Fight the Holiday Homesickness With These Three Tips:
As an Au Pair abroad, it’s only natural that you’ll start to miss your home, your friends and even the local scenery at some point.
Many Au Pairs often experience feelings of homesickness when thinking about home.
Still, feelings of nostalgia come creeping in during festive times such as Christmas. 🎄
 Is there a healthy way to deal with this feeling?
Ho Ho Ho – we got you!
1. Talk About It!
Accept what you’re experiencing.
This involves acknowledging how you feel and, above all, not blaming or judging yourself for it.
Your emotions are valid and understandable, so be kind to yourself.
Identify if there are any triggers besides the holidays, and try to think of some activities that might make you feel better.
Talking about it with your family, host family, or friends or even tearing up a little will surely make you feel better.
Don’t be afraid to express yourself.
2. Chat With Other Au Pairs In Your Area
Make some new friends – or reach out to your Community Counsellor to discuss your feelings!
They are there to help you!
Get in touch with other Au Pairs, get together and plan some holiday activities.
You can go for a walk or even organize a nice holiday meal.
You are in this together!!
3. Share your traditions with your Host Family
Your host family is participating in the Au Pair program because they too love cultural exchange!
Share your traditions with them.
Show them what you do in your country during these types of celebrations.
You can teach them what kind of music you listen to, what dishes you cook, what you are used to doing as a family and so much more!
You can also involve the children in activities that include crafts or the preparation of typical food from your country.
They will LOVE it!
This is an excellent time to collect memories.
Observe the traditions of your host country.
Keep a journal or take lots of photos, so you can tell your family about customs that may be new or curious to them.
Holidays are times to celebrate and enjoy them.
Don’t forget that this is a unique moment and that after your experience as an Au Pair, your family and friends will be at home waiting for you to create and share new moments together.
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