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Last replied
10 Mar 2024
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Details
Description
Hello there!
We are a small familly, Jean-Damien (45) and Stéphanie (38), with a homeschooled son who is 14 years old. We have 3 beautiful dogs, an adorable cat, and some chickens :) We live in a house that is currently undergoing renovations, in a small countryside town, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris, 50 minutes from Reims, and 40 minutes from Troyes.
Soon, both of us will be returning to work, and we are looking for someone to support us by being present for our son and our animals, and to lend a hand around the house.
Having been an au pair myself, I see this exchange as a human adventure, based on mutual respect. I can offer French and English lessons based on your preferences :)
Ideally, we are looking for someone who is independent, easygoing, trustworthy, who enjoys cycling regularly, regardless of the weather, and most importantly, loves children and animals and knows how to take care of them. We can provide a private room. Our bathroom is still under construction, but it is functional! ;)
We don't have specific "rules" regarding the use of the internet or the phone. We can share our internet connection for free, but for international calls, depending on the destinations, we may need to consider an appropriate plan to avoid unnecessary extra costs.
As an example for our son, and because he is homeschooled from 10 am to noon and from 1:30 pm to 5 pm, the television and music should be used in your room.
The use of the phone during these hours should also be limited to messages as much as possible, for the same reasons.
We can certainly accommodate your personal needs alongside ours, if necessary! ;)
It is mentioned that we are a household of 'smokers,' but it's only my partner who is in the process of quitting smoking and he smokes mostly in his office or outside the house.
We would prefer that if a smoker were to visit, they smoke outside the house. A non-smoker would be very comfortable in our home, as I am.
We can exchange more details via messages if you have any questions, with pleasure! And we can provide you with additional photos of the house, your room, ourselves, etc. :)
It's also important to note that our house is under video surveillance.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Teaching
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Locally, the town is quite simple and isolated.
It's possible to go for bike rides in the village, the surrounding fields, and a bit in the forest.
To explore culturally intriguing places, a bus (a school bus too) can take you directly to Reims, Châlons-en-Champagne, or even to Troyes, which are beautiful French historic cities filled with architectural and cultural riches.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
To detail the help we would like, it would involve at a minimum being present for our son, possibly assisting with his homeschooling, and taking him (by foot or bicycle) to his cultural and sports activities in the city.
We also desire someone who can oversee (/educate) the dogs.
There will likely be a need to prepare meals, just for lunch, for yourself and our son (no need to stress! simple, and I can show you ;) -> I'm not a good cook at all!.......)
For meals, we usually eat very simply, often in front of the television (but it might change ;). Meals are typically around noon and in the evening around 7 to 8 pm. For breakfast, each person takes it according to their schedule, and the same goes for snacks if needed.
For example, a week could be like this :
- Monday : 10h30 - 15h30
Going for a 40-minutes bike ride with our homeschooled son, and looking for him (he is 14, so, just be there if needed)
Feeding our dogs, our cat, and our chickens (simply keeping their bowls filled at all time), and always having clear water for all of them
Preparing the meal for yourself and our son.
Taking the dogs in the garden and keeping an eye on them (the neighbor's dog is rarely around, but it's best to avoid interaction if possible).
Perhaps vacuuming and/or mopping in common areas.
- Tuesday : 10h30 - 15h30
Going for a 40-minutes bike ride with our homeschooled son, and looking for him
Taking him (by bicycle) to a workshop in the village.
Washing and putting away the dishes (using the dishwasher and/or by hand)
Feeding our dogs, our cat, and our chickens, and always having clear water for all of them
Preparing the meal for yourself and our son.
Taking the dogs in the garden and keeping an eye on them
- Wednesday : 13h30 -18h30
Looking for our son
Taking him to his workshops in the village.
Feeding our dogs, our cat, and our chickens, and always having clear water for all of them
Taking the dogs in the garden and keeping an eye on them
Perhaps vacuuming and/or mopping in common areas.
- Thursday : --> certainely my future day off, so, I'll do what's described next
Going for a 40-minutes bike ride with our son, and looking for him
Washing and putting away the dishes
Feeding our dogs, our cat, and our chickens , and always having clear water for all of them
Preparing the meal for yourself and our son.
Taking the dogs in the garden and keeping an eye on them
- Friday : 12h00 - 17h00 (my husband will be working at home that day)
Looking for our son
Preparing the meal for my husband, yourself and our son.
Taking him to his workshop in the village.
Feeding our dogs, our cat, and our chickens, and always having clear water for all of them
Taking the dogs in the garden and keeping an eye on them
Perhaps vacuuming and/or mopping in common areas.
(Saturday is a day off for my husband, and sunday, we should both be at home)
Saturday : Off, except if we exceptionally need help, and if you're ok, and only if another day has become off during the week.
Sunday : Off
We might occasionally need some help with other routine tasks, but I believe what is written here reflects well what we might ask of you.
Anyway, we can talk about all of it together, and I don't know at the moment how I will exactly work during the week.. ;)
As for household chores, they will be really basic and routine tasks.
Languages
Languages spoken
French: Fluent
English: Intermediate
German: Beginner
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
As mentioned earlier, I can teach French. I have done so before, using English as a common language to better explain certain concepts. I also have some knowledge of German. During my days off, as well as in the evenings, we can make time for that. I enjoy sharing knowledge, so I'll be happy to do it ;) Our son is learning English and Italian.
Accommodation
As mentioned earlier, we live in a house that is still undergoing renovations. We offer a small individual attic room in very good condition, with a 140 cm wide bed. The bathroom is still a work in progress but entirely functional, with a shower and a sink. There are 2 separate toilets.
During winter, we exclusively use wood for heating. As for food, we don't have any particular dietary restrictions. We regularly eat meat, but it's true that we don't have enough fresh vegetables. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I'm sorry, but I'm not a great cook at all... so I hope you can manage, and we are very open to your suggestions or if you'd like to take charge of meal preparation ;)
What else ...
It's true that being a bit isolated, if you have a vehicle, it's easier to explore the region during your free time. Otherwise, if you simply enjoy relaxing at home, watching a movie, meditating, reading, and so on, it's ideal.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
