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.
Tag Archives: au apair new orleans
Au Pairs Talk Communication
Au pair Lina from Brazil said: “The best way for you to enjoy your year as an au pair is to have a very good relationship with your host family.” Her au pair friend Julia from Sweden added that very good relationship could only be achieved through an open and honest communication.
However, communication that must bridge different languages and cultural expectation can pose challenges. A quick game of deconstructing Twitter acronyms showed just how tricky understanding and interpreting a new language can be, whether it’s Twitter-speak, spoken English or culturally inflected body language.
Samantha from Mexico spoke for everybody when she suggested that both au pairs and host families needed to show flexibility and patience when communicating and soon enough everybody will speak the same argot!
GL TTYL
Volunteering Options in New Orleans
Below is the partial list of volunteering options in New Orleans. There are quite a few more opportunities where you can show your volunteering spirit but this list should be sufficient to get you started.
Why volunteer? Because volunteering is a very important part of American culture that you’ll only appreciate if you give it a try. It also helps you “broaden your horizons”, both physically and mentally, and allows you to make friends that you’d never meet otherwise.
Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans
http://www.voagno.org/about-us
Hands on New Orleans
http://www.handsonneworleans.org/
Beacon of Hope Resource Center
www.beaconofhopenola.org
Camp Restore
www.camprestore.org
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
www.ccano.org
Common Ground Relief
www.commongroundrelief.org
Grow Dat Youth Farm
www.growdatyouthfarm.org
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat-nola.org
Hike for KaTREEna
www.hikeforkatreena.org
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans
www.jagno.org
KidSmart
www.kidsmart.org
Projects with Purpose
www.projectswithpurpose.org
Rebuilding Together New Orleans
www.rtno.org
Second Harvest Food Bank
www.no-hunger.org
Jewish Community Center
www.nojcc.org
Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
yrno.com
New Orleans City Park Volunteer
http://neworleanscitypark.com/info/volunteer
Audubon Institute (Zoo, Aquarium, Insectarium)
http://www.auduboninstitute.org/volunteers
Uptown Shepherds Center
http://uptownshepherdcenter.wix.com/uptownshepherdcenter
Louisiana’s Children’s Museum
http://lcm.org/volunteer-internships
New Orleans Museum of Art
https://noma.org/support/volunteer/
Longue Vue House and Gardens
https://longuevue.com/give/volunteer/
Contemporary Arts Center
http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/support-us/volunteer
Touro Hospital
http://www.touro.com/content/careers/volunteer.htm
Tulane Medical Center
http://tulanehealthcare.com/about/volunteer.dot
Children’s Hospital
http://www.chnola.org/Volunteer
East Jefferson General Hospital
http://ejgh1.tru-m.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=71
New Orleans Public Library
Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Human Resources at 504 596-2607
Jazz Fest
http://www.jazzandheritage.org/get-involved
French Quarter Festivals
http://fqfi.org/pages/detail/118/Volunteers
Mahalia Jackson Theatre
http://mahaliajacksontheater.com/general-info/volunteer
Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre
http://summerlyric.tulane.edu/audition.cfm
Jefferson Performing Arts Society
http://www.jpas.org/support-us/volunteer-with-jpas/
SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
http://www.la-spca.org/donate/volunteer/opportunities
Crescent City Classic (racing)
http://www.ccc10k.com/volunteers
Susan G. Komen New Orleans (cure for breast cancer)
http://komenneworleans.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Rock & Roll Marathon Series
http://www.runrocknroll.com/new-orleans/the-weekend/volunteer/
Holiday Celebrations
As usual in December, au pairs got together for a big holiday party. After sharing stories about different celebrations in their respective countries, au pairs decided to follow one of the American customs and played Dirty Santa Game, a Christmas gift exchange that calls for participants to “steal gifts” from each other.
Another fun game involved drawing a Christmas scene on a paper plate placed on au pair’s head.
Fortified with hot chocolate and an array of cookies and snacks, au pairs set out to continue the fun evening at Celebration in the Oaks in City Park.
Getting School Age Host Children To Talk About Their Day
1.
Allow the child some time to wind down from his/her day. You
may be tempted to ask your host child about their day as soon
as you see them. Children may need some time to pass before
they want to open up about their day. They may be more willing
to share stories if you give them some time to get out of school
mode.
2.
Ask your host child specific questions. If you ask “how was your
day” you may find you get the same response every day. Here are
some examples of questions to stimulate conversation:
“Who did you eat lunch with?”
“What did you play at recess?”
“Tell me one new thing your teacher taught you today?”
“What was the best thing that happened at school today?”
3.
Tell your host child about your day. Talking about what you did
may start conversation and encourage your host child to share.
4.
Be silly. If you have young host children do not be afraid to act a
little silly. You can start a conversation by telling them how you
think their day went and mentioning silly things. For example,
“Let me guess something fun that happened today. Did a hot air
balloon land at recess and everyone took a hot air balloon ride?”
5.
Be patient. All children are different and some are more willing to
share stories. If you are consistent with your communication, your
host child will follow your cues and open up
Kayaking on Bayou St. John
Paddling on the historic Bayou St. John is one of the nicest ways to spend a cool September afternoon. Au pairs didn’t spot any alligators but jumping fish was plentiful.
Mardi Gras Celebration
Among many things au pairs love about New Orleans is the opportunity to experience the weeks-long outdoor party that is Mardi Gras season.
They enjoy everything about this “crazy time” and “the coolest free show on Earth”: daily parades that roll own the streets, extravagant floats, high-flying Mardi Gras throws, tons of beads around their necks, buckets of doubloons, the bands, the stands, the costumes. Also, the roar of the crowds to which they contribute with all their enthusiasm and vocal power:
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!
See the list of Mardi Gras parades at http://www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/
CHILDREN SAFETY
If au pair goes to the parade with her host family, it is important to discuss beforehand the following issues:
1. Will au pair be working or just hanging out with the family?
2. If she’ll be working — what exactly will be her duties.
3. If she’ll be looking after a particular child — which one and what she should do when the child gets tired, bored, overexcited, hungry etc.
4. Rules regarding bathroom use.
5. Rules about hand holding and crossing/approaching the street.
6. Rules about not coming close to the floats to receive hand-out toys or special beads. If the child is offered a special item, parents should bring the child to the float to receive it, not au pair.
7. Rules about staying close together and not straying with/without child in pursuit of beads/doubloons.
AU PAIR SAFETY
The rules are common-sense but worth remembering:
1. Do not bring valuables to the parade. That includes money, credit cards, expensive electronics and jewelry, etc.
2. Carry your ID, credit card & some cash in a bag that you can keep track of at all times. Keep it zipped and close to your body.
3. Be mindful and protective of your expensive camera if you decide to bring it with you.
4. If you stop for a drink or snack don’t leave your purse or camera on the chair or table even if your friends promise to watch them. Always have them with you.
4. Don’t park on median (neutral ground) unless you want to get a ticket. Meter maids go out in force to give out plenty of parking tickets during Mardi Gras.
5. Be friendly but cautious when making friends. Do not go into people’s houses if you don’t know the owners and never wander away into secluded area (night or day).
6. Remember that in Louisiana legal age for drinking alcohol is 21 years old.
7. Trust your gut. If you have a funny feeling about a person or a situation walk away and join your friends or seek a busy place with other visitors.
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!
Known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
For the children, visit this link for fun coloring pages, craft ideas, puzzles and games to celebrate the 4th of July holiday.