The Chicago Area Blog

Au Pairs work hard all week long.  They provide childcare for their Host Families for up to 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week.  They have fun with the children; taking them to the park, playing games, reading, helping with homework, driving to activities and so much more.  So when the work week is over, Au Pairs love to take a break and relax.

On Friday, April 16 three Au Pair in America clusters from the western suburbs gathered at Expression Dance Studio in Westmont for:  “Au Pair Dance Night Out.”  They were joined by their local Community Counselors Maria, Pat and Pam, and one very brave set of Au Pair parents for some dance lessons and a whole lot of fun.  The au pairs learned a few “smooth latin moves” and how to have fun, and look good out on the dance floor.  One Au Pair commented:  “Dance Night was so much fun, we should do this again very soon.”

The Naperville Cluster gathered for one of their monthly cluster meetings to “give back” to a local charity.  They exercised their creativity and generosity by putting together beautiful baskets to give to families in need through the  Naperville Loaves and Fishes organization.  A fun time was had by all.

A popular event for many Au Pairs, Host Families and children is the Annual Chicago Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Downtown on Saturday, March 13th!

The festivities begin with the Chicago River being dyed green at 10:45 am. A good viewing place for this is the east side of the Michigan Avenue. The parade takes off promptly at 12:00 noon at the corner of Balboa and Columbus and heads north on Columbus to Monroe Street. Wear GREEN!

International Women’s Day is celebrated yearly on March 8th. It is a day of global celebration of women.  A celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women.   It is also a time to celebrate the  economic, political and social achievements of women.

The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States.  This year, Chicago Community Counsellors participated in an Internation Women’s Day Fair at the Union League Club in Chicago.

Two counselors in Chicago, Sandee Plescia and Kathy Kressner, took 52 au pairs to Disney World for a fast pace, guaranteed to see all 4 parks in 3 days, trip.  This is the 6th annual trip and the au pairs love it! 

It was a magical time for all.

February 14 –  Valentine’s Day is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care.  Children usually exchange cards at school. Everyone wants to know they are thought of and  loved AND  this is the day to show it. Some show it by giving a card other’s show it by giving candy or a small gift.

Be sure to check out the following link for things to do and make this Valentine’s Day — http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/calendars/#14

February 7- Super Bowl Sunday!
The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials!  People will be talking about the commercials for days. A HUGE part of this day is the FOOD especially snack food.  This is a great time to really connect with your host  family. Why not offer to make a snack from your country prepared by you and your host children. You might even want to make a football “Trivia” game to play with your host children while the adults are watching the game. If you have some ideas to make this day fun for the kids please share them with us.   To learn more about football visit the “Life in the US” section of this website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/football.asp

Groundhog Day is February 2nd.  

Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year, and you might be wondering how a groundhog landed the job of predicting the weather. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, it goes like this: If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we’re stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we luck out with an early spring.

The tradition dates back to 1887, and though the origins are unclear, it is said to have originated from ancient Europe.   It also has religious origins, as it shares similarities with Candelmas Day, which is also today.  There is  an old English saying, “If Candlemas be fair and bright,/ Come, Winter, have another flight.

Here are fun facts about Groundhog Day:

1. Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow the overwhelming majority of years

2. The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil’s prediction’s have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil’s followers, who claim he’s been correct every year.

3. Following the release of the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, starring Bill Murray, as many as  30,000 made the trip to visit the tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.

4. Groundhogs typically live only six to eight years

If you are planning on giving your au pair a gift this holiday season, but haven’t made your decision yet, here are some ideas:

• Stationary to write friends and family back home
• A SunTrek gift certificate for a trip your au pair may be planning with SunTrek-1-800-SUNTREK
• A framed photograph of her with the children
• Gifts certificates for photo albums and printing of pictures
• Hat and mittens
• A hand-made gift by the children such as a framed card, picture, painting, jewelry, etc.
• Personalized or engraved gifts
• Personal items such as bubble bath, lotion, special soaps, etc.
• Books especially a picture book of the US or a guide book for a place she is planning to visit
• Gift certificates to theatre, restaurants, store to purchase personal items, etc.
• Phone card

A special note regarding gift giving…….

Holiday gift giving in the United States may seem overwhelming to Au Pairs.  The quantity of gifts given to the children and the commercialization of this holiday season may be quite different from their experiences.  Au pairs are not in a position to purchase expensive gifts so encourage your au pair to participate in this holiday season by possibly sharing a dish from her home country, baking cookies, etc.

Please feel free to share any ideas you may have!

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Chanukah starts at sundown today and lasts for eight days.  It is a celebration of religious freedom based on historical events of more than two thousand years ago.  It is traditional to exchange gifts of gelt (Yiddish for money) in the form of real coins or chocolate wrapped in gold foil, to play a game of put-and-take with a four sided top called a dreidel, and to light candles each night.  Traditional foods include donuts and potato pancakes.  See www.holidays.net/chanukah/index.htm for more information, recipes, and crafts.