How to Delegate Tasks To Your Au Pair

Handing over responsibility usually occurs over the first few days or weeks. For some of us, it may occur naturally, to others it may be a bit more difficult. This is especially challenging for parents who are used to looking after the kids on their own and taking care of everything around the house. You may even think there’s no other person who can do the job other than you. In the first few days and weeks or sometimes months, you will have to accept the fact that some things will not be done according to your standards. 

Here’s an example: If your Au Pair is folding your kids’ clothes in a way that is different from how you fold them, let the Au Pair know how you like them done. Show it to them yourself. You may need to show it to them again and again as it might take time for the Au Pair to remember it. Don’t worry, once they are able to master folding you won’t have to worry about that certain task anymore.

For an easier, faster, clearer delegation of tasks to the Au Pair, here are some of the tips we want to share with you that you might find helpful.

1. Put everything in writing

If your Au Pair has something to read off, they won’t have to ask you multiple times about certain tasks that they don’t remember or understand anymore. She/he may also feel uncomfortable talking to you all the time when they first arrive and that’s okay. Give them time to adjust and familiarize themselves with all the tasks you’ve written. Make sure you make your written notes as clear and simple as possible. The way how certain tasks are done and how many times they need to be done solely depends on how you delegate tasks to the Au Pair and the best way to do that is through writing.

2. Let the Au Pair have some alone time with the kids

If for example, you’re working from home, more often than not, your kids will gravitate naturally to you than the Au Pair who is a new person in the place. The kids will think the Au Pair has no authority over them so they won’t be able to stop the children barging into your home office if they want to – they won’t listen to a stranger. That’s why it’s very important to give the Au Pair a chance to bond with the kids for them to learn what her role will be and why she became part of the family. Once the kids’ bond with their Au Pair, you won’t have any problem delegating tasks to the Au Pair anymore, because you know the kids will listen to her. 

3. Establish the Au Pair’s Authority

If your kids are a bit older, have a chat with the kids, and say, “Hey guys! This is Louise, our new Au Pair. Louise will help look after you while mummy and daddy are working. So if you need a snack, you will need to ask Louise. If you want to go jump on a trampoline, you will need to ask Louise. If you want a cup of milk, you will need to ask Louise.” This tip is connected to tip number 2 when delegating tasks to an Au Pair, let the kids know who the new person in the house is, why the Au Pair is there and what her roles are.

These tips on delegating tasks to an Au Pair may sound easy but they require your patience, time, and effort, all of which can be a challenge especially if you’re a busy working parent. But doing them is guaranteed to help make your life a little bit easier once the Au Pair gets used to her tasks and once the kids learn of the Au Pairs’ role inside the home.