How to Be an Eco-Friendly Au Pair

There are many ways in which you can help save the planet during your year as an au pair. For one thing, you’ll have lots of free time. As a result, you can spend this demonstrating on the street, writing to politicians, and meeting new people who have the same interests as you. Furthermore, you’ll also be shaping the minds of the next generation! In this blog post, we’ll look at six ways you can be an eco-friendly au pair!

Teach Yourself and Your Host Kids All About Climate Change

Firstly, why not spend a week (or month!) learning all about climate change in a fun way with your host kids? Proposing a weekly theme is a great way to keep kids interested, motivated, and on task. Better yet, your host parents will love that you’re teaching the kids something new!

Start by watching a few documentaries yourself so that you can better answer your host kid’s questions! Then, why not spend one evening coloring a picture of the planet? The next day, you can learn all about seasonal foods and buy a few of these with your host kids. Finally, why not watch an age-appropriate TV show which helps explain the climate emergency to kids?

Always Take a Keep Cup and Water Bottle

One of the best ways to spend time as an au pair is in a local coffee shop with a friend. But, if you’re taking your coffee out, make sure you bring along a reusable cup.

As well as this, if you’re always on the go and exploring your new city, you’ll need to make sure you bring along a water bottle! As a result, you’ll stay hydrated, won’t waste money on a new bottle while you’re out, and won’t add more unnecessary plastic waste to the planet.

Become a Minimalist

You may be tempted to pack hundreds of clothes for your year abroad. However, we guarantee that when looking after kids, you’ll only need a couple of very comfortable outfits.

As well as this, pack some comfortable walking shoes so that you can easily explore the city. Also, bring an outfit that you love for nights out in bars, and, finally, a thick winter coat for the colder months!

Being a minimalist reduces how much money you’re spending. But, it also helps declutter your small chambre de bonne or bedroom, and it means you’re not buying unnecessary clothes!

Walk Absolutely Everywhere

One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to walk everywhere. Of course, this isn’t always possible if you live out in the countryside. However, if you’re only traveling a short distance then always try to go by foot or bicycle!

As well as being better for the planet, this is also a great way to get to know your new neighborhood. You’ll learn all the back streets and the best cafes, bars, and restaurants in your local area!

Shop at Local and Seasonal Whenever You Can

If you are in charge of cooking dinner, then why not come up with some recipes that involve seasonal vegetables? Furthermore, cooking meat and dairy free dishes a few nights per week can significantly reduce a family’s carbon footprint.

Run your suggested meal-plans past your host parents. Then, head out to the local market to buy food which has been grown nearby! When you first start cooking for your host family, look for simple recipes that you can easily follow. When you’ve mastered them, move onto more difficult meals!

These are our top tips for becoming an eco-friendly au pair!