A Day in the Life: Au Pair

Andrea started following my blog a while back and once I found out she was a fellow Georgia girl living in Australia, I knew we would have plenty in common. I’m excited to feature Andrea, an au pair, because this is a popular post-grad profession for those of us who love to travel. 

• Name: Andrea Sisson
• Location: Sydney, Australia
• Job Title: Au Pair

How did you decide that you wanted to be an au pair? I knew I wanted to take a gap year after finishing my Bachelor’s degree but had no idea what to do or where to go. A friend told me about a girl he knew who nannied for a family in Spain and absolutely loved it.

When my brother and I were younger we always had summer babysitters and I remember how much fun we had doing sports, crafts, and projects instead of staying inside and watching TV. I wanted to pass along that positive experience to someone else’s children.

Did you go with a program or find work independently? I decided to find a host family on my own rather than through an agency. I used a website that connects potential au pairs with host families through profile matching. Finding a family through an agency is another great option, and many au pairs find it helpful to have that support system to call on if there is a problem with their family during their stay.

How did you decide where you wanted to work as an au pair? Originally I really wanted to au pair in Paris. I even had a Skype interview with a family there. But after realizing how rusty my French was I thought I better stick to an English speaking country and Australia was next on my list. After living here I have realized how little I knew about Australia before I came, which has truly made it a cultural adventure.

Why is working as an au pair a good postgraduate option? Working as an au pair is a great way to directly immerse yourself into the lifestyle of another country. By living with a family you will learn more about the culture and customs than if you live in a hostel with other backpackers.

What is your daily routine like as an au pair? The daily routine for an au pair varies depending on the age of the children you care for. If you watch younger children you will have longer hours than if the children are school-aged and only require you to work before and after school hours.

I currently care for three lovely girls ages 3, 9 and 10. My routine usually consists of making school lunches for the two older girls and driving them to school at 9 a.m. While they are in school the youngest and I might go to the beach or playground, have a play date with another au pair, go to the library or paint pictures.

There have been some days when we have done almost all of those things in one morning. The attention span of a 3-year-old is extremely short so each activity tends to not last very long. At 3 p.m we collect the older girls from school and drive them to their various extracurricular activities (swim practice, dance class, art club etc.) and help with homework until the parents arrive home from work around 5 p.m.

Who is being an au pair NOT for? Someone who is closed minded, short-tempered or has a negative attitude. Great au pairs are outgoing, optimistic and able to adapt to new situations quickly. You have to remember that this type of job is all about the children’s needs, so even if you are not having the best day, you need to be able to put that aside until you are on your own time.

What have you learned from being an au pair? One thing I have learned from being an au pair is that it can tricky to live where you work. Even when you are “off duty” you have to remember that you are still a role model and should act as such.

What are the pros? 1. Saves you money. Living with a family saves money that would otherwise be spent on rent, food, and utilities. 2. Home away from home. In most cases, the au pair truly becomes an extended family member. It’s great to have people that care about you close especially when you are far from home for long periods of time. 3. You make a difference. Don’t forget that you have the influence to help shape a young mind. Small things like encouraging manners or keeping rooms tidy might not seem to sink in but the effect will be noticeable in the long run.

What are the cons? 1. Lower wages. You do not become an au pair to make lots of money. Because the family provides accommodation and meals the hourly wage will be less than the county’s average. 2. Household chores and cleaning responsibilities. Part of the au pair deal usually requires you to help with housework including laundry,  preparing meals, and light cleaning such as sweeping or vacuuming.

Do you need any certifications or knowledge to be an au pair? Generally no. It is helpful to have some previous experience with the ages that you will be looking after. For instance, if you don’t know anything about babies you probably wouldn’t want to work for a family with 6-month-old twins right away. If you go through an agency they may require you to become First Aid and CPR certified or go through an orientation course.

Any additional advice or information? Remember to have FUN :) This is the type of job that you will get out what you put into it. So the more enthusiastic and positive you are, the better your experience will be! Being a nanny is more challenging than people realize, but the memories and friendships you make along the way make it worthwhile.

Helpful Websites for Potential Au Pairs: 

• Au Pair World: This is the website I used to find my first host family. There is also an FAQ section for potential au pairs.
• Easy Au Pair: This page features helpful advice to read through before embarking on your first au pair adventure.

You can also check out Andrea’s blog, Aussie Au Pair, for more on her experiences. Do you have a unique post-graduate job or volunteer opportunity that has allowed you to travel? Send me an email and you could be our next interview!