WHY NOT JUST LOOK FOR A FAMILY AND AU PAIR CONTACT AND FIND THE RIGHT MATCH BY YOURSELF?
I think those are quite common questions of families and au pair that start looking for an au pair experience.
In Italy the au pair experience still not so popular, especially there is not such deeply knowledge about the details and laws that regulate all the aspects.
Many Italian families are not very familiar with this form of assistance; however, when they do hear about it, they are very interested, though they may confuse the role of an au pair with others, such as low-cost domestic workers or babysitters.
There are various social media, to advertise au pair placement and get contacts, but not always the match is easy, plus there are some risks ( fake ads, scammer, not legal conditions of job etc.),
There are various social media groups where ads are posted, and many people use this method to connect; however, the match does not always work out successfully. Especially for those new to the experience, it is difficult to assess all the aspects of hosting and living together, and there is a risk of ending up in unpleasant situations.
In such cases, misunderstandings and false expectations can be a source of distress not only for parents and au pairs but also for the other family members, the children.
I heard about girls that had been asked to work 8 hours per day and/or left with children of 7/8 months without having a previous experience. On the other hand some families complain about the behavior of girls that spend the majority of their free time in their room and don’t talk with the familiar if they are not asked about something. All of this is disheartening and has little to do with the cultural exchange experience—the true driving force behind a successful au pair experience.
This is where expert guidance comes in to help avoid these issues:
– assisting with the matching process (what qualities are being sought? what level of commitment is required?)
– organizing the arrangements prior to departure (a clear written agreement is needed, including regarding language)
– addressing the various aspects that will arise during the experience (for instance, in a three-month stay, the first month is a settling-in period!)
ELIcan tell you and explain even more… it’s not just about finding contacts and phone numbers of people interested in this experience, but about building something that, if done right, will be an unforgettable experience!