Author: Shonna Anderson

Au Pair friendships are an often-overlooked factor in a placement. Sometimes, when we get caught up in our own lives and our own problems, we can tend to forget that

I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see my relationship with my Au Pair develop into something very much like a sister or daughter. My sister and I have never been what

Being fully immersed in your family’s culture for a year or more, an Au Pair is bound to find herself unknowingly mirroring the quirks and habits of certain family members.

We’ve had little hiccups in our placement & I’ve found myself addressing issues I never foresaw before they happened. When I envisioned hosting an Au Pair, my mind focused on

It didn’t take us long to start seeing the fun side of cultural exchange. While it can sound like a hum-drum duty that goes along with hosting an Au Pair,

Au Pair driving is a scary topic for me, but after much deliberation, we have decided to have our Au Pair start driving. The thought of letting any teenager drive

I didn’t expect to be exhausted before meeting my Au Pair. It’s ironic the amount of work that goes into preparing to host someone who’s supposed to help ease your workload. Like

If you take the time to prepare your children for your Au Pair before her arrival, it can help ease the transition to a first-time Au Pair. (Or in our

Every placement has an adjustment period. All Host Families and Au Pairs are different (kind of like how everyone tells you that every child and every pregnancy is different). And

At first, it can seem daunting to build rapport with someone you’ve never met before. (Ha!  I’m a poet, and I don’t know it. I’m strange, but that’s why you read