Author Archives: Jolanta Tipler

Volunteering at Super Saturday in City Park

Au pairs did a super job at Super Saturday in City Park on November 4, 2017. After recent rains, the trails in Couturie Forest were muddy and needed mulching to make them passable for hikers and joggers. The work started promptly at 9am with instructions from Tyler, volunteer manager. Together with other volunteers, au pairs picked up mulch with pitchforks from a mulch pile and loaded it on wheel wheelbarrows. Then they pushed the wheelbarrows to the trail to distribute the mulch over the ruts and hollows.

The weather cooperated and was mild and sunny. Despite a few mosquito bites and quite a few ant bites from the ants that occupied the mulch pile, au pairs enjoyed the experience and were happy to contribute to City Park beautification.

http://neworleanscitypark.com/super-saturdar

Au pairs Attend Krewe de Boo Parade

APIA au pairs who spend their year in the program with host families in New Orleans are amazed and delighted by New Orleanians’ fondness for street parades. Wow! So much excitement! So much FREE entertainment!

In order to explore this cultural characteristic of the Crescent City inhabitants, au pairs try to participate in as many parades as possible. That’s why they were delighted to attend Krewe de Boo Parade that rolled thru the French Quarter in anticipation and celebration of Halloween. Au pairs joined the festive crowd to vie for the throws and admire the fantastic floats and costumes. They listened to the music and cheered on the parading bands. Great time was had by all!

October Picnic at Sugar Roots Farm

Sugar Roots Farm, located on the outskirts of New Orleans, was the perfect place for au pairs to enjoy a bit of a country atmosphere on a lovely October day. After paying a visit to resident horses, a cow, a couple of turkeys and geese and a friendly lama, au pairs sat down to a nice picnic spread. General conversation soon turned toward highly anticipated Halloween, one of the American holidays that all au pairs heard about and were eager to experience for themselves. They shared ideas for different costumes and games they could enjoy with their host kids on Halloween.

https://www.sugarrootsfarm.org/

Louise and Lynnesse Say Goodbye

Louise from Sweden and Lynnesse from South Africa became fast friends during their time as APIA au pairs in New Orleans.

Both had much fun living with their host families, getting to be friends with their host kids and learning about daily life in the United States.

Asked what they liked best about their experience, they agreed that matching with the right family made the experience “perfect”.

They enjoyed “having a lot of opportunities” in the city where “there’s always something to do”. And, of course, they loved Mardi Gras!

The only downside was having to say good bye to host families and friends after a year “that went too fast.”

Making Safe Decisions about Driving – Tips for Au Pairs

  • Ask your host parents where the insurance and registration documents are in the car.  These documents should always be in any vehicle you are driving.
  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules with your host family, if not talk to them about it or call your counselor
  • Make sure you know how everything in the car works! Ask questions, even if you have to ask twice, that’s okay!
  • Find out about areas that may not be considered safe, especially in and around cities, ask your host family or me for guidance if you are not sure
  • Be extra careful at night, park in well lit safe places, avoid empty looking car parks and indoor garages when you are alone
  • Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving, pull over in a safe spot if you need to send a text or check your messages
  • Let your host family and/or me know immediately if you get into an accident so we can help you
  • Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk.  If you are arrested for drinking and driving there are very serious consequences.   Be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and drive.   If you are caught drinking and driving you will go home
  • Reminder! drinking under 21 years of age is illegal in the United States
  • Always lock the car and the trunk when leaving the car unattended
  • If there is public transportation available where you live, find out how to use it and give it a try!
  • Download the apps for Uber or Lyft ~ both taxi services will pick you up and take you anywhere you need to go

Be safe and make smart decisions.  We want you to have a wonderful and safe time in the United States.  Call me if you have any questions.

Drive safe!

Helpful Webinars for APIA Au Pairs

Au Pair in America continues to offers webinars for Au Pairs six times a month.  Au Pairs receive emails from the head office several times a month inviting them to attend the webinars.  They are offered at various times and are 30 – 40 minutes in length.  

The webinar are designed for Au Pairs who are currently in the country to help them manage their year in America.  Au Pairs can register and attend for free.

Some of the recent webinars that au pairs enjoyed were: “Teenagers: The Love and Hate Relationship” and “Travel Tips for Au Pairs.”

Magie Talks about APIA at Baby and Child Expo

Au pair, Magie, from Mexico, was happy to share information about Au Pair in America with interested parents. She answered questions about the program and talked about the great opportunity the program provides both for young women from abroad who learn about life in the United States and for host families who get culturally enriching childcare help for their children.

APIA at Baby and Child Expo 2017

Please join us at Baby and Child Expo offered by La Leche League of Jefferson on Saturday, June 24 at 10am-2pm at Lakeside Mall Center Court.

In addition to getting information about Au Pair in America program visitors will have the opportunity to chat with the local APIA representative and au pairs who are currently placed with local host families.

Two gift baskets with certificates offering discounts off of the program fee will be raffled during the Expo. Children will receive gifts of coloring pages, Frisbees, bookmarks and more.

Au Pair in America, the first federally approved live-in childcare program, has a long record of successfully connecting thousands of American families with young out of country women seeking au pair experience. APIA au pairs have provided host families with outstanding childcare help while learning about life and culture in the United States.

Baby an Child Expo

June 24, 10am-2pm

Lakeside Mall – Center Court

3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd

Metairie, La 70002

https://www.facebook.com/BabyandChildExpo/