Comments on: Au Pair? Start here. http://AuPairMom.com Helping Host Parents and Au Pairs build great relationships. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:53:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Au Pair Gema http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-21590 Au Pair Gema Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:31:19 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-21590 I'm 23 year old student from Spain who would love the opportunity to be part of a Jewish family working as an Au Pair. I am looking forward new experiences, learning Jewish life and customs and also improve my english!! I've recently visited Israel and I was fascinated by the culture!! I' m responsible, fun and I have had experience babysitting children. If you are interested email me: gem1bcn@gmail.com I’m 23 year old student from Spain who would love the opportunity to be part of a Jewish family working as an Au Pair. I am looking forward new experiences, learning Jewish life and customs and also improve my english!! I’ve recently visited Israel and I was fascinated by the culture!! I’ m responsible, fun and I have had experience babysitting children. If you are interested email me: gem1bcn@gmail.com

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]]> By: Riswan http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-21061 Riswan Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:16:52 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-21061 I’m a 23 years old experienced manny from India, trustworthy, reliable, hard-working looking for a wonderful family if anyone interested please mail me at riswaniofd@gmail.com I’m a 23 years old experienced manny from India, trustworthy, reliable, hard-working looking for a wonderful family if anyone interested please mail me at riswaniofd@gmail.com

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]]> By: phil C http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-20064 phil C Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:03:22 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-20064 Hi there, has anyone tried aupaircity at all? i understand its a new website for au pair's and families its based in the UK as far as i can tell plus it donates money to charities. have a look www.aupaircity.com please come back to me and tell me what you think, i have just registered as we are looking for an au pair. Thanks Phil Hi there,

has anyone tried aupaircity at all? i understand its a new website for au pair’s and families its based in the UK as far as i can tell plus it donates money to charities. have a look http://www.aupaircity.com

please come back to me and tell me what you think, i have just registered as we are looking for an au pair.

Thanks Phil

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]]> By: bailey http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19816 bailey Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:35:21 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19816 Thank you, both, for your information :) ! it was very helpful, and i am taking what you told me seriously , i will work harder in my german classes, and do my best to educate myself for my stay in Germany :)I have heard horror stories about au pairs being over worked, not having time off, and feeling stuck. hopefully with your advice along with other reaserch, this will not happen to me. Really, thank you :) Are there any au pairs here, or anyone that knows of an au pair that took a gap year before college to au pair ? If so what was the experience like for you, and was it harder to get back into the school mentality ? Thank you, both, for your information :) !
it was very helpful, and i am taking what you told me seriously , i will work harder in my german classes, and do my best to educate myself for my stay in Germany :) I have heard horror stories about au pairs being over worked, not having time off, and feeling stuck.
hopefully with your advice along with other reaserch, this will not happen to me.
Really, thank you :)

Are there any au pairs here, or anyone that knows of an au pair that took a gap year before college to au pair ?
If so what was the experience like for you, and was it harder to get back into the school mentality ?

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]]> By: MommyMia http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19802 MommyMia Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:20:57 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19802 Bailey, GermanHM has some excellent advice for you! It is APs from other countries coming TO the US who need to use agencies, as it is required by our Department of State and offers legal protection to both the families and APs. As she rightly points out, the cost is often a deciding factor between two excellent candidates. We used a German-based website, AuPair-World.net, that I thought was an excellent forum - both the families and girls who posted profiles on there just seemed more professional and serious than GreatAuPair, at least to me. Definitely try out your language skills or post your profile bi-lingually - it does make a positive impression. Ditto that "good luck!" Bailey,
GermanHM has some excellent advice for you! It is APs from other countries coming TO the US who need to use agencies, as it is required by our Department of State and offers legal protection to both the families and APs. As she rightly points out, the cost is often a deciding factor between two excellent candidates. We used a German-based website, AuPair-World.net, that I thought was an excellent forum – both the families and girls who posted profiles on there just seemed more professional and serious than GreatAuPair, at least to me. Definitely try out your language skills or post your profile bi-lingually – it does make a positive impression. Ditto that “good luck!”

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]]> By: GermanHM http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19800 GermanHM Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:39:48 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19800 Bailey, it's good if you have already informed yourself about the details. I only wrote this because of the experiences I have had with some prospective APs, I am not implying it's the case with every US AP! I honestly don't think you have to worry about being overworked. The legal limit in Germany is 30 hours per week, and while there are always horror stories, the HF I know are extremely fair regarding this limit. My APs have always had plenty of time to explore Germany and Europe. And if you feel unhappy within the family you are placed with, you can terminate the contract within 14 days, and I'll bet you money you'll have found another host family within a week, especially if you are flexible as to region – most US APs seem only to want to live in Munich or Berlin! ;-)! Re the agency - other US aupairs may have experiences to share about this agency, I can't comment. But speaking as a HM again – I would not use an AP that comes through this agency. Why? I don't like to burn money ;-)! The cost for the HF to use this agency is around 1500 EUR – whereas "normal" agency fees for a HF are 300-500 EUR, or 0 if you go through a website. Bearing in mind that you don't have to use an agency in Germany, and that the agency doesn't do much after the initial placement, why should I use them? I can get an English speaking – if that is what I want - AP from the UK at no extra cost through a website. The tendency among HF I know in Germany is – use an agency if it is an AP from an exotic country or if it is your first AP. Else they tend to search themselves through a website – more choice and much cheaper. For you as an AP, the agency offer is nice – you get your flight paid (normally you are responsible for this cost) and may have a local representative. But you are much more "expensive" than the average AP, so you limit your choice of families (and the region – this agency operates mainly in Berlin). The families you are offered are probably on the wealthy side, but of course that doesn't guarantee that they are "good" families... If I were you, I'd apply to this or another agency, but I'd also "shop around" on a website to see what else is on offer (hint: write your profile in German – it shows commitment). Best of luck! Bailey,
it’s good if you have already informed yourself about the details. I only wrote this because of the experiences I have had with some prospective APs, I am not implying it’s the case with every US AP!
I honestly don’t think you have to worry about being overworked. The legal limit in Germany is 30 hours per week, and while there are always horror stories, the HF I know are extremely fair regarding this limit. My APs have always had plenty of time to explore Germany and Europe.
And if you feel unhappy within the family you are placed with, you can terminate the contract within 14 days, and I’ll bet you money you’ll have found another host family within a week, especially if you are flexible as to region – most US APs seem only to want to live in Munich or Berlin! ;-) !

Re the agency – other US aupairs may have experiences to share about this agency, I can’t comment. But speaking as a HM again – I would not use an AP that comes through this agency. Why? I don’t like to burn money ;-) ! The cost for the HF to use this agency is around 1500 EUR – whereas “normal” agency fees for a HF are 300-500 EUR, or 0 if you go through a website. Bearing in mind that you don’t have to use an agency in Germany, and that the agency doesn’t do much after the initial placement, why should I use them? I can get an English speaking – if that is what I want – AP from the UK at no extra cost through a website.
The tendency among HF I know in Germany is – use an agency if it is an AP from an exotic country or if it is your first AP. Else they tend to search themselves through a website – more choice and much cheaper.

For you as an AP, the agency offer is nice – you get your flight paid (normally you are responsible for this cost) and may have a local representative. But you are much more “expensive” than the average AP, so you limit your choice of families (and the region – this agency operates mainly in Berlin). The families you are offered are probably on the wealthy side, but of course that doesn’t guarantee that they are “good” families…

If I were you, I’d apply to this or another agency, but I’d also “shop around” on a website to see what else is on offer (hint: write your profile in German – it shows commitment).
Best of luck!

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]]> By: bailey http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19798 bailey Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:39:05 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19798 thank you for your advice :) ! i know that the pay will be very small, my reason for going is the experience, not the money. i am currently working on my german skills. i understand i will need to speek german with the children, i anticipate that. my biggest concern is feeling over worked, or feeling like i don't have ebnought time off to enjoy the culture. i have no problem with working, but i don't want to feel like a slave either. i just want a family that is as excited as i am about this, and is supportive. I don't think being american gives me any sense of entitlement, or means i will be payed more. http://www.aupaircare.de/inbound/ this is a link to a company i am considering using. has anyone used this company before and have complaints or good things to say ? thank you for your advice :) !

i know that the pay will be very small, my reason for going is the experience, not the money.
i am currently working on my german skills. i understand i will need to speek german with the children, i anticipate that.
my biggest concern is feeling over worked, or feeling like i don’t have ebnought time off to enjoy the culture. i have no problem with working, but i don’t want to feel like a slave either. i just want a family that is as excited as i am about this, and is supportive. I don’t think being american gives me any sense of entitlement, or means i will be payed more.

http://www.aupaircare.de/inbound/

this is a link to a company i am considering using.
has anyone used this company before and have complaints or good things to say ?

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]]> By: GermanHM http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19783 GermanHM Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:06:22 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19783 Bailey, I am a HM in Germany, so I'll jump in here: It is very hard to generalize what families expect and want, as of course every family has its specific needs dependant on age and number of children, family lifestyle etc. Look through the family profiles on the websites - f.e. apworld - to get a better idea. What is your childcare experience – have you done babysitting? What ages? Be specific in your profile. The experience should not only be great for you, but also for the family. A word of advice: Before applying, familiarize yourself with the legal parameters of the program in Germany. Often, the enthusiasm of US wanna-be-APs suddenly wanes once they realize how little they will earn. Don't expect to be paid more simply because you are American! It should be very easy and quick to find a family through a web site, many parents would like an American au pair. However, those who have had one have sometimes annoyed by their sense of entitlement... So be very clear not only about what you want but also what you can accept - and what you bring to the family. You might want to try to improve your German a little before going, depending on how basic it is. Yes, most people speak English (it will be harder to get people you meet to speak German with you, they usually enjoy practicing your English), but if your host children are small, they will not! Bailey,
I am a HM in Germany, so I’ll jump in here:
It is very hard to generalize what families expect and want, as of course every family has its specific needs dependant on age and number of children, family lifestyle etc. Look through the family profiles on the websites – f.e. apworld – to get a better idea.
What is your childcare experience – have you done babysitting? What ages? Be specific in your profile. The experience should not only be great for you, but also for the family.
A word of advice: Before applying, familiarize yourself with the legal parameters of the program in Germany. Often, the enthusiasm of US wanna-be-APs suddenly wanes once they realize how little they will earn. Don’t expect to be paid more simply because you are American!
It should be very easy and quick to find a family through a web site, many parents would like an American au pair. However, those who have had one have sometimes annoyed by their sense of entitlement… So be very clear not only about what you want but also what you can accept – and what you bring to the family.
You might want to try to improve your German a little before going, depending on how basic it is. Yes, most people speak English (it will be harder to get people you meet to speak German with you, they usually enjoy practicing your English), but if your host children are small, they will not!

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]]> By: bailey http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19774 bailey Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:46:27 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19774 my name is bailey, i am finishing my last year of highschool, and would like to be an au pair for a year in germany before i begin college, i have basic german language skills only my question is how long it will take me to find a family, and what most families expect from their au pairs. i love kids and i believe this experience would be great for me, but i do not know an au pair, so i would love first hand advice from someone. what can i expect when i get there? what are some positives and negatives of being an au pair ? my name is bailey, i am finishing my last year of highschool, and would like to be an au pair for a year in germany before i begin college,
i have basic german language skills only
my question is how long it will take me to find a family, and what most families expect from their au pairs. i love kids and i believe this experience would be great for me, but i do not know an au pair, so i would love first hand advice from someone. what can i expect when i get there?
what are some positives and negatives of being an au pair ?

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]]> By: Left Bank Manc http://AuPairMom.com/au-pair-start-here/comment-page-3/#comment-19675 Left Bank Manc Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:08:52 +0000 http://aupairmom.com/au-pair-start-here/#comment-19675 To AuPairCr- (the au pair with the horrible host mom and bratty kids) say to the mum 'you are really making me hate life, you are being horrible, I can not live like this anymore, do you want me to look after your kids, or not?' if she wants you to stay she will have to be nicer, or she will have to go through the hassle of findng a new au pair and it sounds as though her kids are pretty difficult. If she says 'no, go' then you can just leave, knowing you tried your hardest, and afterwards you will look back and think 'I cant believe I stayed there so long'. Honestly, just tell her!!! I know its hard but she needs to realise she is being a rude horrible person who shouldn't have so many kids if she doesn't want to be nice to the girl trying to look after them. To AuPairCr- (the au pair with the horrible host mom and bratty kids) say to the mum ‘you are really making me hate life, you are being horrible, I can not live like this anymore, do you want me to look after your kids, or not?’ if she wants you to stay she will have to be nicer, or she will have to go through the hassle of findng a new au pair and it sounds as though her kids are pretty difficult. If she says ‘no, go’ then you can just leave, knowing you tried your hardest, and afterwards you will look back and think ‘I cant believe I stayed there so long’. Honestly, just tell her!!! I know its hard but she needs to realise she is being a rude horrible person who shouldn’t have so many kids if she doesn’t want to be nice to the girl trying to look after them.

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