What is it really like to be an au pair? While your schedule will vary depending on the age of the children you are taking care of and the host family's needs, below is what a typical day and week look like for an au pair named Monika, who takes care of two children, 6-year old, Sam, and 1-year old, Ann. Both of Monika's host parents, Margo and Eric, work outside of the home.
| 7:00 | Wake Up |
| 7:30 | Make breakfast for Sam and Ann |
| 8:30 | Help Sam get ready for school |
| 9:00 | Drive Sam to school |
| 10:00 | Take Ann to 'Tiny Tots' gym class |
| 12:00 | Make lunch for Ann |
| 13:00 | Clean up lunch dishes and fold Sam & Ann’s laundry |
| 14:00 | Put Ann down for a nap |
| 15:30 | Ann wakes up from nap Pick Sam up from school |
| 16:00 | Make Sam a snack and help him with his homework |
| 17:00 | Host Mom, Margo, arrives home from work |
| 18:30 | Host Dad, Eric, arrives home Dinner with the family |
| 20:00 | Free evening to relax and spend time with friends |
| MORNING | AFTERNOON | EVENING | |
| MONDAY | Breakfast Drive Sam to school Play at park with Ann |
Lunch Nap for Ann Pick up Sam Play in backyard |
(Personal Time) Dinner Homework time for class |
| TUESDAY | Breakfast Drive Sam to school Gym class with Ann |
Lunch Nap for Ann Pick up Sam Help with homework |
(Personal Time) Dinner Go to movie theater with friends |
| WEDNESDAY |
Breakfast |
Lunch Nap for Ann Pick up Sam 'Play date' with neighbor's children |
(Personal Time) Dinner Go to evening college class |
| THURSDAY | Breakfast Drive Sam to school Visit library with Ann |
Lunch Nap for Ann Pick up Sam Fun activity with Sam and Ann |
(Personal Time) Dinner Meet up with friends at local cafe |
| FRIDAY | Breakfast Drive Sam to school 'Play date' with Ann's friends |
(Personal Time) Free afternoon - relaxing, reading |
(Personal Time) Head into city for dinner and a concert with friends |
| SATURDAY | (Personal Time) Meet au pair for a game of tennis |
(Personal Time) Shop at the mall with friends |
(Personal Time) Skype with my family and friends back home |
| SUNDAY | (Personal Time) Family breakfast at local restaurant |
(Personal Time) Meet up with friend for a bike ride |
(Personal Time) BBQ at friend's house, watch evening TV with host family |

