Au Pairs Help Families Minimize Stress This Holiday Season

While the holidays are a wonderful and exciting time of year, we often find ourselves a little bit crazed between the extra shopping, cooking, entertaining and festivities that come with the season. In order to maximize the season with minimal stress, families with live-in childcare from Cultural Care Au Pair (www.culturalcareaupair.com) find that this time of year can be even more enjoyable by having their au pair help with the holiday planning and responsibilities. Just remember, it’s important to communicate clearly so that everyone can enjoy in the celebration without being frazzled.

·        Communicate clearly: With festivities come potential scheduling conflicts and extra driving. Creating an up-to-date community calendar that highlights any of the schedule changes and responsibilities is helpful. Be sure to remember to include any new instructions about driving and directions, as many regularly scheduled activities are canceled due to holiday events and activities. 

·        Welcome new flavors: Your au pair comes to your family armed with a unique cultural palate. Be sure to ask about holiday food traditions in their home country and if there is one that can be shared with your family. Many au pairs will often engage the children in baking or cooking a dish from their part of the world, which creates a fun bonding experience, while also introducing new flavors into your kitchen.

·        Divide & conquer: If you’re overwhelmed by party invites or your own gathering, make a to-do list that you can divide and conquer with your au pair. Alternatively, you can set aside a few hours where your au pair tends to the children so you can focus on preparing for your holiday party. If you’re hosting a party in your home, consider flexing your au pair’s hours and suggesting a fun, festive activity for your au pair and the children such as ice skating at a local rink.

·        Embrace traditions: While your family may have your own special traditions, be open to those of your au pairs. Many families adapt one or two of their au pair’s traditions and continue for years to come! This type of exposure to different culture’s rituals can give your child a more well-rounded view of the world.

·        Make a list, check it twice:  Ask for your au pair’s feedback on what gifts might be best for the children this year. Your au pair can even help them with writing their wish lists, and taking them shopping for any gift exchanges they are doing with friends or at school.

Au pairs can provide live-in child care and help with household activities related to the care of the children for up to 45 hours per week, so maximizing their time and including them in all of your family’s activities will be to your advantage. They can be those extra hands you need when things get busy around the holidays so the season can be a fun and calm time for everyone!