Hit The Road, Haven

COVID-19.

That’s all everyone is seeing nowadays, but tbh i gotta talk about it. I am still in Australia and have been advised to stay if possible (better and safer to stay here and isolate than to travel and be with family at this time sadly). While I have been LOVING my time here in Australia I can’t say that’s its been the easiest. Shortly after arriving to Sydney the Australian bush fires started up. This was really scary to experience, I have never before been up close to bush fires like this and I hope to never again. It was truly heartbreaking to see people lose their homes, to lose their resources, and lose their hope. Thankfully towards the end of February all the fires had been put out and contained.

HOWEVER, Shortly after that we experienced flooding, like biblical flooding lmao. It wasn’t TOO bad though and didn’t last too long, and we all expected life to go back to normal. 

BUT IT DIDNT.

COVID-19 or Corona Virus, started getting really bad around the world, I won’t get too into this as we all know whats going on. But it really does seem like I haven’t gotten much of a break here.

I sadly haven’t done everything I’ve wanted to. Trips and plans have been cancelled, people fled home, I’ve seen a lot of loss here. But more than anything I’ve seen a lot of love and community. Although things here have been a little tough lately, its been really beautiful to see communities come together.

A lot of you have messaged me and asked me what a typical day looks like for me! I am so fortunate to be living my best life out here truly so here’s how my days typically look!

6am: My alarm goes off but I snooze it until at least 6:30!

6:30am: actually wake up but lay in bed and check all my notifications (there’s always quite a few because I’m 16 hours ahead of home!)

7am: get up and dressed and get my host kid up! We have some breakfast and I have to remind him that ya school sucks sometimes but he does in fact HAVE to go to school LOL

8:15am: My host kid catches the bus to school! After this I do some cleaning (I kinda have one or two things a day to do to keep the house tidy!)

10am: Usually around 10 I’ll make plans with the friends! If its a nice day we’ll go out to Balmoral Beach or out to Manly to spend some time outside and in the water! If not - we’ll grab some coffees and thrift shop (We always try to find new places!)

3pm: I aim to be home around 3 so I can kinda chill and get myself organized before my host kid comes home from school

3:30pm: Host kid gets home from school! We love to bake and at least once a week will bake something! We’ll put on a movie or something and hang out for a bit! We’ll go out and play basketball or head out to the park for soccer or skateboarding! 

6:30pm: The host mum usually comes home around this time and we usually have a nice meal together! She’s a great cook! She sometimes get back around 7 or 7:30 so I make dinner for myself and the host kid and I think I’m becoming a better cook LOL

7:15pm: Around this time I’ll either go on a run or ill chill at the house and watch some TV. This is my wind down time!

9pm: I get ready for bed at this time and chill until about 10 which is when I usually fall asleep! 

AND REPEAT!

However this isn’t true for Friday’s or the weekend. On Fridays I work as a cafe and the weekends are kinda a free-for-all and I usually have plans to sightsee and go out with friends! I love it!

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.”  — Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the United States 

Every time I tell somebody that I am an Au Pair they all kinda look at me funny. Being an Au Pair isn’t a new thing, but something that a lot of people aren’t familiar with.

Basically what I do is nanny for a family. I live in their home and eat their food and I get paid a weekly allowance (it works out to be paid for the week minus room & board and food!). As someone who has just graduated college to be an Early Childhood Educator I knew that this would be the best way for me to travel, experience new things, and make money all while working in my field of work!

Yesterday I moved in with my third family here in Australia and am so excited for the next few months with them!

The day in the life of Au Pair may seem easy (and some days it is), but working with children and youth is different EVERY DAY and some days are challenges too. My weekdays are pretty structured, but my weekends are almost always free and I have been so fortunate enough to have been with host families who really take me in as one of their own and always invite me to join them in what they are doing on their weekends (beach days, Luna Park, mini road trips, AFL games, etc!).

Being and Au Pair has taught me so many life skills and really taught me how to be responsible and take initiative in leadership roles… let me explain:

Being in charge of a child really makes you grow up! Yes, the child isn’t mine of course, but I am in charge. I cook and clean and make sure they get ready for school on time. I walk them to the school and pick them up after. I play sports and games and keep them entertained in the afternoons. I sometimes deal with pre-teen meltdowns and tantrums, I’ve heard “I hate you! You’re the worst!” lots since being in Australia… and I promise you I am cool, but sometimes being young and hearing “no” sucks, so you have to have some thick skin!

Being an Au Pair is something that has changed my life, but I’m one of the lucky ones. I have heard horror stories of people being with host families who treat them terribly. That is why I always tell people:

1: Make sure that when you find a host family that you want to stay with that you video call and chat with them lots! This helps give you a sense of they really are!

2. Do a background check! (Okay you may think this is a little dramatic but its not… you’re going to be living with these people, and trust me, they’ll do one on you too!)

3. Make sure you’re familiar with the customs of that country

4. Make sure your pay and duties are CLEARLY lined out for you

5. Make sure that they make you feel safe and happy in their home! It’s yours too when you are with them! It should feel like a family - not a job.

My experiences here in Australia literally would not have happened if it wasn’t for Au Pairing. It really opened so many doors for me and I will treasure this experience forever.

I am so excited to really dive deep into my life here throughout these posts and I can’t wait to bring you all along with me!

Until next time!

Halloween 2019 with my first host family!