COVID-19 stories #8: ‘We all suffer from the same things, and that’s what gives me strength’

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During these scary COVID-19 times we have to stay strong, however difficult it may be. Some of us are dealing with homesickness, some feel scared and others try to make the best out of the situation. We are all dealing with this situation in a different way, but we want to let you know that you are NOT (!) alone. We will share COVID-19 stories from au pairs to show you that you are not the only one who is dealing with this.

Au pair from Hungary

I arrived in the states to start my journey only 1,5 months ago. After 1 month is when you finally get settled, get  the hang of the routine, start to feel like you’re having the time of your life, you’re starting to plan your trips and meetings with friends. And then BOOM, corona virus strikes and you’re suddenly locked down in the house with two kids you barely know and parents who are suddenly working from home. You’ve never even had the chance to get to know the people in your area and now it seems like you won’t have that chance for the next few months. You also had to cancel your first trip to Florida which made you so excited when you booked it, and you have no idea how long you have to stay inside the house from now on. 

I don’t know if it’s familiar to you, but this is exactly what happened to me. I do know a few people from the training school, and I’m extremely grateful for them. Everyone needs the opportunity to vent to someone who knows their situation. 

Let’s be honest, this situation is probably the hardest any au pair ever had to face. You’re far away from your home country, you’re worried about your family, you’re stuck inside with the kids who also don’t know how to handle this change, and you don’t have the freedom to do what you also came here for: travel. What makes it really hard is that you can’t even see your friends or have a little off time because you basically live in your workplace under someone else’s roof. We all suffer from the same things, and that’s what gives me strength. 

I know how hard it is to deal with misbehavior, sometimes 8 hours a day. I know how exhausted you can feel after a workday. I know how you wish you could go home sometimes. I know you have really bad days. I know it seems like it’s never gonna end, and the uncertainty is horrible. I know, no matter how great your host family is, they are not your real family.

I’m not the only one. A lot of powerful au pairs are going through the same thing, and I want to tell you this: don’t give up! It helps a little if you write a list of positive things that comes from this situation, and also try to reflect on the good things at the end of every day. There are a lot of hidden pros that you can’t see right now. I also love to see how au pairs stick together, comfort each other, rely on each other and laugh on their own misery everywhere I look. This makes us an even better community.

One thing is certain: we will come out of this a lot stronger than before, and every other challenge will feel like nothing compared to this. So stay strong, we got this. 

Do you feel inspired and want to share your story with us? Send an email to theaupairblog@gmail.com and tell us about your situation.

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