I would like to talk to you about five benefits about hosting an Au pair, these are things you might not realize you can also enjoy as a host family:
Number one, the affordable cost– the weekly cost about hosting an au pair in Australia is just $180 dollars and that’s per family not per child, for example: if your au pair works 40 hrs per week your hourly cost comes to 6 dollars an hour, I don’t know you but babysitters in my neighbourhood charges at least twice that much.
Number two, exposure to a different culture, au pairs come from all over the world to Australia, and they bring their own language and customs with them, some au pairs help the host children to speak their own language fluently, others just share their traditional meals, songs and holiday traditions with your entire family, is a great way to learn about the world.
Number three- help around the house with laundry, meals and room pick up- au pairs can help with household duties related to the children, as I have au pairs I realize how nice it is to arrive home and being able to play with my kids instead of worrying about what they are going to eat or wear the next day, it is always a relief to have that extra household help.
Number four-Date time with my husband– au pairs can work up to 45 hrs per week, and the best part is that they work on an schedule that you decide, you can use your babysitting night during the week or Friday night, so that you and your husband can enjoy dinner and a movie. When was the last time you did something like that without worrying about the hassle of finding and paying for a babysitter;
And finally, number five- Lifelong friendships– the relationship you build with your au pair often lasts long after your au pair returns home, my family and me have visited au pairs in their home countries, and this year a former au pair joined my family for my child’s birthday. Gaining an extended family that spends that low is more rewarded than anything I could have ever imagined.
Those are just five of the many, many benefits about hosting an au pair