au pair summers

Summertime usually means fun, vacation, travel, and more … Some au pairs get to take their vacation this time of year, and will enjoy getting to see more of the country they are living in, and maybe even get to visit other places as well. If you are one of them, enjoy your time away. Bask in the sun, try new foods, make new friends, and enjoy your time off – you definitely deserve a break from day to day life with children and work!

For those who don’t get to get away from their work during the summer, there are other ways that you can enjoy a semi-vacation. If you host family is going on vacation and invites you along, then consider takingthem up on the offer. Often you will not have to work while they are on vacation, and even if you do, the hours will likely not be what they are normally. If families vacation with friends and family, you will benefit from having other built-in helpers for the children.

If you can’t afford – or take off the time – to take a ‘real’ vacation, consider taking a short day trip or getting away for the weekend. Talk with your host family as well, as they may be willing to work with your schedule if you’re really itching to escape for a bit. They may be able to switch work days around, freeing up a long weekend or even a couple of weekdays in a row. Depending on where you are working, you can probably find good deals on transportation for last minute trips, which are perfect for the au pair budget. Trains offer specials in the summer, and budget airlines (think Ryan Air) also offer great deals on flights to many different places. For a complete listing of budget airlines outside the U.S., see attitudetravel.com.

If there is no possible chance of getting away this summer and vacation for you is a long way off, then be sure to take advantage of the special summer activities that are offered this season. Many towns and cities host summer festivals of all sorts, and they can be loads of fun. You can also check out local pools, go to a nearby lake for a picnic, or host a grilling party (of course, run this by your host family first!). There are many ways you can enjoy the hot summer days, so take advantage of the season.

Whatever you end up doing this summer, remember to have fun and enjoy!