(photo by dreamstime)
Just like the rest of us, au pairs sometimes get sick. It isn’t fun for the host family who might have to find substitute childcare while their au pair is really under the weather, which can be a hassle. It is also un-fun for au pairs, who would probably rather be healthy and working and sick and not (working, that is!).
Making things even more difficult for au pairs who become ill is the fact that they are already out of their element. Being sick is a particularly rough time for au pairs, as their usual support group – family, friends, their usual doctor, medicines, etc. – is missing. They may even feel guilty for being sick, feeling as though they are putting their host family off by being unable to work or by needing any extra attention.
My advice? For au pairs, it would be to take good care of yourself in the first place to avoid being sick as much as possible. Your family needs someone who is healthy and fit most of the time, and your time abroad will be much better enjoyed – and remembered – if you are healthy.
When you do get sick, take time off to get well. And don’t feel guilty about not working if you are truly sick. Your host family will survive while you are sick, so don’t kill yourself. I nearly did – instead of taking time off and visiting a doctor during the week while sick, I waited until I was in unbearable pain over the weekend – when doctors in Germany are all closed – and wound up having to visit the emergency room to get meds for a horrid sinus infection. Not something I would recommend!
Also, sick days also don’t count against vacation days, so there is no need to fear losing precious days off when ill. And if you are contagious, believe me – your host family would rather you lay low than infect the entire family!
(photo from dreamstime)
