My name is Christine Connally and I have been an Au Pair in America Community Counselor since 2003. My service area includes: Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Prince George's County and Southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Host parents, this is a good time to make sure that the car your au pair drives is in good operating condition and up to date on routine maintenance.
See these previous posts on car related issues:
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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There are so many great events and things to see and do in the DC Metro area. You can spend a lot of money experiencing it, unless you look for deals. I have three websites that I am subscribed to that send local offers (for the areas of your choice) on a regular basis.
How does it work? All three of these websites allow you to register for free to receive emails with offers in the area(s) of your choice. Groupon and Living Social are daily and Goldstar has a variety of options. I am subscribed for a weekly Goldstar email. If you see an offer you like in the email, you go to their website and buy it. Read the restrictions carefully to make sure of important details such as: at which locations can it be used, the expiration date and special restrictions.
I am signed up for Washington, DC and Baltimore area deals on all of these sites. If I am planning a trip to an area in the future, I sign up for that area as well to look for deals on things I can do on my trip.
Groupon – Click HERE to register.
My fave deals – I bought a Segway Tour of Annapolis for $25 (regular price $50.) I am planning to use this in the spring. I have gotten lots of other deals for things like salon services, Redbox rentals, places to take the kids and restaurants.
Living Social – Click HERE to register.
My fave deals - I bought a $20 Amazon gift card for $10. I just got a great deal on movie tickets.
Goldstar – Click HERE to register.
My fave deal – On Goldstar, they have tickets for the Twilight Convention coming to VA in April for $10 (regular price $20) that are tempting me. They have tickets to all kinds of events, including: theater, kid’s events, sports and more.
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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Here is another post with a list of what to keep in the car glove box.
It is always a good idea to keep the gas tank at least half full at all times, especially in the winter.
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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When I had the cluster holiday party at my house in December, a few au pairs commented on the chore and behavior charts I have posted in my family room. With four kids, I find it can be difficult to keep track of who has done what and who had gained or lost various priveleges. So, over the years, I have used various charts to keep everything on track. I have also created charts for host families and au pairs dealing with behavior the children may be having.
I uploaded a few of these charts in case some of you may find them helpful.
Having chores teaches children that they are an important part of the family and their efforts count. This teaches responsibilty and promotes positive self-esteem.
Blank Chore Chart
Chore Chart with Basic Chores
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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Here are two more charts-
Behavior Chart (to give positive reinforcement to help decrease negative behavior)
Many times the reason children act out is for attention. If you can find ways to recognize and reward positive behavior, that will often help reduce the negative behavior. Using stickers or stamps on a chart like this one, is a simple way to do this. With a chart like this, it is best to keep the focus on positive behavior, therefore I do not recommend taking away any stickers they have earned (as a punishment.)
Ladder of Success (to keep track of who has earned or lost what privileges)
I keep this on a bulletin board in my family room. Each child has a different colored thumb tack that I move that up or down based on their behavior. The ladder style chart is based on an idea of the Dilley Family (famous parents of sextuplets.) I figured if it worked for them with six kids, it might work for me- and it has for many years. You can make your own substituting the kinds of activities your kids enjoy. I realize that I made this before my daughter was born, because there are no Barbie’s or perler beads on there (which are some of her favorites.) Looks like I might need to update mine.
If you have any tools to help keep your family organized and learning positive behaviors, please share them with me.
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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EXTENDING WITH YOUR CURRENT AU PAIR
If you are extending with your au pair, below are the due dates and deadlines for the Extension Program:
Arrival Date November 2009 – Extension Package Mailed: June 29, 2010
Deadline to send in Extension Package: August 18, 2010
Arrival Date December 2009 – Extension Package Mailed: August 3, 2010
Deadline to send in Extension Package: September 22, 2010
OR
BEGINNING THE SEARCH FOR YOUR NEXT AU PAIR
If you are not extending your contract with your current au pair and want to have continuous au pair childcare, the following are the recommended dates to submit your repeat application. Applying early gives you plenty of time to view applications and make a match with an au pair from any country, regardless of visa timeline.
Re-applying online is easier than ever. You just login with your Host Family ID number and password and update the information we have on file for you. There is no application fee for repeating host families.
Target Arrival Date November 2010 – Recommended that you re-apply in July or August.
Target Arrival Date December 2010 – Recommended that you re-apply in August or September.
Don’t forget to check out our Host Family Loyalty Site with information on several ways to save $500+ off your program fee.
In Orientation, au pairs receive basic Red Cross first aid and CPR training. To build on those skills and ensure that our au pairs are prepared for a variety of possible emergencies, we encourage each au pair to take an 8 hour Red Cross CPR & First Aid Course.
Au Pair in America will pay for the cost of a Red Cross CPR/First Aid Class, providing you have at least three months left on your visa or extension. You must take one of several approved child care/child safety related classes, such as Infant/Child CPR & First Aid or Community CPR & First Aid.
Why not take advantage of this great benefit? Information is available here on the APIA website.
I believe Au Pair in America is the only au pair agency who offers this benefit.
Au Pair Tips, Host Family Tips
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Many au pairs and host families are looking for places to get flu shots this time of year. Au Pair insurance does not cover immunizations, but there are lots of places to get flu shots for $30 or less. If the host family is insisting that an au pair get a seasonal flu shot and she agrees to get it, the host family would be responsible for the expense.
Remember – The seasonal flu shot will not protect you from the H1N1 (swine flu.) If you are planning to get the seasonal flu vaccine, it is recommended that you get it as early as possible.
H1N1 vaccine availability is still limited, please check the Maryland Page on flu.gov for the most current information.
Flu Shot Locator – Enter your zip code and find local flu shot clinics.
Anne Arundel County Health Department – $20 donation requested
Adventist Hospital – $25
Calvert County Health Department – To be announced
Giant Pharmacy – $30 (may be $20 with your Bonus Card)
CVS Pharmacy & Minute Clinic – $30
Walgreens Pharmacy – $25
Rite Aid Pharmacy – $30
Target Pharmacy & Target Clinic – They could not tell me the price yet.
Au Pair Tips, Blog, Host Family Tips
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When I do group new host parent orientations, I always try to invite a current au pair in my cluster to stop by and answer questions. Host parents have told me that they find that very helpful.
So, with that in mind we are adding a new guest contributor to the blog, Dominique. Host parents are invited to ask our resident au pair questions that they would like answered from an au pair’s perspective. Click the link above and post your questions.
When interviewing a prospective au pair, some families give a lot of information on themselves and their children right up front. If you do that, you may be answering some of the au pair’s questions she may have about your family. But, you will never know, because she will not ask you then. The type of questions an au pair asks, will help you judge her interest in your family and motivation for becoming an au pair. So, it might be a better idea to just give a brief intro like this: “Hi, I’m Mary Smith from Silver Spring, Maryland. My husband and I have two children, a girl who is 6 years and a boy who is 10 years.” Then, go into your interview questions. Once you have all your questions completed, let her ask any questions she may have.
Once you have completed that phase of interviewing, if it seems like you are both still interested and possibly a good fit, you want to provide a very clear picture of what being your au pair will involve and what living in your home will be like.
This could include (conversations and emails) about:
This may seem like a lot to discuss, but being thorough up front can prevent problems down the road like au pair and host parents having different expectations and perceptions.
