hello all, this is a long one- sorry!
i'm currently working as an au pair in germany on my year abroad from university. i have been here 5 weeks and it became clear after the first couple of days that the job i am expected to do here consists of double the hours advertised in their website profile. i have very little privacy, one of the children is the fabled 'demon child' of my English teacher training course seminars, and the parents take out all of their stress on me. deciding i'd given it enough of a chance, i have spent the past week arranging job interviews with new host families, visiting apartments and getting in contact with friends about staying on their couches here while i spend my 'unemployed' time here doing an intensive language course (it's really important to me to be comfortable committing to 4 weeks in one location to do my intensive german class, plus the jobs i'm interviewing for all begin in november).
as my host family don't need me for the first two weeks of october due to school holidays, i was intending to hand in my compulsory 2weeks notice at the end of the week, thereby giving them 4 weeks to search for a replacement au pair or nanny. unfortunately, they suffered the death of a grandparent this morning following a long illness, and they have been vocal about their need and appreciation of extra help during this time. although they make my life very difficult, i know they aren't intentionally doing so and i want to make things as easy as possible for them, particularly the kids. however, i have developed more or less a full-blown anxiety disorder since arriving here and need to get out ASAP for my own sanity. i'm here to learn the language, make friends and discover the city- despite having a lot of experience with children i cannot cope with this situation!
what do i say to my host family? how can i make this situation as easy as possible for all of us?
love,
Sammy