If you’ve found yourself snowed under with everything from household chores to caring for your children while upholding a career, hosting an au pair can be a rewarding way of getting the help you need. Whether you’re simply curious, or you’re at the stage of seeking an au pair agency, knowing the advantages to providing a home for an au pair individual can help you make those final decisions. From the ability to learn something new, to getting the support you need when you need it, here are just some of the advantages of hosting an au pair in your home.
You Can Learn And Teach New Skills
Most au pair individuals will travel to a new country in search of the opportunity to learn a language or a skill, but that benefit certainly doesn’t end with them. While you can provide assistance in helping a young person learn a valuable skill throughout their stay, you could also take the time to learn one too! Whether you’re picking up their language, learn new local recipes from their home town or simply pick up a tip or two for around the house, the opportunity to learn should never be overlooked.
It’s Cost Efficient
When applying to host an au pair, you’re given the opportunity to hire help – whether it’s for childcare, a companion or carer, a driver or something else entirely – all for a much more affordable and efficient cost than you’re likely to find from local services. For a set fee and the accommodation of the au pair, you’ll have access to someone who can offer ongoing support and help when it’s needed, regardless of the role they’ve agreed to. There’s also the added perk of flexibility, another feature that you aren’t likely to be able to get from a local service.
They Will Offer Support
As we’ve mentioned, hosting an au pair essentially gives you access to ongoing support throughout the duration of their stay. Beyond just their duties, however, most au pairs will be happy to offer extra support when it’s needed, especially at times of emergency. Say your child has a sick day – with an au pair, they will be able to care for the child while you go to work so you don’t have to struggle with calling in at short notice. Similarly, when something comes up and you run out of time to finish chores, they can provide support in helping you with these daily tasks and often all as part of their given hours.
You’ll Broaden Your Cultural Understanding
Hosting an au pair involves inviting someone into your home from another country and with this comes different cultural interests and habits. Having this within your home can help you learn more about the world around you and even get involved with these cultural differences in some cases. Whether it’s unique dishes you’ve never tried before, or daily activities that you may not have considered, broadening your cultural understanding is certainly a benefit in our eyes.
You’ll Form Unique Friendships
Finally, by hosting an au pair you’ll have the chance to form unique and lasting friendships. Having someone new within your home and working closely beside you gives you the chance to form a bond like no other and one that has the potential to last a lifetime. An au pair can feel like an extension of your family, and you may even be inclined to visit them in their home country from time to time. This all comes down to each individual experience, but there’s no denying that the opportunity to make such a close friendship is a benefit.
Hosting an au pair, especially when doing so for the first time, can be a nerve-wracking but ultimately exciting experience. Whether you’re in need of a bit of extra help and are willing to host another young person in your home, or you’re eager to learn more about alternative cultures and countries, why not give hosting an au pair a try?
