A year ago, I could not have imagined that I would be reciting these takeoff instructions 2-4x/day as I drove to and from schools and parks and shops with the most beautiful 1-, 3-, and 4.5-year-old Australian children, who are placed under my care five days a week. However, due to a turn of fate, I have found myself enjoying a beautiful country as an au pair, and I could not love it more.
Caring for Andrew, Annabel, and Emily is my favorite part of my week. I am so blessed to be entrusted with three sweet, creative, mostly (;p) well-behaved children. Andrew and Annabel both attend a French preschool, and all of their former au pairs have been French-speaking, so I am able to speak French (mind you, very basic French) to them during the day for my own practice and theirs. It is the neatest thing that they are growing up bilingual, and I wish it was something I'd had the opportunity for as a child. During the day, Emily and I get to spend lots of time together, and as I haven't babysat a baby in nearly 10 years, I am loving all of the snuggles and giggles and walking practice (diaper changes, not quite as much). I love talking with her and making lunch and taking walks in her stroller (called a pram here).
It is also encouraging for someday when I am a mother. My mom assured me, before leaving America, that looking after young children is rewarding but also exhausting, and I may want to push the idea of children far, far into the future after my experience as an au pair. However, to the contrary, I am encouraged by my experience...not to have kids anytime soon or to rush my own life...but rather because for a long time, I have enjoyed domestic duties and looked forward to being a full-time mother in the future but now, my aspirations are being tested "in the field." Being a full-time caretaker for 3 children (well, until my host parents are home from work!) shows me that although I have no plans for a family anytime soon, I am capable and enjoy my time spent with my awesome kids; it must be that much rewarding when they are your own! I feel quite accomplished after grocery shopping for 6 people with one 1-year-old and one sick 4-year-old who stayed home from school and equally as proud after keeping three children of different ages entertained for even the mere two hours after school before their parents are home. Encouraging physical activity and playing along with imaginative games is exhausting but I am proud that I am doing it and, I think, doing it well.
On the flip side (and not to put words in my host parents' mouths), I think having an au pair must be such a great experience for the parents as well! It would be exhausting to work full-time, pay for daycare/preschool for three children, then come home and still need to do laundry and cleaning and putting toys away. On their end, I get to do some of the necessary housework to keep up with the kids, and they are able to enjoy their time together as a family. My host parents are wonderful and everything I hope to be as a parent someday. They have an extensive wine cellar, host a pirate pub run every spring (September here), and have crazy friends and senses of humor reminiscent of my friends in the States! They don't baby their kids but show them love in many ways and encourage good interactions between their children and others. One of my favorite things is that, although we live in a 5-bedroom house, the kids all share one room to sleep in. I really feel like they bond well when they go to bed together, despite their age differences, and it's absolutely precious to hear them giggling and playing games together, even after lights are out. Al said this is more typical in Australia; he shared a room with his two sisters until he was 6. I've only ever known kids to have their own room...so it's different but in a very good way!
Traveling as well is something that I am very much looking forward to here in Australia. I have seen much of Sydney, thanks to Al, but there are still some things left on that bucket list. I'm fortunate to be with a guy who knows the ins and outs of the city, though, so I really get to wine and dine like a local. Canberra is much smaller than Sydney but beautiful and full of green space. The parks and lake are fun with kids and without, and there are so many playgrounds and nice shops. I am looking forward to hiking Mount Ainslie for its beautiful lookout views and exploring more of the historical monuments here in the capital - as well as the bar scene which I haven't yet ventured into. Recently, I booked flights to Hobart, Tasmania and an overnight Greyhound to Melbourne, Victoria and have found travel partners for both. The au pair network in Canberra really is incredible, and it simply takes a post on a Facebook page to meet other au pairs or set up a coffee date or travel plans.
I am so excited to have begun this journey here; it is a wonderful set-up to begin as an au pair, and I hope I fully take advantage of this opportunity to explore a new country as well as bond with children that look up to me and will remember me as they grow. Hearing "Wonky Donkey" in the car on the way to school 50 times is a small price to pay for the blessing of these kids & this family!
In summary, a list of my Australian vocabulary so far:
footpath = sidewalk
motorway = interstate
jumper = hoodie/jacket/sweatshirt
trackies = sweatpants
capsicums = bell peppers
pumpkins = any variety of pumpkin/squash, i.e. "butternut pumpkin"
place an order for "take-away" = to-go
tagged = graffitied
chips = thicker French fries
fries = shoestring fries
spider = Coke float
goon = cheap bagged wine
cinnamon scroll = cinnamon roll
"keep left unless overtaking" (motorway sign) = "keep left unless passing"
"refuge island" (seen on road signs) = area where pedestrians can wait in the middle of the road while waiting to cross the second half of the road
trolley = buggy, or shopping cart
pram = bigger, sturdier stroller
stroller = smaller, flimsier stroller
mmm... = yep (Person 1: Did you get this at the store? Person 2: Mmm...)
Cheers, mates!
