Host Family Tips - Driving

Driving
 

Yes, some au pairs drive.  In my experience 90 % come over with International Driver's Licenses.  However, the process to get these licenses vary greatly from country to country.  Based on the hundreds of au pairs I've worked with over the years:

25% I would put in my car the day they arrive in the US, 

25% I would ride with for a week to make sure they understood the local signs and area; 

25% I would work with for a month or two before they drove my car alone; and the last 

25% I would never put in my car.  

If you need a driver, the trick is to figure out what group your au pair is in.

Some countries have very rigorous training to get a license like Germany.  If they have driven the autobahn there probably isn't many places in the US they couldn't drive.  Other countries or in rural areas, even though the au pair may drive daily, it could be on a one lane village road and it may take months for the au pair to feel comfortable on a beltway.

Au pairs with race car in VA Beach!

When you interview the au pair; ask specific questions about driving if it is important to your family.  Do you drive daily, weekly, monthly?  Whose car? Are you going to school, work, or shopping every once in a while?  How  many lanes are on the road?  What kind of weather conditions do you drive in?  Be realistic, if they are in Ecuador they will probably not have experience driving in the snow.

Most US Citizen's understand that our driver's license process differs from state to state; so it is hard for me to go through the process for all 50 States on what your au pair should do when she arrives.  Just know that she should be getting a US license from the state where she resides with you.  Check with your local representative to find out what her process will be and how you can help her.

One last thing, insurance.  You need to add her to your car insurance if she will be driving your vehicles.  In my experience this is a very easy phone call to your agent.  I just explain I have a new au pair, how long she has been licensed (in her country), and that she will be occasionally driving my car.  My rates have varied over the years, but never gone up more than $25 per month for them to be added to an existing policy.  The rates do vary by the age of the au pair, so check with your agent if you think it might be an issue.

Personally I highly recommend letting an au pair drive, even if it is just for personal reasons.  There is nothing worse than an au pair who is stuck at your home with no way to get out and see friends or local attractions.  Even if you share a vehicle, which is what I have always done, they can use the car in the evenings if they are off and you're not using it.  This way they don't feel so trapped, and you don't feel like a driving service.

Au Pair Tips - What Annoys Host Families

What Annoys Host Families?

 

1. Showing up for work late or not ready to take over.  The primary complaint is that au pairs wake up a few minutes before they are supposed to start and have not showered, dressed, or eaten breakfast when they are supposed to start.  Remember that your work hours are exactly that – work hours.  You are supposed to be watching the children, doing chores or driving to pick up the children.  You can’t do this if you are still getting dressed or eating.  This means that starting your breakfast when you are supposed to be watching the child is not ok.  Also, if you appear on the scene on the exact moment you are supposed to start, it doesn’t give your host parent any time to give you instructions before they go out the door. 
2. Eating habits and costs.  Most families are very accommodating in buying food for you that you like or giving you some money for food that you desire.  Some families feel that au pairs either A. Eat everything in the cabinets or refrigerator without asking, or B. buy expensive food with the host parents’ money.  Please be sensitive to the fact that there are others in the house and that perhaps some special food has been purchased for a party they are having or for special needs of the children.  If you are unsure about what you are allowed to eat – ask!  Also, if your host family allows you to use their money/credit cards to buy food – then please realize that this money is not limitless – you should not be constantly buying expensive prepared foods, snacks, sodas and candies with your host family’s money.  Make sure you give them a receipt from the grocery/drug store and ask them before you buy things if it is ok for you to buy certain things you like.  You should be willing to prepare some of your own meals (if you aren’t eating with the host family).  Your host family is responsible for feeding you but that does not mean that they have to pay for the most expensive option or for every extra sweet snack you desire.  You are supposed to use your pocket money for this.  Also, if you eat with your host family – please make sure you help with dinner in some way (either cooking or cleaning up).
3. Rushing out the door at the end of the day or hanging around the host families too much.  Either extreme is generally not good.  Host families want you to have fun and go out and host parents occasionally need their privacy, so give them some space if you find yourself at home a lot.  On the other hand, if you are running out the door the second you are done with work every day, this is also not good.  It sends the message that you are only here to socialize with friends and don’t want a relationship with the host family.  Each family is different in their expectations.  Remember that many host families will not tell you that you are in the way or that you should stay home or eat dinner with them sometimes.  They feel uncomfortable saying these things and worry that you will either go out more or stay home more but will resent it.  The best bet is to strike a happy medium.  Also – remember that most host families LOVE to hear about their kids and enjoy it when you tell them something fun you did with their kids or something good or helpful their kids did.  This shows you like being with their children and makes them feel you are doing a good job.  Reserve negative comments about the kids for times the children are not present.