3 Ways To Be A More Mindful Au Pair

Hey Au pairs!

Life as an au pair can be quite the frenzy! More often than not you’re constantly on the go, running after the children, playing non-stop and in some cases prepping meals in addition to other duties. It may seem some days that the world is passing you and you can’t delight in the simple joys that you anticipated to come from your au pair year. Fear not because it’s not too late to learn to become more mindful during your au pair journey. Practicing mindfulness can allow you to enjoy more of the little moments which can make a huge difference.

In no particular order here are 3 ways to become a more mindful au pair:

1.Turn Off Your Phone

This is an obvious one, but one that we rarely do. Most of us view our phone as our lifeline that connects us with friends and family worldwide and this is okay! But, it’s important to disconnect once in a while so we can enjoy the moment. I always turned off my phone or at least set my phone on “do not disturb” whenever I was around my host kids. This way, I was focusing my energy and attention on being truly present.

I think this is something that not only sets a good example for your host kids, but it’s also something they truly appreciated from you. Sometimes my host kids would tell me stories about how their former au pairs spent so much time on their phones and didn’t pay them much attention.

While out and about or exploring on my own I would put my phone down and take a short time to appreciate my surroundings. Whether that be gaze out the train window, smell the flowers, or listen to the street musicians.

2.Get Bored

Being bored is a gift! Sounds silly, but one of the best ways to become a more creative person is by allowing yourself to become bored. We live in an age where we can easily entertain ourselves with unlimited streaming platforms, social media and video games and rarely allow our brain to reach a state of boredom.

Being bored is not a bad thing, it signals to us that we should be engaging in more meaningful activities and can help us come up with new ideas and projects! As a teacher, I have gained some of my most creative lesson plans by taking a small break between daily tasks to put down my phone, relax and let myself get bored. As mentioned before in previous posts, au pairing is a great time to pursue your passions and hobbies. Don’t have any current passions or interests? Maybe let yourself get bored and you’ll realize what you want to devote more of your time to make the most out of your au pair stay.

3.Take Care Of Yourself

Taking care of others is probably the biggest part of au pairing. As au pairs we are looking after the kids, feeding them and making sure they are safe and sound, but don’t forget to look after yourself too. Nourishing your body and mind can aid you in living out your au pair year to the fullest.

Consider using some of the free time you have away from the kids to look after your body and mind. Go for a walk, meditate, or practice some yoga. Maybe you’ll meet some other au pairs who want to engage in these activities with you.

What are some other ways to become a more mindful au pair? Let me know in the comments down below!