Becoming an au pair can be incredible, but it is not a long holiday with occasional babysitting.
You may live abroad, improve your language skills and become close to your host family. You will also face early mornings, messy playrooms, repeated routines and children who sometimes refuse to listen.
1. Children May Test You
A child refusing to get dressed, asking for Mum at bedtime or saying, “You’re not my parent,” does not mean you are failing or that the child dislikes you.
Children often test their boundaries with new caregivers. Your host parents should support you, but patience and consistency matter too.
2. Tantrums Are Normal
Children may cry because their banana broke, the blue cup is unavailable or their sock feels strange. Stay calm, keep them safe and help them through it.
Before matching, ask how the family handles tantrums, discipline, screen time and bedtime.
3. Childcare Is Repetitive and Tiring
You may tidy the toys and find them everywhere again twenty minutes later. Normal duties can include simple meals, children’s laundry, school runs, packing bags and morning or bedtime routines.
This routine is not for everyone!
4. Being an Au Pair Requires Flexibility
You may have fixed working hours, days off and language-school times, but family life does not always follow the schedule. Children get sick, activities change, schools close early, trains are delayed, parents get stuck in traffic or meetings finish late.
Flexibility means occasionally adapting when something unexpected happens. It does not mean being permanently on call or regularly working unpaid overtime. Changes should be communicated and balanced with your agreed free time.
5. You Are Joining a Household
Your host family should provide accommodation, meals, pocket money and a respectful home. In return, clean up after yourself and respect shared spaces.
Tidying children’s rooms, preparing simple meals and washing their clothes are usually normal. Deep-cleaning the whole home, doing all family laundry or regularly working unpaid overtime are red flags.
Before accepting a match, ask about duties, working hours and family holidays. Use Auost messages and video calls to discuss expectations and see whetgher they align with yours.
There is no perfect host family. The best host family is the one whose expectations and communication style aligns with yours. Noise, mess, repetition and occasional changes are part of family life but respect and fair boundaries must work both ways.