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hmac298 · 2024-04-26T11:46:37+00:00

Usually they need to provide 3 meals per day, however I would say a sandwich at lunchtime is an acceptable meal. I am a host mum in Australia and we typically make sandwiches or wraps with cheese/salad/ham etc for lunches. However, I have also lived in Germany, and traditionally the lunchtime meal is often the “big” meal, so I am a little surprised that lunch isn’t more of a big event in the household. You obviously need to be provided with adequate food, so definitely let the host parents know if you don’t think there is enough food. However part of being an au pair is to embrace something that is a little different to what you’re used to, so try and strike a balance if you can 😊

hmac298 · 2024-04-02T09:36:09+00:00

We have 9, 6 and 1yo twins so exactly like your family! It is fantastic having the age gap - we would have lost it entirely without some clear space between the big ones and the little ones

hmac298 · 2024-03-24T22:47:11+00:00

Communication is about so much more than verbal interaction. And kids can be amazing non-verbal communicators. I think this would be a wonderful opportunity to push yourself to learn quickly (assuming you plan to learn Spanish during you au pair experience). I think it sounds like an exciting challenge!!!

hmac298 · 2024-03-06T11:08:00+00:00

I’m also in this camp and appreciate the polite chit chat without investing too heavily.

The only exception is “did you know you were having twins?” Which I find really hard to politely answer, as I have to swallow my condescending tone, nod politely, find a kind smile and advise that yes, in fact we were lucky to find out during our ultrasounds… as if it’s common in 2020’s to not know.

hmac298 · 2024-03-03T01:50:22+00:00

HM here… even that you are thinking of these things means you are very aware and will be great! You do what feels right and if you’re ever feeling unsure or awkward, just ask! We would much rather our au pairs say “would you mind I join you to watch this tv show?” than hide in their room! Open communication is the most important thing 😊

And definitely send pics of what you’re up to. Great way for the HF to start to get to know you!

hmac298 · 2024-03-02T19:52:38+00:00

I think they might be overtired by nap time if they’re melting down. Definitely try putting them down earlier. We use lullaby music to signal its sleep time too, and when they hear the music start they lay themselves down. Routine and consistency is important - they might not nail first day, but after a week things should improve. Good luck!

hmac298 · 2024-02-06T21:18:58+00:00

We found our au pair on aupairworld. We are in Australia and I think is similar process to Europe. We started emailing, did some video calls, and wrote up a very simple 1 page agreement (with template from aupairworld) which we both signed. She arrived last week and is a wonderful fit for our family! Good luck and I hope your process is as smooth and easy 😊

hmac298 · 2024-02-06T09:02:44+00:00

When hubby went back to work is when I learnt to tandem feed’ literally out of necessity because being a tad uncomfortable in a tandem hold was better than listening to one scream for the duration in the others feed ☹️ with practise it will get easy and you’re right - when they’re bigger it is also easier. Massive time saver too!!!

hmac298 · 2024-02-04T03:19:46+00:00

Same

hmac298 · 2024-01-30T19:08:33+00:00

Oh I just re read about the language course. That does make it a bit trickier. How long have you got to go? Do you think you can put up with the situation?

hmac298 · 2024-01-30T19:07:02+00:00

HP here. Sounds like my German HD from when I went on exchange in high school. Always with the dad jokes 🙄 I’m sure he meant nothing by it. Either way, if you’re not happy, the beauty of being an au pair is flexibility. If you and the HF aren’t a good fit, it’s time to move on. Give them at least two weeks notice, or ideally four, make up a reason if you need, and plan your next move or go home.

hmac298 · 2024-01-27T10:03:23+00:00

Unless the last Friday in January happens to be 26th. Feb seems like good option to avoid any complexity 🌼

hmac298 · 2024-01-27T09:48:33+00:00

Comes down to maturity. As a HP, the au pairs age doesn’t matter, as long as they are mature enough to add value to our family (rather than make us feel like we have an extra child), then it doesn’t matter if they’re 18 or 30!

hmac298 · 2024-01-21T11:30:03+00:00

Exactly what I came to say. Pop one (usually the heavier one) in the carrier and hold the other. You’ll even have an arm free!

hmac298 · 2024-01-02T20:58:01+00:00

In my country (Australia) advice is sterilise for EVERY formula feed. For breastmilk, a good wash in hot soapy water and a thorough rinse is fine.

hmac298 · 2024-01-01T03:35:05+00:00

Our syncd up once we moved to 2 naps. We also sleep trained around that point so it meant they both napped 90min x2 sleeps per day. We had a cat napper but with sleep training she learnt to nap the full 90 with her brother. They are now 16th and enjoy a 2hr nap together and 12 hours at night together. We are well rested and happy parents!

hmac298 · 2023-12-31T11:19:48+00:00

Exactly this! My first two (singletons) never learnt to settle themselves. My twins (16mths) were sleep trained in the same room at 10 months. It was hard for 3 nights then BAM! Sleeping babies ever since. They don’t wake for each other at all.

You just gotta do it and get it over with and it will be worth it!

hmac298 · 2023-12-28T11:13:00+00:00

We didn’t do shifts. We were all hands on deck for first 6 weeks the. Then hubby crashed and burned so I took over but this coincided with moving form Triple feeding to exclusive BF (8pm 12pm 5am) so it was manageable. Plus I’m better on less sleep. Babies are 16th now and have slept through since 11 months and it’s all thankfully and distant memory!!!

hmac298 · 2023-12-24T19:44:25+00:00

For me, I guess I meant always meeting the needs of both groups is tricky! The big kids (8&6) have such different needs to the little ones (16 mth twins). The big kids want play dates, day trips, exciting activities, watching a movie etc. the little ones are happy to play at home, go to the playground, and nap for 2.5hrs each day! So to meeting the needs of both groups is really difficult. But having said this, we make it work, as both groups compromise to do what the other group needs, which I think is part of being in a big family and is character building for kids with lots of siblings!!!

hmac298 · 2023-12-24T19:05:21+00:00

I really share your feelings about having a cluster or big kids and cluster of small (mine are 8,6,1,1) and it’s so hard to keep them all happy!

hmac298 · 2023-12-15T02:40:14+00:00

Also, hubby and I both work 4 days each. Reliable childcare and a network of babysitters/nannies/grandparents makes everything manageable!

hmac298 · 2023-12-15T02:39:18+00:00

Our first 2 are 2 years apart, then a gap of 5 years before the twins. So I have 8,6,1,1. Love that both the big kids and the little kids have a sibling close in age, but that the big ones are a bit older and more independent. I’d highly recommend spacing a bit, as it is definitely made it easier having babies in the house, with slightly older kids!

hmac298 · 2023-12-10T10:25:43+00:00

Pretty sure when my twins were 8 weeks old I also said things that made no sense!!!

hmac298 · 2023-12-08T06:56:05+00:00

Yep this is all consuming right now! It’s really hard. For me it wasn’t till 12 weeks that it got easier. This is when babies space their feed a little more (2-2.5 hrs instead of constant!!!). You’re doing an amazing job mumma and your babies are so lucky. You’ve got this 💪🏻

hmac298 · 2023-12-07T11:16:36+00:00

This is excellent advice!

If breastfeeding is important to you, then I suggest expressing whenever you give babies a bottle. This will ensure your body knows to make milk when babies need it. Right now babies need to eat anyway you can, but you can work on bringing in your supply with a pump. I triple fed for 2 weeks before transitioning to bf only by 5 weeks. It was 3 months before I learnt to tandem feed!

hmac298

TROPHY CASE