Au Pair Contract

So, what exactly is it that I’ve signed up for? Hmm… my contract speaks pretty plainly to me.

When I arrive, it’s almost like I’m just becoming a temporary member of the family. It’s more of a cultural experience than a job. Yes, I will be working, of course, but it’s all about being there. I get free accommodation (the entire third floor of their house!), free food, etc. Health insurance of some sort. They will pay for me to take a language course (zer gut!) too. My pocket money totals to about 450 euros a month and includes expenses for transportation like the UBahn and SBahn. They have a bike for me too which I think is awesome because I love riding bikes. So now the background on this blog kind of makes more sense to you, doesn’t it? Ha.

As far as work is concerned, my contract states that I will work about 6 hours a day, 30 hours a week and will have basic daily duties such as childcare (duh), light housework, cooking, laundry, etc. All of which I have no problem doing. The childcare is the biggest component… playing with the girls, getting them to school and picking them up, taking them to activities and lessons, going to the park, etc. Cooking for the family may be interesting, I’m certainly not a super chef. But I hear that they like pasta so that makes me happy seeing as that’s about the only thing that I can make! For free time, I have one free day and about four free evenings per week and one weekend free every month. And as I understand it, I have four weeks of paid (maybe) vacation total. Which Erika (the Frau, as Helen calls her, ha) told me I will probably break into two parts, Christmas/New Years and Easter vacations. Fine by me.

It’s a pretty good set up as far as I’m concerned. I’m not going to be rich but I will be enjoying myself, regardless. So far, I really like the family. The Frau is a very nice lady, I’ve enjoyed talking to her. Helen hasn’t given me too many horror stories about the girls and I do really well with children so I’m not afraid of them. It’s going to be overwhelming to be in such a foreign place, away from everything that I know, but I think I’ll adjust fairly well. I’m a pretty resilient person. Needless to say, I am happy with the contract and I definitely accept the responsibilities.