Think about your first day at a job. What would it be like if no one told you what you were suppose to do, what you were expected to wear, where all the tools were for the job, and what rules you needed to follow? You would probably be confused, frustrated, and then angry if someone got upset at you about doing something wrong. Believe it or not, au pairs enter family's homes and start working every week without knowing what's expected of them.
Putting together a household guidebook is an easy way to avoid this problem and get the year off to a good start. I personally send my guidebook oversea to my au pairs before they arrive, this way they know what to expect before they even board the plane.
Some of the items I put in my guidebook:
What activities to do with the kid/s,
What not to do with the kid/s.
What to do if the kid/s act up.
What they are expected to do as far as cleaning up after themselves and the kids.
Expectations as far as the pets.
Rules about the car and issues like gas, accidents, curfews, etc.
Rules about cleaning up after yourself.
Rules about the phone and computer.
Rules about having visitors and friends over.
How to use various appliances and household systems like the alarm system, washer and dryers, microwave, TV and all its attachments, and stove.
As well as provide information on the nearest hospital, library, recreation center, shopping stores, directions to the kid's schools, and other places of interest.
You can also add in your emergency contact information so this is a guidebook they can use all year round.
After writing and sharing the book...discuss it with the au pair after she has had a chance to read it to see if she has other questions.
Insider Tip: Do you guidebook in a computer document and save it, this makes it easier to change year to year as you get new au pairs and the duties surrounding the children change.
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