My morning routine in the US

It was almost 6:15 in the morning, and my alarm was about to go off. I would have given anything to stay warm in my bed, just listening to the snow falling on the roof (believe me, it should be one of the seven wonders of the world). But I needed to get up and start my day.

This was my view from my bedroom window — a beautiful white day. 

So, I did. I went downstairs and started the coffee machine. I knew exactly, at 06:38 AM, that my host dad would come from his morning exercises to start his breakfast. So this was part of my routine, for my own decision (it wasn't my responsibility).

In the morning, what I needed to do was to help my host kids with their breakfast and their lunch box.  My oldest boy A, liked to have some milk, toast, and bacon for breakfast, O the second oldest, loved scrambled eggs, waffles with syrup, pancakes with strawberry jelly and orange juice, or a bowl of cereal) and at that time, Baby D loved some fruits, cereal, or a delicious milk bottle.

Weekly breakfast

Well, so after getting their lunch box ready, I opened the garage door and started my host mum's car (again, for my own decision to help them). Then, it was time to take them upstairs, brush their teeth, and get the backpack. At this time, it was possible to hear my host mum coming downstairs, always very elegant to go to work. My host dad, between his breakfast and the news, also prepared her breakfast to go (yes, she had a busy routine, so she couldn't have breakfast with the kids. My host dad finished his breakfast and left to get himself ready for work.

A curious fact about me, I never eat when I get up, only 2 hours later, so I rarely had breakfast with them, and when it happened, it was on Sunday.

After mummy's  “goodbye kisses” and “have a nice day” wishes, I walked with my oldest boys to the bus stop at the corner. They took the bus to school and my baby boy D walked back home to wait for daddy to take him to daycare.

Exactly like in American movies.

As I reflect on my mornings as an au pair, I see the beauty in the simplicity of our daily routine. Despite the early wake-up calls and the rush to get everyone ready for the day, there was a sense of purpose and rhythm that permeated every moment. From making breakfast to making sure the kids were ready for school, each task was a labor of love, a testament to the bonds formed within our host family. Through this experience, I discovered the profound value of routine, not only for maintaining order, but also for fostering a sense of stability and connection. As I bid farewell to each morning, I carried with me the lessons learned and cherished memories, grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a cherished family dynamic.