Wishing you all a great, fun filled weekend with friends and family. Be safe if you are traveling. Here is a link to some fireworks around the area:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/DMV-Fireworks-Finder.html
Yearly Archives: 2014
BEACH AND SWIMMING POOL SAFETY TIPS
Since some of our au pairs and families are spending SO much time at the pool or the beach,here are some more safety tips for you to follow in order to stay safe.
Swim safely.
- Take swim lessons if you don’t know how to swim. Sign your kids up for lessons as soon as they are old enough.
- Swim near a lifeguard and never swim alone.
- Don’t drink alcohol if you are swimming or watching children.
- Use floating toys like water wings and noodles for fun – not for safety. Don’t use them in place of life jackets.
- Watch out for rip currents. A rip current is when the water pulls you away from shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim along the shoreline until you are out of the current, then swim to shore.
Watch children carefully.
- Make sure at least one adult is watching when children are near or in the water.
- Don’t read or use the phone while you are watching young children.
- Watch all children in the water, even if they know how to swim.
- If you have a pool, install 4-sided fencing that’s at least 4 feet high and separates the pool from the house or yard. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward and are out of reach of children.
Check water and weather conditions before going swimming.
- Don’t swim in lakes, rivers, or the ocean after heavy rain. Water is more likely to be polluted after a rain storm.
- Check for signs or warnings about bacteria or other pollution in the water.
- Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning. Strong winds can also be dangerous.
Protect yourself and others from germs in the water.
- Try not to get water in your mouth.
- Make sure everyone is clean before swimming. Shower with soap. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area.
Protect your skin from the sun.
- Wear plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
- Put on more sunscreen every couple of hours and after swimming
This information was provide by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
First Aid? – Yeah, There's an App for That!
Photo: Cyron (Flickr)
American Red Cross First Aid App – Recommendation for families and au pairs.
We are pleased to recommend the The Official American Red Cross First Aid app, which puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the official American Red Cross First Aid app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.
http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app
Au Pair in America is proud to have partnered with the American Red Cross for almost 20 years. Our partnership means au pairs get first rate training at orientation and in their host community. Our multi-pronged approach ensures au pairs are getting the right information about first aid, health and safety and CPR training and is unique within the Au Pair industry. Every au pairs goes through training at orientation with certified American Red Cross trainers, and is able to get CPR certified in their community.
World Cup Update
As APIA bring the world together with the work we do, so does world cup soccer! The World Cup is one of the most followed international sporting events in the world and takes place every 4 years. Many of our au pairs come from the countries represented and take great pride in supporting their national soccer teams.
The tournament kicks off today when Brazil plays Croatia in Sao Paulo. It will mark the 20th edition of the World Cup, which will culminate with the final on July 13 in Rio de Janeiro. The World Cup will feature 32 nations — placed in groups with four teams apiece — and a total of 64 games. Defending champion Spain will have to contend with the likes of Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Italy if it wants to retain its title. The United States has qualified for its seventh straight World Cup and will be looking to get out of a very tough group that features Germany, Portugal and Ghana.
The host nation has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) and will be going for a sixth before a home crowd. Anything short of lifting the trophy will be a tough day for Brazil. To my Brazilian au pairs: good luck, I know you love your soccer!
The groups are as follows:
Group A Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Group B Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group C Colombia, Greece, Cote d’lvoire. Japan
Group D Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Group E Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Group F Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Group G Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Group H Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic
there is a FIFA world cup app they can download to follow the scores and latest news.
For more news and information go to the official FIFA World Cup website
Filmsters Academy Summer Camp Program
The Key School in Annapolis is offering a unique camp to children ages 11 to 18 on the art of film making. In light of our recent volunteer efforts with the Annapolis Film Festival this past year I thought it would be great for host families to know of this amazing opportunity in our community. For more information on signing your children up for these camps please visit their website at http://www.filmstersacademy.com/ or www.filmsters.com. Registration is open now through July 1st but there is limited space.
Annual Host Family Picnic at Ft. McHenry
On Sunday, June 8th, Host Families and their Au Pairs enjoyed lovely weather, as well as international foods, at Ft. McHenry overlooking the Patapsco River. Three different cluster areas were represented – Annapolis, Baltimore and Columbia. While people mingled naturally, they had some fun with the “Speed Dating” game that kept them moving amongst each other at the sound of a whistle every few minutes. 
A lighthearted way to keep things moving! A face painter was on hand for the children so that the Au Pairs were able to also mingle with the families. A great way for families to be introduced to new countries, that they may want to host an Au Pair from in the future.
We believe that participants of the Au Pair in America program are special people – both the host families and the au pairs. They open their hearts and minds to learning about each others cultures and lives. We like to celebrate with them and our picnic is one way we can do this. We’ll see everyone next year, same time (the Sunday before Father’s Day), same location!
Summer Safety Tips for Au Pairs and Families
During the summer months we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water. Here are some good tips.
- Avoid long periods of sun exposure especially between 10.00am and 4.00pm
- Apply sunscreen of at least 15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should be worn on sunny and cloudy days.
- Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face
- Stay hydrated, drink water throughout the day
- Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels
- Never leave children or animals in a car unattended.
- Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Be very clear who is in charge.
- When in the water there should be an adult at arms length from young children at all times
- Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in the water
- Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
- If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
- Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.
Enjoy the summer and be safe!
Encourage your child today!
“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.” – Johan Wolfgang van Goethe
Our kids are experiencing new things every day and making new mistakes every day. But while this is happening, they are growing and maturing right before our eyes. We can help this growth not just with our instruction, but with our encouragement as well. Our encouragement often means more, and is more effective, than the instruction we give. Remember to recognize and encourage your kids’ growth. Here are 5 ways you can do this.
1. Let them make decisions.
Look for opportunities to allow your kids to make a mistake and find a solution to the problem. When they do, tell them what you saw and why it made you proud.
2. Catch your kids doing something good.
Be attentive and catch your kids doing something good. When you see your kids being nice to their siblings, or doing something good that wasn’t required of them, bring it to their attention and do something unexpectedly good for them.
3. Notice hard work.
Notice when your kids work really hard to accomplish something. When you notice your kids giving the extra effort, tell them what that means to you and how it will help them become successful in life. Share examples of how hard work pays off.
4. Allow them to choose their own path.
Give them opportunities to make a decision you would normally make for them, like what to wear or how to spend money. Even if their decision is different than what you would have made, encourage them for being bold enough to make a decision and for being willing to live with the consequences of that decision.
5. Acknowledge their growth.
Watch their attitude and how they no longer get frustrated with certain things. When you catch them not getting as frustrated at the math problem they are struggling with, point it out and make a big deal out of it. Give them a pat on the back and say something really encouraging.
© 2014 All Pro Dad. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.
Making safe driving decisions
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules with your host family, if not talk to them about it
· Ask permission if you need the car to go somewhere other than where you would normally go
· Do not take the car to areas that may not be considered safe, especially in and around cities, ask your host family if you are not sure
· Be careful at night, park in well lit safe places, avoid empty looking car parks and indoor garages
· Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving
· Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so they can help you
Au Pairs – get creative and represent your country flag!!
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GLOBAL AWARENESS PRESENTS FLAG DAY CONTEST!! |
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WIN A GIFT CARD! June 14 is Flag Day! Create your version of your country’s flag. You can use any materials you like to represent your flag. To see previous entries, look here! 3 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN! You can submit a flag by yourself or with friends. You can also do a CLUSTER projet! All Entires MUST include: Name Country Counselor All Entries MUST be received by June 10 Winners Will be Announced on June 14 at |
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| For more information, visit www.globalawareness.com. Email us at gaapia@gmail.com. Global Awareness is a program of Au Pair in America. |
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Au Pair in America |