our dedicated au pairs. Each year, we host the Au Pair of the Year competition, a heartwarming tradition that allows host families to nominate exceptional au pairs who have gone above and beyond in their roles. The competition not only showcases the incredible talent within our community but also f...

  As a EurAupair Community Counselor (CC), you'll be that all-important point person for au pairs placed in your area during their year abroad, and for the host families in your area during their program year. Find out about responsibilities of Community Counselor here. CC Dawn, Illinois"Being involved with EurAupair since the late 1990's has been the most rewarding experienc...

It may feel like full-time, in-home, educational and flexible child care is impossible to find — and pay for. However, au pair programs work to provide this precise solution for families who want something different for their children. Whether you're familiar with au pair programs or want to learn more, we've compiled some helpful information to help you get started. The Days of Having a Nanny Are ...

Au Pair Daniele from Brazil "My days with the quarantine has changed a lot. It used to be just me and the 2 years old girl for most of the time and just 2 hours with all of the kids. With the pandemic all of us needed to adapt with the homeschooling, no friends around and staying at home. Now that the weather is getting nicer we can go, at least, for walks. Other than that we are having long tim...

Searching for kid-friendly activities in NY? When you have a toddler, you have tons of fun options — but you need to plan carefully to find places that fit with your child's short attention span. Try these fun destinations for a day to remember with a toddler. Tisch Children's Zoo, Central ParkThe Tisch Children's Zoo is home to Manhattan's only cow, along with a slew of other animals your t...

People tend to joke that meteorologists can never give an accurate forecast. However, sooner or later, they definitely get weather patterns right. When big snow storms and other inclement weather events hit, parents can be thrown into a tizzy. Who will watch their kids when they have to be at work or visiting clients for important meetings? How can they make it in time to pick up their child...

The afternoon breezes have definitely become cooler, the leaves have fallen off the trees and New England has officially become a winter wonderland. This ultra-fun time of the year is the perfect opportunity for you to make suggestions for activities for your au pair and children. Why do you need to recommend indoor and outdoor activities? First, your au pair is not going to be as familiar with the ins ...

Is your family busy from morning until night? Welcome to modern life in Washington, D.C. and neighboring areas, one of the reasons mothers and fathers often contemplate a live in child care solution. City life can and does become hectic, which puts pressure on parents to get everything accomplished in what little time can be carved out. Unfortunately, even making to-do lists and maintaining calendars is...

The holidays are a time of great joy for families who love indulging in favorite traditions and exchanging gifts. But when you are away from home, as an au pair is, the holidays can also be a difficult time. Your au pair may feel uncertain about joining in family activities as a visitor. They may also miss their own family and feel overwhelmed by the buzz of the holidays. You can help your au pair feel ...

Au Pair of the Year 2020 – Edna Imbachi Guaca from Colombia As every year, EurAupair proudly announces the winner of the Au Pair of the Year contest.Congratulations to Edna! Read her essay below and take a look at her video here. “My heart is so full of love and excitement to be nominated for the Au Pair of the Year! What an honor! My host mom, Zaklina, showed me...

When you host an au pair, it is normal for minor issues to arise as the au pair adjusts to life in America and as your family adjusts to having a new family member. However, there may be instances in which the au pair is not what you expected. If you are having some concerns, consider trying these five steps 1. Work on Communication It's important to remember that language and cultural differences can ...

These days, child care can cost a fortune, as the expense of day care and nannies has grown exponentially. Many families struggle to afford these necessary services. But there are different options for child care that you may not have considered. In particular, there are affordable au pair options that are becoming increasingly popular. Learn more about the benefits of hosting an au pair for your child c...

Hosting an au pair is an increasingly popular and affordable child care option. But how do you know if your family could benefit from hosting an au pair? You may wonder, should I get an au pair for my child, and is my family right for hosting au pairs? Here are the top five advantages to hosting an au pair that may make the decision the right one for your family. 1. Cultural Exchange You and your fami...

You may have heard of au pairs, but do you know how they differ from a nanny? There are some key differences between the two, as well as many benefits to choosing an au pair for your family. How Is EurAupair Different From a Nanny Service or Agency? There are some essential differences between nannies and au pairs. For example, while nannies leave at the end of the workday, a EurAupair au pair will liv...

Hosting an au pair can be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. At EurAupair, we are a government-designated au pair agency that can help you find the perfect au pair for your lifestyle and needs. What Are Au Pairs Expected to Do? When an au pair comes to America, her primary duty is to provide daily child care while the parents are not home. Au pairs will quickly become an essential part ...

If you’re new to having an au pair in your home, there’s a bit of adjusting that comes with this transition. Your au pair will be figuring out where they fit into your family, and you’ll likely be making a few changes as well as you try to welcome them into your home and life. During this process, both of you will be asking questions and experimenting with new routines. Will the au pair take the kids o...

The City of Los Angeles, California is a sprawling metro area that boasts activities for everyone. The second-largest city in the U.S., LA has everything — beaches, parks, museums, amusement parks and plenty of activities for kids of all ages. If you have an energetic and curious little one, Los Angeles has all kinds of toddler-friendly activities that will be perfect. Whether you live in the city or ...

Hosting an au pair is a rewarding, exciting and enriching experience. She provides in-home child care and peace of mind for your family, you provide a warm home and hearty meals, and both she and your family benefit from building a personal, intercultural bond that will change your lives. When you welcome your au pair into your host family, you want to set the stage for the best experience possible &mda...

Are you considering or preparing for an exciting new addition to your family — an au pair? When you're looking for affordable, reliable child care that fits in with your daily schedule and your work life, welcoming an au pair into your home offers so many benefits for you and your family — from built-in care for your children to developmental cultural exposure and the opportunity to form new friendship...

by Mary Brown, EurAupair Host Mother Neila Maria Santana Costa joined our family as our Au Pair in April of 2018. My husband Dave passed away on March 1, 2018 leaving me and two young boys (Scott, 9 and Sean, 7) to figure life out without his love and constant care. I was left with a 70 year old family orchard and farm market business to run and the need to manage the boys’ hectic schedules and fear...

EurAupair Au Pair of the Year 2019 – Neila Maria Santana Costa from Brazil Everything started when I received an email from my host mom's sister in law. Her message was anything but happy; her father passed away last January (2018), just two months after her husband suddenly passed away from a heart attack. It became obvious that the family needed an Au Pair to help with their two boys. We exchanged...

In 1988, EurAupair opened its doors as a not-for-profit, public benefit organization, aiming to improve understanding among people of different countries through cultural exchange. This year, we proudly celebrate our 30th anniversary as we continue as one of the oldest, largest, and most trusted au pair programs in the United States. In thirty years, we have seen it all, from lifel...

If you’re thinking about welcoming an au pair into your home to care for your children, you might be wondering, “Can an au pair care for pets, too?” The simple answer to this question is no — you cannot require an au pair to tend to your pets. When an Au Pair May Care for Your Pets While providing pet care can’t be a formal job requirement for an au pair, there are instances when an au pair may assist....

Your au pair’s year is coming to end and you have chosen a new person to continue taking care of your children. The children have most likely created a bond with the current au pair and you might be wondering how the transitioning will go when the new au pair arrives. Will the children like her? How are the children’s lives impacted by this change? How long will the transitioning phase last until life fe...

Becoming an au pair can be both very exciting, and intimidating. However, EurAupair's Au Pair Programs in America offers you so many wonderful benefits that you will quickly grow to love it. Here are the four major benefits of becoming one of EurAupair's respected au pairs. Personal Development Opportunities Being an au pair provides you with a chance to grow as a person and learn to be the b...

EurAupair Au Pair of the Year 2018 – Lorena Simon from France     Here is Lorena's essay "This a story about a very shy 21-year old french girl, who left her country, her family, friends, and her daily life, to become an au pair for one year in the United States. This french girl is me, but now I am 22. I have been here in the United States for 7 months. I live in Cumberland Foreside in Main...

How to Prepare For and Conduct an Au Pair Telephone Interview? Selecting an au pair offers the chance to find the perfect child care provider for your home. You will need to interview the au pairs you think might be a good match for your family over the phone, which lets you learn more about them, explore their child care background and discuss what you both are looking for out of this experience. You...

Can My Au Pair Drive? One of the most frequent questions people ask us is can our au pairs drive a car? The answer is yes. EurAupair only accepts applicants who have a driver’s license. We know many families will rely on their au pairs to drive children to and from school, to sporting events or on fun outings. Knowing they have successfully passed a written and behind the wheel test and have experien...

When Your Au Pair Arrives If you’re preparing to welcome an au pair into your home, you may be wondering what you should do to be ready for the moment she arrives. If you’re curious about how to prepare, you can rest assured that getting ready for your au pair is a fun process you and your children can experience together.   How to Prepare for Your Au Pair: Ask Questions Preparing for the arrival o...

History fills the streets of Boston, but that’s not all the city holds. Boston offers many exciting spots perfect for your young child. Even if your tot isn’t ready for the major historical sites, you’ll find plenty of things to do with your toddler in Boston, MA. Here are our top picks for toddler-friendly activities in Boston. New England AquariumWhen deciding what to do with toddlers in Bosto...

Never say goodbye… | An Au Pair Reunion Story Say à bientôt or auf wiedersehen because you never know when you’ll see one of your au pairs again. It happened to me in July. I got a call from my host family asking if I could come to dinner. Kim, our au pair from Germany, was back in the States! I had conflicting plans that evening, but I called one of my friends and my current au pair, Charlie, and a...

Chicago is known for its excellent live theatre, amazing cuisine and cultural activities, but it’s also a wonderland for families with young kids. The city offers up a wide range of activities perfect for the active, curious toddler set. Not sure what to do with a toddler in Chicago? Keep reading for an assortment of ideas for toddler activities in Chicago.   Shedd Aquarium Tons of tanks full o...

Finding a long-term solution for child care can be tricky for busy families. Depending on your area and the ages of your children, there may be many different options available to you. The key is finding a solution that fits the current and changing needs of your family and your lifestyle. In-home child care options seem limited to nannies and au pairs. Hiring a nanny or hosting an au pair might be two ...

Why Host An Au Pair | Question to Consider When Choosing to Host Is my family's need just temporary or do I need regular full or part-time child care? Do I want my children to be taken care of at my own house and doing extra activities or stay at a day care facility? Do I perceive the support from EurAupair as valuable or am I too busy to have someone check-in on me regularly? ...

Tips to get the host children more interested and involved in their Au Pair's culture and language One of EurAupair's missions is to improve understanding among people of different countries through cultural exchange. However, sometimes the children might not initiate their interest in learning about where their Au Pair is from. Here are a few tips you can do to incorporate some of the ...

Living abroad for a long period of time is something exciting, thrilling and exhilarating but can also be complicated and stressful at times. Everything can be so different from what your au pair is used to: language, landscape, food, weather, driving, customs and much more. Although you may want your au pair to dive right in your family’s routine and lifestyle, it may be useful for you to understand wh...

We hope you have had an amazing and successful year! For many, the au pair year has provided many memorable experiences and opportunities for growth. You may feel like you are a different person now than when you left your home country. Here are some tips on how to cope with reverse culture shock.  

Joining the military isn't just a job. It's a lifestyle, and when you make your career in the military, you need to be prepared for all the requirements, enriching experiences, changes and challenges it poses — including the way it shapes your family life. If you claim the title of both military member and parent, you know how important it is to provide and care for your child while also meeting your se...

Mette is from Denmark and spent a year in San Antonio, Texas as an au pair. She is sharing the "best year of her life" in the video below, fulfilled with amazing and unique moments from the first day of school of her host children to traditional holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving. During her year as an au pair, Mette had the chance to travel and spent...

by Ilona Kinnunen, former EurAupair Au Pair It’s been almost 8 years since I and four other girls spent a year in California as au pairs. Now that we are adults, I wanted to see how they are doing. Specifically, I wanted to know how the au pair year has affected their lives ever since. For all the girls, except Alice, this was the first time they lived abroad for a longer period of time, away from ...

by Amy (and Luke and Mavis), EurAupair Host Family A little four year old girl knew immediately. As our jobs became more chaotic, always having someone to watch our daughter Mavis was getting to be a challenge. We had worn grandma and the neighbors thin, and we needed something more stable and reliable. I knew we needed someone that would be a constant, and love Mavis as we did. Luke, my husband, w...

EurAupair Au Pair of the Year 2017 – Karina Kolbe from Germany It's January, just a few weeks into the new year. "New year, new me", they say. Let's start where it all began. When I applied for becoming an au pair, I just finished my apprenticeship to become a kindergarten teacher. I had tons of experience in a daycare, but not so much of babysitting. After my time in the daycare...

While all au pairs at EurAupair have some experience caring for children, it's always a good idea to go over the following safety tips when hosting an au pair. Childproofing Keeping kids safe from themselves is a full-time job in and of itself. Help your au pair keep your kids safe by explaining the basics of childproofing a home and ensuring everyone in the household works to keep it so. Common ...

While America is not the only country that participates in the tradition of making New Year's resolutions, they do tend to approach them differently. Au pairs in the U.S. can use this as an opportunity to explore the American culture. Here are a few suggestions from EurAupair to get you started. Better Health Improving health is the number one resolution in America. Americans tend to focu...

Chances are, if you are an au pair in the United States, your host family will celebrate Christmas or one of the many other wonderful holidays that occur this time of year. Common among many of these events is exchanging gifts. Here are some holiday ideas for gifts that your host family will love. A Treat from Your Home Country The au pair program is designed to help spread cultural ...

5 Steps to Finding the Perfect Au Pair Is there such thing as a perfect au pair? The true answer to that question is more that there is an au pair who is the “perfect fit” to your family rather than the perfect au pair. Finding an au pair who is a perfect fit for your family depends on your own personal child care needs, lifestyle, and expectations. All of which you should think of and be aware of...

If you're hosting an au pair, you know it's a unique, beneficial experience for both your family and your au pair. While you gain access to flexible child care and life-changing intercultural exposure for your kids, the young woman you're hosting gets to explore a new country, make connections with a new family and participate in growth-oriented cultural exchange programs. Having an au pair in your famil...

As an au pair in America, partaking in the many traditions of Thanksgiving is a great way to develop a deeper understanding of American culture. From football to the traditional Turkey feast, here is a brief guide from EurAupair about modern Thanksgiving in America. The Basics of Thanksgiving As its name implies, Thanksgiving is a time to express your gratitude for all the good things in your life...

Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays by children, second only to Christmas. Who could blame them when free candy and dressing up in spooky costumes are included? Halloween is a great time for Au Pairs to engage their host siblings. EurAupair has prepared a few things you can do to make this Holiday “spooktacular.” Creating or Hunting Down the Perfect Costume Halloween just is not...

By South African EurAupair Au Pair Andrea Geldenhuys   I decided to become an au pair in my last year of school when I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to become or who I really was. December 2012 was my first year as an au pair and also my first time being abroad! I was so excited and had all these dreams of living abroad. I remember the day I said goodbye to my family like yesterday…...

EurAupair is here to assist you if you are looking to host an au pair; from the moment you apply, until your au pair boards her return flight at the end of her program year! EurAupair is proud of its excellent, well-trained, and extremely knowledgeable team of Community Counselors and Area Coordinators who provide invaluable advice to host families and au pairs in our program. While they won’t hesit...

Baseball…the great American pastime! Every au pair in the USA has their little, or huge, bucket list! As a former au pair, I have a clear idea of what kind of activities au pairs are excited about. Playing baseball is definitely on most bucket lists. It’s a typical activity and can be very exciting to discover while in America. Americans love baseball. We saw baseball everywhere, and Americans supp...

All across the country children are returning to school. As the air turns crisp and leaves change colors, host families and their au pairs are often at a loss for interesting and fun things to keep the children engaged after school. Here are six fun ideas for after school activities. 1. Head Outside After being kept inside for most of the school day, children need time to get outdoors and get their...

Summer is in full swing all across the USA, and with children out of school it is important to design a new schedule for your au pair to ensure her work hours do not go over the daily & weekly limit allowed by the program. Here are a few scheduling tips for families hosting an au pair in USA this summer. How to Avoid Over Scheduling Summer time often means that children spend a lot more ti...

Is your family participating in an au pair program? Hosting an au pair is an exciting, beneficial experience for both your family and your au pair. In addition to gaining in-home child care, you and your children will gain the rich benefit of cultural exposure — and your au pair will get to experience a brand new country. During your time together, she'll become an important part of your family — eating...

With children out of school for the summer, au pairs often find themselves wondering what interesting and engaging activities they can do to keep their host siblings entertained. Here are some ideas to consider! Around the House Long days and short nights bring many summertime hours to fill with interesting adventures. You don't have to leave the house, however, to keep children from utter bore...

By South African Au Pair Nomvula Khoza with the Koopal Family in Sarcoxie, MO. Even though we live on a farm, the house is very modern. I practically do everything with the family, especially the kids. There's so much nature around which I love, a lot of space to play with the kids, and because it’s remote, there's no bad influence on the kids which makes them grounded and appreciate life more. The food...

Au Pairs and Community Counselors in America - Highlight of the EurAupair's 2016 National Month of Giving   Au pairs and community counselors in America came together, once again, during EurAupair's National Month of Giving. This event allows au pairs and counselors to give back to their communities through volunteering. This is one aspect of the American culture that, we believe, must be shar...

Being a Community Counselor for an au pair agency is the local point of contact for host families and au pairs. The Counselor screens our host families, completes their orientation, helps welcome the au pair into her new home & community, and provides support throughout the year. But being a Community Counselor for an au pair agency is much more than this! At EurAupair we are grateful and a...

As part of their participation in EurAupair student exchange program, au pairs receive a weekly stipend from their host family to cover any personal expenses while in America. However, without mindful money management this stipend can quickly disappear, leaving you without resources to draw on in the event of an emergency. The Basics of the Weekly Stipend Each au pair gets a weekly stipend...

6 Easy Steps to Welcome your Au Pair into your Home!   Becoming a Host Family is an exciting time as you welcome a new member in your family. From preparing her room, to getting the children involved, and preparing phone numbers & addresses for your au pair, find out what steps you can take to make her transition into your home as easy & pleasant as possible. You can also read more abou...

Hosting an au pair through EurAupair is a great alternative to other child care options since it allows the host family to enhance the cultural understanding of their children, welcome a new member into their family, and receive flexible child care. Here are a few tips to help you create your au pair's schedule and communicate it clearly with her. The Basics of an Au Pair's Work Week ...

For au pairs in the USA, spending a year as an exchange program participant is an exciting opportunity to learn about a new culture, further their education, and become part of an American family as they help care for the children. Understanding the following terms may be useful for EurAupair au pairs applying to become an au pair in America. Area Coordinator – Your next point-of-contact ...

Many of EurAupair's host families will need their au pair to drive while in the U.S.; whether it's taking the children to appointments, to or from school, or to after-school activities. Driving in America is obviously different from many other parts of the world. Although all au pairs have a driver's license from their home countries, each will have different driving experiences and comfort lever. ...

More than just an affordable and convenient child care option, hosting an au pair is the best way to enhance the cultural understanding of your children in the comfort of your home. Au pairs will look forward to learning the American way of life and immerge into your routine, however, this is not an easy process. We gathered in this host family guide a few tips to keep in mind when se...

As a single parent, there are a thousand demands on your time every day. Between your job, picking up the kids from school, chauffeuring them to after-school activities, and caring for your home, you've barely got time to breathe. The situation becomes even more stressful when an emergency arises and throws your schedule into chaos. An extra pair of hands around the house would ease some of the pre...

Most of the discussion about au pairs centers on the services that they provide to working parents, especially child care relief and domestic support. What sometimes gets lost in the discussion are the benefits that au pairs can provide to your children. By integrating your EurAupair au pair as a true member of your family, you will understand the real meaning of a cultural exchange and see its many...

EurAupair Au Pair of the Year 2016 – Elise Ducam from France My name is Elise Ducam, and I spent one year as an aupair for the Borkowski family in Corpus Texas during the year 2014-2015. When I applied to be an au pair through EurAupair, I thought I would live a great adventure, but it never crossed my mind that I would end up with a second family! This experience has truly changed the way I s...

by Christine (and John, Alex, Zara & Emma), EurAupair Host Family My husband and I are both physicians, and we have three very active children. I am always very upfront with the au pairs during the interviewing process, warning them we run a busy life, and life with three kids, while a lot of fun, can be chaotic at times! Elise arrived in our family from France in August of 2014. Elise comes f...

The winter holiday seasons are an exciting time of the year to spend time with the family, however, for an au pair, the holidays can be a source of stress. The following information provides insight and tips to concerns commonly experienced with au pair programs during holiday season. Working on the Holiday Season Au pair programs do allow an au pair to work on holidays; however, it's vital to in...

As one of the oldest and most trusted organizations, EurAupair host families can be assured their au pairs will be fully prepared by the time they arrive into their homes! Your au pair will complete a pre-departure orientation prior to leaving her home country and will attend a week-long EurAupair workshop in NYC upon their arrival to the US. Check out what makes the EurAupair NYC Workshop so speci...

As an au pair in America, there are many activities you can do with the children on a regular day. However, when the children are stuck at home during the proverbial "Snow Day", how will you survive? Although your options may be limited, continue reading for a few of EurAupair’s top ways to get through snow days. Warm Up with a Bake Off One of the top ways to entertain the children on snow days is to w...

Hosting an au pair is an excellent opportunity to bring the world to children and provide them with a healthy cultural exchange. An au pair is a young international student or person who becomes part of your family, and takes care of your children and household during the process. The au pair becomes an integral, trusted, and beloved part of the family. While this program offers countless benefits, there...

I ask this question since I find myself at the age of 72 in an interesting situation. A good 15 years ago, an old high school friend asked if I’d be interested in becoming a community counselor for an international au pair placement service. Community counselor? What’s that? Well, my friend said, it’s kind of a “go-between.” You help qualify the host family who applies for an au pair through EurAup...

To start off, I was a “rescue” and then Alex and Julie took me into their family. For the past nine months, I am now in a lovely family from Long Island and I’m starting to feel sad that I’m leaving them in a couple of days. Back in Germany, I wished to have an awesome time in America, but things did not work out with my first family. I just wanted to go home, especially so close to Christmas. In this ...

Our EurAupair Community Counselors – CCs – are our most valuable asset. Day in and day out they provide encouragement, support and mentoring to their au pairs and host families. Counselor, advocate, mentor, and friend are just some of the roles they fill. They are our local marketing experts, too. Our program relies heavily on them for ensuring our au pairs and host families have a successful and rewardi...

You’ve gone back and forth thinking… is this really the right decision? Do we want to commit to bringing a young au pair from another country into our home? How many candidates should we talk to? Which one should we choose? You’ve finally made the jump and now it’s almost time for your au pair to arrive to your home! More questions arise… How to prepare for her arrival? Do we get her a gift? What will s...

Learn 7 Quick Facts about EurAupair Au Pairs!   Where are they from? How old are they? How are they screened? Do they speak English? Can they drive? How much experience do they have? Learn the au pair's basics right here!

By Kelly (and Micha, Erik, Max & Milly), EurAupair Host Family Let me tell you about our phenomenal au pair, Jacky. She joined us in August 2013, and from the very beginning has been an integral part of our family. When I decided to return to teaching and attend graduate school full-time, it made sense for us to welcome an au pair into our home to help care for our three young children. We kne...

  EurAupair Au Pair of the Year 2015 – Jacqueline Märsch from Germany The first week went by so fast, everything was a blur. I just knew I was in New York City, everything was like a dream. “Am I really in the States or am I just dreaming?” I walked down the stairs at the airport in Washington D.C. and there was my new family. I was really excited, but also very exhausted and tired. New York...

Want to host an au pair? Here are a few reasons why you should choose EurAupair!   Lower Program Fees! Our program fees are among the lowest of all au pair programs available, and so is the initial deposit. Some organizations have a program fee & also charge an additional matching fee. With EurAupair there are no hidden fees! Highest Repeat Family Discount! Our repeat families ...

Are you thinking of hosting an au pair? See all the benefits of selecting a EurAupair au pair compared to other child care services! Affordable, with a low average weekly cost. Reliable, with on-going support and EurAupair's 12-Month Au Pair Commitment. Flexible, allowing you to create your own schedule and to deal with the unexpected. All this combin...

Here follows a not-so-uncommon scenario… As a host family you are about to repeat for the first time. You have had a very successful year (or two) with your first au pair, who became a real part of the family. The second au pair arrives and things start to go off-kilter from the get-go. Within a month, you think this is not going to work and want a different au pair for your family. Are you a...

As an au pair, it’s a good idea to find a comfortable routine when living with your host family. Doing so will streamline your daily activities and make it easier for you to handle your responsibilities. Au pairs play a big part in their family’s experience and so the first step to figuring out the perfect routine is finding out what works best with the family.Do the children get up earlier a...

Many of our Community Counselors took the initiative to plan community service activities with au pairs in their areas. We know how much the American people value volunteering and giving back to local communities so we thank our Community Counselors for sharing such an important value of the American culture! To support their efforts and give a new dimension to this great idea, EurAupair has launc...

By Host Mother Wendie Cook During the Fall Foliage Festival in Canadian, TX, all businesses, schools and community facilities gathered together to support the city's biggest tourist event of the year. EurAupair Community Counselors Carla Haygood and Linda Rader, along with the Tony Cook family, hosting au pair Jennifer Glocker from Germany, offered their hands and feet to support this commu...

By South African EurAupair Au Pair Cristelle Fourie When I got the news that I was finally going to America I was overwhelmed with happiness! My first stop would be in Big Lick (Roanoke, Virginia). Here I spent my first year with the Eddy family Jennifer (mom), Sean (dad), Emanuel (3 years old) and Lillian (newborn). They truly became my family, my home away from home. We went on loads of adventure...

On a beautiful September day Chicago Community Counselor Gila and her group of au pairs went to Skokie Lagoons. They rented kayaks and with a tour leader rowed through the beautiful Forest Preserve for 1 1/2 hours. They were 2 per kayak; only one courageous au pair dared be alone. Everybody had a great time and enjoyed the day. Left to Right: Laura (Colombia), Julie (France), Elzet (South Africa), CC Gi...

On Saturday, September 20th EurAupair Community Counselors Bertha and Alexandra as well as two au pairs represented EurAupair at the Des Moines, Iowa World Food and Music Festival. Many families stopped at the beautifully decorated booth, asking about EurAupair services. Interested families inquired about the program, took brochures or postcards for further information and participated in the raff...

Many EurAupair Community Counselors across the country have started organizing community service meetings with their groups of Au Pairs. To support their efforts on a national scale, EurAupair will be doing its first National Day of Giving this coming November 8th! Community counselors together with their au pairs, as well as area coordinators and regional offices will gather in local soup kit...

Welcome to America! This fascinating country is a multicultural nation, home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and values. Aside from the now small Native American and Native Hawaiian populations, nearly all Americans or their ancestors immigrated within the past five centuries. As in every culture, holidays and celebrations are the reflection of customs and traditions that unites a na...

"So you never know what awaits you at a new place. I didn't expect this unknown city to change my life so profoundly." - Svenja Kupke Every year thousands of young people from all over the world embark on a special journey by becoming au pairs. Leaving behind the familiarity of their homeland for as long...

By Kim Solem, EurAupair Host Mom in Bellevue, WA The Solem family with au pair Nicole from Germany A few years ago, a rewarding new work opportunity came across my desk: an invitation to help build a new foundation focused on helping kids thrive in life through sports. It was perfect for me in every way, except one: it meant a big reduction in our family income. My husba...

by Kati (and George, Lisa, Leia & Ava), EurAupair Host Family Oh my God. What have we done?? We haven't even met this girl yet, and she is already writing to us telling us she loves us?? What if we can't stand her? What if our girls hate her? What if? What if? But what if we love her too and she changes our life? George and I had been going back and forth on whether or not to hire an au p...

“I believe in what the EurAupair program has to offer, both for families and for the au pairs. I used to be an au pair and even though, I know the challenges of living with a new family for a year far away from my own family, and adopting the language and the culture, my au pair year was still one of the best years of my life filled with excitement. So, knowing what this really means to be an...

When you welcome a EurAupair exchange participant into your home, EurAupair makes a contribution to Ronald McDonald House® in your family's name. By choosing EurAupair, you will be providing exceptional care and invaluable cultural opportunities for your own children. You will also be contributing to the welfare of children who have been stricken with life-threatening, and often terminal, illnesses. Rona...

By Emilie Terryn, Au Pair from France I have never been more excited in my life than when I received a call from EurAupair telling me that I had been chosen as one of the five finalists for Au Pair of the Year. Three weeks earlier, Kati, my host mom, gave me a copy of the letter that she submitted for the award. These were the nicest words that anyone has ever said to me. I cried all the time. I r...

Every year thousands of young people from all over the world embark on a special journey by becoming au pairs. Leaving behind the familiarity of their homeland for as long as one year, au pairs travel to distant countries, where they are welcomed into another culture as a part of their host family. To reward au pairs for the wonderful job they do caring for children, the "IAPA Au Pair o...

By Alice, one of our former au pair from France. " The best year of my life. My au pair year in Orange County, California has been a real dream! Leaving my host family, my friends, the kids… was basically one of the hardiest things I’ve ever done. But after several depressing months, I’ve built a new life in Paris… I’m writing this message from Lake Forest, California. I’m visiting my host fa...

Becoming an aupair or a live-in nanny offers a young woman many advantages. Besides giving her the opportunity to travel to places she’s never seen, it also gives the person traveling abroad a unique perspective. Danish Au Pair Jeannett and her host sister Learning about a language and a culture is an entirely different experience when one lives in the host country with a native-speaking fam...

The need for in-home child care has increased dramatically in many developed countries within the last century. As it is more common that both parents work outside of the home; and work hours beyond what traditional school or child care accounts for, a more intimate form of child care is being sought. Au pairs hold a role similar to the traditional “nanny”. They are in many ways more appealing...

The au pairs were divided in 6 teams of 3 and battled hot weather (94 degrees) plus road construction on their 15 point walking scavenger hunt. Community Counselor Vicki had created an interesting hunt. The au pairs had fun finding the places and learned some things about our wonderful city at the same time. Scavenger hunt winners left to right: Mareike and Janine from Germany and Bianca ...

From our Community Counselor, Jean Street “Our expanded group of aupairs from Raleigh, Cary, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and as far north as Greensboro, NC all got together for one big meeting and one fun trip down the Neuse river. We left the fast paced world behind and took a leisurely 3-mile float through the tree-lined banks of this peaceful river enjoying the scenic beauty of the Raleigh Can...

Our au pairs in the Atlanta, GA area met for an afternoon of mini golf. From left to right are Larissa from Germany, Bruna from Brazil, Janina from Germany, and Rieke from Germany.