One of the great benefits of the au pair program is the help au pairs provide with household duties related to children. For busy parents, even a little assistance can make a big difference. Coming home to a clean, organized space at the end of the day allows you to focus on quality time with your children instead of worrying about tasks like dinner prep or laundry.
What Are Child-Related Household Duties?
Cultural Care Au Pair defines these as:
Doing the kids’ laundry.
Helping keep their rooms tidy.
Preparing their meals.
The U.S. Department of State also permits child-related household duties, such as meal preparation and light housekeeping. However, it's important to note that au pairs must complete these tasks within the program's work limits of 45 hours per week and 10 hours per day.
Balancing Household Help and Childcare
While most families and au pairs naturally find a balance between childcare and household help, the lack of specifics can leave parents unsure about what’s acceptable. To provide clarity, we polled families about the types and amount of household help they ask for:
1–4 hours per week: 66% of families.
5–9 hours per week: 24% of families.
10+ hours per week: 5% of families.
No household help: 5% of families.
Common Tasks Au Pairs Help With
Here’s what families shared about the tasks their au pairs perform:
Washing kids’ dishes and preparing meals.
Doing children’s laundry.
Running kid-related errands, like returning library books.
Preparing school lunches.
Occasionally vacuuming or mopping up after the kids.
Cleaning the back seat of the car (about once a month).
Making children’s beds and changing their sheets.
Picking up and organizing toys.
Most of these tasks fall under reasonable expectations for au pairs, as they relate directly to the children.
Tips for Setting Expectations
If you’re unsure about your requests or your au pair struggles with fulfilling them, consider these tips from aupairmom.com:
Provide a clear list: Write out specific chores related to the children.
Teach the tasks: Show your au pair how to perform each chore properly.
Set routines: Incorporate these chores into a daily or weekly schedule.
Integrate work and play: Offer strategies for balancing chores with child interaction.
Communicate expectations: Discuss the importance of completing these tasks and address issues directly if they arise.
When in Doubt, Ask for Help
If you’re still uncertain about what’s appropriate, consult your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) or Customer Relations Manager. They can provide guidance and perspective.
The Bottom Line
Household help is one of the most attractive benefits of the au pair program. By keeping your requests reasonable, communicating clear expectations, and offering support when needed, you can ensure a positive and balanced experience for both your family and your au pair. Read more frequently asked questions.