That’s the meaning of Au Pair. Although often misinterpreted for house slave, or live in childminder - the translation of Au Pair is ‘on equal terms’. In the family which I have been placed in, I can’t deny that this definition is true. Although there is an obvious uneasiness at the beginning of the job (living and working in another country, in someone’s family, in someone’s house), after my first 2 weeks here I’ve settled in. I like looking after the children - ones a terror at waking up and the other likes to lie to me to see my reaction - eg: ‘where are your school shoes? Someone punched me in the face and took them’ ‘WHAT?’ ‘Not really, they’re in my bag’…. really funny! But no, my family is great - the parents are nice and everyone speaks to me in a language I can understand - muchos gracias for that. But other people just aren’t so lucky. Finn has to look after 3 children under 9yrs old AND a baby. hectic. And Agent L literally lives with a psychopath, and the psychopath’s repulsive offspring. Rusty has it easy - one 3 year old and a lazy ass father… not too shabby.
If you’re wondering where I met these other Au Pairs - it was at language school. everyday for 1hr and a half I sit, understanding nothing and wind up the poor childlike teacher. Something about authority still riles me apparently - and I go through the lessons planning his demise through an unfortunate trouser ironing accident or by drilling adjectives too hard. But overall the school is great.. by meeting these girls my life has suddenly not become so lonely and shit - which is a bonus. And the 8 hour days you work around the time of a normal working day don’t seem so stressful when you have somebody to share it with… speaking of I’m dying for a drink.
Roll on bedtime for the little angels!
Snob
