The importance of speaking to your host parents
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In this section we offer some questions to ask your host family. We also include why these conversations are important and how this feedback will help you during your experience:
Can you describe the child’s normal baseline behavior?
Could you tell me about a day in the life of this child?
How does your child react to rules and schedules?
Help to set day to day expectations and understand which behaviors need more focus.
Help you to know what information to share with the host family.
What does a really difficult day look like in your home?
Could you describe the child’s behavior while they are having a tantrum?
What is it like to discipline this child?
Understand the childcare style and learn how the host family wants you to handle things.
How to approach discipline and learn more about what is appropriate behavior.
Am I primarily responsible for this child or for all children?
Are any other providers involved? For example an occupational or physical therapist?
Help you understand your au pair duties and responsibilities.
Know whether you are responsible for managing this schedule or if you need to communicate directly with others involved.
Have there been instances of physical aggression?
Does your child take medications regularly?
What is the child’s hygiene like?
This will help you to assess the needs of the child and help you to understand your au pair duties and responsibilities.
As an au pair you will be expected to care for each child as an individual, based on their unique needs. Remember to use your resources and let your host parents or LCC know if you feel overwhelmed. Whenever you feel like your duties are too much, it’s important to let someone know so that it can be resolved.