May 22, 2012

I read this article from the Washington Post on May 17 and just had to add it to my blog.  I had 3 very athletic brothers growing up and always hated the “smell of boys”.  I vowed when I was a mother I would NEVER  allow “Stinky Boy Smell” into my home.   I feel rotten for judging my mother for all those years and realize this is an ongoing battle when you have  boys.   Now as a mother of 2 boys,  “Stinky Boy Smell” is a unwelcome visitor in my own home.   After confessing to my friends , it turns out it is battle we must all fight  – to include actress, Jada Smith.   Mother to Mother, Counselor to Au Pair – here are tips to share as we join forces in a common goal!

By Megan Buerger

Does your house reek of smelly feet? Here are three household ingredients that will help get rid of the funky odor.

Baking Soda: Shake a small amount of baking soda into a pair of shoes and leave it overnight. The next morning, toss the powder into a trash can and wipe the shoe with a dry cloth. Baking soda can also come in handy with stinky socks. Just fill the toes with a quarter-sized amount of baking soda and tie them into a knot. Stuff the socks into the shoes and let them sit overnight.

Fabric Softener Sheets: Stuff a fabric softener sheet into each shoe and leave for 12 hours. For gym bags, stick a dryer sheet into the bag and leave until the smell has subsided. Many athletes always carry dryer sheets in their gym bags!

Salt: That funky odor comes from sweaty feet. Sweat provides a hot, moist environment for bacteria to grow, and these bacteria cause sneakers to smell. Soak up some of this moisture by sprinkling a teaspoon of salt in your shoes. For this, you may want to try scrubbing out the shoes ahead of time.

May 18, 2012

May is Good Care Care Month.  Many of the au pairs in our cluster are lucky to have access to a car in their free time.  This is a privilege for an au pair NOT a right.  It is important to let your host family know you appreciate allowing you to use the car and take care of the care as if it were your own.   Wash and clean your car monthly to show you care!! Host families want to know if there is red light on in the car or it is driving “differently”.    You need to let the host family know if the oil needs to be changed (every 3,000 miles) or the other fluids are low.   Below are a few pictures to help you check is your oil is low —-  KNOWLEDGE is POWER.  No matter how beautiful you are, how much money you wish to marry into, how great a boyfriend is with a car — you should know the basics!!!!

1. Step 1

   Park the car on a level surface.

2. Step 2

   To get the most accurate reading you want to check your oil when the engine is cold.

3. Step 3

   Pull the hood release lever under the dashboard.

4. Step 4

   
   Walk around the front of the car, reach under the hood, find the latch and squeeze it. As you squeeze the latch, open the hood.

    

    

5. Step 5

   Find the dipstick. This is a long piece of metal sticking out of the engine with a loop at one end, usually located near the center of the engine. Many times it will be labeled with the word “Oil” or brightly colored.

    

    

6. Step 6

   Pull on the loop and draw the dipstick all the way out.

7. Step 7

   
   Wipe the oil off the dipstick with a paper towel or shop rag.

    

    

8. Step 8

   Replace the clean dipstick, making sure to push it all the way in, then pull it back out and hold it horizontally in front of you.

    

    

9. Step 9

   
   Look at the pointy end of the dipstick. If the oil on the dipstick is below the line marked “full,” add a small amount of oil. Many dipsticks simply have 2 lines with a cross hatch design in between. The oil level should be halfway between these 2 lines.

    

    

10. Step 10

    Add the oil by unscrewing the oil filler cap, which is about 3 inches in diameter and located on the very top of the engine. It will usually be marked with the words “Engine Oil”.

     

     

11. Step 11

    Check the oil level with the dipstick after adding oil. Add more if necessary. It’s easier to add more oil several times, then to take oil out.

12. Step 12

    Put the oil filler cap back on and secure it tightly.

April 13, 2012

April 15, 2012

In the United States, Tax Day is the common term for the day on which tax returns (statements about income taxes) are due to the federal and state governments from U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and nonresident aliens. More specifically, this is the last day on which tax returns can be mailed (as postmarked) to avoid penalties, with some exceptions. In the United States, Tax Day has usually (see below) been April 15 since 1955.

TODAY is the day that au pairs should submit payment for their taxes for 2011.   The address to mail your tax forms is:  Department of Treasury  Internal Revenue Service Center  Austin, TX  73301-0215 USA.  Please check the blog links for forms and instructions.

Happy Tax Day!

April 12, 1012

Here are 10 tips to incorporate Positive Childcare into your day.  These tips are written by:  C. McCrory.

1. Boredom at Bay

When a child begins to get bored, their little bodies wander, and often into trouble or mischief. It is important to make sure you keep the children busy with different things to do if they cannot occupy themselves alone, or until they are able to entertain themselves. Keeping a list of quick and easy activities or games is a good idea to avoid rushing to find something to occupy little ones. If they are busy with the right activities, you’ll avoid potential misbehaviour and mess.

2. Endless Encouraging

Positivity leads to smiles, not sadness. Children look up to adults around them for approval and examples, which is why encouraging them is so important. When children do something right, well or good, make sure you awknoledge that right away. Your positive comments and encouragement will make them want to repeat that behaviour and act in a way which is pleasing to you. You will also be building their self-esteem and confidence, leading to stronger little individuals.

3. Reward not Reverse

When children take positive and appropriate actions, rewards them where needed. In contrast, do not use a reward as an encouragement to do something. The reward should be a positive surprise, not an incentive to do something. This is in fact bribing, and it is not constructive. In addition, the reward is best to be non-material, such as an shared activity, not a ‘thing’ like a toy.  You want positive actions to become first nature, without them expecting anything in consequence.

4. Listen and Protect

Be attentive to what children express to you, especially if they share something that is bad, negative, scary or worrisome to them. You want to react in a positive and supportive way so that the child continue to trust you and share with you. If you have a negative reaction, this will deter the child from coming to you in the future. A strong relationship of trust can be built with children and the importance of this in their live is significant and necessary.

5. Boulder Boundaries

Boundaries are essential to a child’s development and understanding. Setting limits serves the purpose of protecting a child, helping then understand rules and creating a sense of safety.  By nature, as little as they are, they will still challenge these boundaries, and it is essential that you maintain these and remain consistent in what you say. Over time, children will challenge what you say and do less and less as they better understand that you mean what you say.

6. Teaching By Example

Children may have little eyes and ears, but they still take it all in. They are constantly watching you and listening to what you say to them or others. As adults are examples to them, they will mimic certain behaviours they see you do, which is why it is so important that you behave in way you would want them to behave. Be as attentive to your own behaviour as you are to theirs.

7. Keep Calm and Carry On

Also part of “teaching by example,” you do not want to let your anger cause you to react in a way you do not want children to mimic or witness. If you are angry in a way that is affecting your thought process and behaviour, then take a step back and wait before reacting. Conversation can occur once you have regained your calm and discipline can take place once you mind is clear.

8. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again.

Looking after children is not easy, in fact many say it is one of the most challenging job in the world. It can, at times, be exhausting, draining, frustrating and overwhelming. The best you can do is to do the best that you can, don’t try to be perfect because no one is. Parenting and caring for children is a challenge, one that you should not be afraid to ask for help with. Whatever you do, don’t get overwhelmed, and take it one day at a time!

9. The Bright Side of Discipline

Discipline is an amazing thing that will build good, well behaved and understanding children. This is not the shouting, screaming, violent or threatening kind of discipline, this is the healthy, constructive, clear and reasoned discipline. They key is to be calm, clear and consistent (the 3 C’s of Discipline) to help children understand the reason why they are being punished, how they are being punished and that this means you care about them. Find a strategy that works for your household and carry it out when necessary, following the 3 C’s.

10. T.L.C – Tender love and care.

Some people have a natural tendency to shy away from emotions and closeness, but this is an essential element of childcare. Children need love, comfort, warmth and protection. Do not be afraid of showing this to them by playing with them, taking time for them, hugs, kind words and holding their hand. Be aware and attentive of their emotional needs and do your best to meet them.

April 9, 2012

Did You Know???-

-          Over 65% of Au Pair in America families repeat with us.
-          Au Pair in America Community Counselors are experienced, the average years of service of 9 years. – I have been with Au Pair in America for over 11 years!!!
-          Au Pair in America customer service surveys results show that 94% of Au Pair in America families would recommend the program to a friend
-          Placement surveys from repeat and new families indicate that 96% feel Au Pair in America placement service is excellent or very good.
-          Almost 1,000 Au Pair in America families are referred to us last year by another family.
-          Au Pair in America is the ONLY au pair program to have partnerships with American Red Cross and AAA

This question comes up from time to time and with the tax deadline approaching, I thought I would post a link with a great step by step tutorial.  Click on the image of a check below to go to the tutorial on About.com.