On July 4, 1776, Americans claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

Au Pair in America is dedicated to cultural exchange and hopes all our host families and au pairs are celebrating this truly American holiday together!  Enjoy your barbeques, picnics, and all the fireworks!

There are parades in most communities this weekend, check your local paper for the one closest to you!

Here is a list of some places to watch the 4th of July Fireworks:

Southampton

NORTH SEA FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREWORKS

Friday, Jul 01, 2011
Southampton Fresh Air Home Benefit   (National Class)
Place: Shinnecock, Southampton, NY (This is an expensive event, so park nearby and just watch from there!)

Greenport
Saturday, July 2, 6:00 PM-11:00 PM, Monday, July 4, t 6:00 PM-11:00 PM, Fireman’s Carnival and Fireworks Display, Fireworks display will take place July 3rd and 4th at 10 p.m. Fireworks are visible at the school, carnival, and at locations throughout Greenport.

Riverhead Sunday, July 3  Starts at 9 PM, Peconic Bay Waterfront, behind Atlantis Aquarium,  5 PM  – 9:30 PM Come down to the beautiful Peconic Riverfront to celebrate Independence Day with a great family concert by Brady Rymer and a Rock & Roll Review. The salute to American Independence ends with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:00pm at Grangebel Park on the Peconic Riverfront!

Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Viewing Party
Details: View the legendary Macys 4th of July Fireworks celebration on the Hudson River from the Flight Deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum located at Pier 86.
Where: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
When: Monday, 7pm – 10:30pm

What to do when your host kid says, “I’m bored” this summer!

Sometimes, especially with younger children, cries of boredom are really calls for companionship and attention—their friends may be away on vacation and without the structure of school they may find it difficult to keep occupied during long summer days. Prolonged intervals where the kids have nothing to do can be stressful . When bored, children often become whiny, cranky and demanding.

Here are a few easy tips to help au pairs and host parents combat summer boredom and help kids develop the internal resources that are important for developing creative, resource and time management skills:

1. Put a weekly calendar together so as not to overwhelm yourself with planning entertainment for an entire summer, just take it one week at a time—day trips, arts and craft activities, play-dates, reading time, nature hikes, picnics, bike rides, a trip to the movie theatre etc. This way kids will have something to look forward to during down time. A calendar also helps with getting kids prepared for what comes next.
2. Ask: “If you could do anything, what would you like to do?” Try and encourage your children to generate their own ideas for activities—they are more apt to have fun when they thought it up on their own! Reinforcing that children use their imaginations will also help them develop a sense of resourcefulness and get them in the habit of making their own choices about how they will spend their time.
3. Keep an “art box” handy full of supplies: scissors, fabric, felt, glue, paints and brushes, stickers, paper, markers, canvass, needle and thread, beads, yarn, picture magazines etc. Rummaging through a box of art supplies can ignite the imagination and occupy children for long periods of time. They could even begin an entrepreneurial enterprise and sell their wares at the end of the summer.
4. Inspire them to play with water. Water is very calming and soothing for children and they can while away many hours playing and keeping cool. Get them to wash the car, hose off the deck, or run through a sprinkler. Spend time together at the beach or pool.  Check out water safety tips  http://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/lie/2011/06/12/summer-water-safety-meeting-for-au-pairs/

Do you want to see a cowboy show here on Long Island? 

Cowboys and cowgirls will ride into Old Bethpage Village Restoration Saturday for an event billed as the “Gunfight at the Gulch,” the group’s second Long Island match of the season. http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/wheretogo/museums/central_nass_museum/old_bethpage_rest.html

Gunfight at the Gulch

WHEN | WHERE 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

INFO islandlongriders.com or email joe@islandlongriders.com

ADMISSION Included with general museum admission of $10 ($7 ages 5-12)

Spectators look on as mounted contestants will compete in fast-action, timed events using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition — like the stage props used in Hollywood movies — to pop balloons. 

WHAT YOU’LL SEE

As part of the match, participants dress in period clothing, replete with boots, chaps and cowboy hats, in keeping with the Old West spirit.  Courses of fire are set in a variety of patterns, with the first five balloons arranged randomly and the last five positioned in a straight line known as a rundown. Riders score points based on accuracy and time, and at the end of the match, which usually consists of four “stages,” the rider with the best total time, including any penalties such as missed balloons or overturned barrels, is declared the winner.

Au Pairs and Host Families schedules change in Summer!

It is important to have a meeting to review schedule changes for the summer .  Kids don’t have school, but they still have busy schedules.  There is often even more driving for the au pairs during summer, taking the kids to day camp, sports, and to the beach.  Playdates are plentiful and need to be part of everyone’s schedule.  Some host parents have more time off in the summer, especially if they are teachers.  Make sure you schedule who is in charge, parent or au pair.  Keep posting a schedule to define working hours for your au pair.

Vacations are often taken by families and au pairs, together and separately.  Be clear about time off and working time.  If your au pair is going on vacation and is working, she gets paid!!  Good planning will make sure everyone has a great time!

AU PAIR IN AMERICA & SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE worked together to create a special program that fulfills the requirements to be able to introduce EduCare to Suffolk County.  The program is open to all students, but will make it possible for EduCare companions to earn their required education!! 

EduCare Regulations:

• EduCare is only for families that require childcare before and after school.
• EduCare au pairs may not be placed with families that have preschool children except if other, full-time childcare plans have been made.
• The EduCare au pair may work no more than 10 hours per day, and a maximum of 30 hours per week.
• Au pairs participating in the EduCare component receive 75 percent of the weekly rate paid to non-EduCare participants.
• EduCare au pairs must complete a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit or its equivalent during the program year.
• The host family is required to provide (up to) the first $1,000 toward the cost of the au pair’s required academic course work.

Host Family Comparative Fees

  *Based on the Federal minimum wage

** Not including education allowance. Including education, difference is $3,196

EduCare in America 2011 Arrival Dates

Tuesday, July 5                                 Monday, July 25

Monday, August 1                             Monday, August 15

                                    Monday, December 5

Au Pair in America provides a comprehensive Orientation for all our au pairs before they go out to their host families.  When each au pair arrives at the NY airport, she is welcomed and transported to the Holiday Inn in Stamford.  There she is met by an Au Pair in America Orientation staff member, given some valuable information, room assignment and a chance to check into her room for rest. Three full days follow started each day with early wake up calls.   The importance of being on time is emphasized so the meeting run smoothly and au pairs learn to understand the importance of time in America.

Kan and Natty, both Au Pairs from Thailand, were welcomed to America by their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  The au pairs are going to families in Kings Park and Smithtown and will be joining a cluster of about 30 au pairs.

At Orientation the agenda includes:

• An Introduction the United States and Au Pair in America
• “The Three No’s” – No drugs, no alcohol under 18 and never while driving or caring for children, no child abuse (Au Pairs are sent home if they abuse drugs, alcohol or children!!)
• The Role of the Community Counselor
• Living in America – Cultural adaptation and communication with their American families
• Childcare safety and media
• American Red Cross Child Sfety Workshop
• The American Family
• Child Care in America – managing American Children – Communication and discipline
• Living in America – auto insurance and health insurance

3 meals a day, time to socialize with the other au pairs and the Orientation Staff.  There is even an evening tour of NYC!  Au Pairs submit questions anonymously all week and every question is answered by the staff to the group before they go home.

Au Pairs leave Orientation on Day 4 at 3 PM and head out to 35 states and hundreds of host families.  Everyone is excited to depart and begin a year as an Au Pair in America!

Cindy Garruba’s Suffolk County Au Pairs learned about WATER & SUMMER SAFETY to prepare for childcare this summer with their host children on Long Island!  Though it was a bit cloudy and cool, the au pairs enjoyed the Northville beach and the heated pool. 

Cindy taught the au pairs to recognize poison ivy to prevent exposure, and what to do if unfortunately a child or the au pair develop the rash. Everyone agreed sunscreen and avoiding the peak sun is very important.  We discussed prevention tips and what to do if someone gets a sunburn.  We even discussed deer ticks, lymes disease, splinters, and basic first aid.

We reviewed the ways to keep children safe around pools and on the beach.  EVERY AU PAIR IN SUFFOLK COUNTY WILL BE ON THE BEACH OR IN A POOL THIS SUMMER.  Water safety is essential for good childcare this summer.  Josi and Kristina really enjoyed the pool and know the importance of water safety!!

• The most important lesson for the day was that everyone must learn how to swim. 
•  Never take your eyes off the kids around water
• At the beach, swim near the lifeguard, but still keep your eyes on the kids, the lifeguard is there for emergencies!
• Keep a phone outside near the pool for emergencies.
• Learn Red Cross CPR - Au Pair in America gives scholarships for Red Cross classes!
• Keep access to pools locked when not in use this includes doors from the house and gates to the back yard.
•  No running around pools!
• No diving in shallow water
• Keep life saving equipment in pool area – poles & flotation devices
• Tubes and lifejackets on children are not substitues for adult supervision
• Keep toys out of and away from the pool when not in use, children might follow them into the water!\
• If a child is missing, check the pool first!!!!

The au pairs had time to socialize with each other.  We talked about some upcoming summer activities including going to a see Mary Poppins on Broadway in July and to a Long Island Ducks Baseball game in August.  It is Strawberry Season on Long Island and Cindy served some strawberry shortcake and the au pairs loved it.  She encouraged them to visit the farms this season to pick your own berries or just go to the farm stands to buy fresh fruit and vegetables this summer.  There are some Strawberry Festivals in Suffolk County.  Cindy’s favorite is the Mattituck Strawberry Festival.  This year it is June 17, 18 & 19.  http://mattituckstrawberryfestival.org/

         HAVE A SAFE AND FUN SUMMER EVERYONE!

This article appears on the Alliance for

International Educational and Cultural Exchange website: 

http://www.alliance-exchange.org/

Congressman Carnahan praises au pair 

program and reminisces about his own study abroad experience 

June is such a busy month for host families and au pairs here in Suffolk County, Long Island.  School is still in session, but the kids are busy with lots of fun school activities like field day, school concerts and presentations.  Sports are in full swing; lacrosse, Little League, swim team, tennis, horse back riding and so much more keep au pairs and host parents driving kids around and cheering from the sidelines! 

Vacation is coming up, school is out on June 24th!  Schedules are changing for au pairs and their host children.  Day and sleep away camps for the kids are being planned.  Au pairs and host families are planning summer vacations together and separate.  New au pairs are arriving every week, and former au pairs are heading home.  There are welcome and good bye parties, family BBQs and lots of special days to enjoy!

But with all the excitement comes some stress and a need for au pairs and host families to sit down together, discuss the schedule changes, where and how to fit in vacations and how to manage all the activities for the children.  It is very important to continue to have a weekly meeting! Please take time to discuss all the changes so we can all make sure summer here in Suffolk County, Long Island is the best it can be!

All au pairs must attend the Summer and Water Safety Cluster Meeting on Sunday, June 12.  See your email for the location and time.  Bring your towel, bathing suit and sunscreen!  Come and prepare for a safe and happy summer of childcare!