Host Family Info
Camp Au Pair – Bugs & Butterflies
Next week’s Camp Au Pair theme will be Bugs & Butterflies. More than 100 crafts, recipes, and activities related to all kinds of bugs, insects, butterflies, and spiders can be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Bugs & Butterflies pinboard. Field Trips can be an excellent way for kids to learn and have Read More
Camp Au Pair – Under the Sea
In honor of Shark Week (see below), next week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Under the Sea. Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to creatures who live under the sea can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Under the Sea pinboard. Webcams – Read More
Social Distancing: Free Virtual Escape Rooms
Libraries may be closed due to COVID-19, but many librarians are coming up with creative ideas to keep people entertained and promote literacy. One of those creative ideas is free virtual escape rooms. With a variety of themes, some may be fun to do on your own, others as activities with the kids. Sydney Krawiec, Read More
Making Thanksgiving Memories Together
Thanksgiving is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year in the United States. It started as a harvest festival and has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789. The most important part of Thanksgiving for American families is to spend family time together. “My favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Firstly, Read More
Three Ways for Au Pairs to Stay Red Cross Ready
Being knowledgeable in basic first aid and CPR is important for au pairs (and anyone else caring for children). Au Pair in America’s commitment to infant/child safety begins before au pairs arrive to the U.S., with pre-arrival training and continue throughout the au pair year. #1 Training At Orientation Our orientation includes seminars by American Red Cross Read More
Back to School Planning
Back to school time is here. This can mean changes to the au pair schedule and possibly to the duties. It is very important to communicate these changes to avoid problems. Here is a list of topics to consider discussing: Au pair’s work schedule The children’s school and activity schedules Where the children get dropped Read More
10 Tips for Summer Safety
Remember to bring along drinks, especially water. Try to get children to drink water every 20 minutes, when they are outside in hot weather. Pay attention to surfaces that can be hot against children’s skin, such as metal slides and other playground equipment in the sun. Safety around water is particularly important. A child can Read More
Avoiding Homesickness this Holiday Season
Homesickness can be a problem during the holidays, even if it hasn’t been at any other time of the year. Au pairs often miss their friends and family, familiar places and their own traditions and customs. The holiday activities in the United States seem, and may actually be, different just at a time when an Read More
5 Thanksgiving Tips for Au Pairs & Host Parents
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. Even though a few other countries also celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s still considered a uniquely American holiday, one that the au pairs look forward to experiencing. You can learn more about it here. “I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with my host family. It was as Read More
Preventing Dehydration in Hot Weather
Dehydration means that the body lacks the necessary amount of fluid. Infants and small children are more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose relatively more fluid quickly. Here are some steps to take to make sure children remain hydrated in the summer months: Encourage your child to drink Read More
Holiday & Vacation Reminders
“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth Holidays and vacations are a great opportunity to rest, recharge and explore the U.S. Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations. Holidays Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays. Each Read More
Handling Expenses
Host parents often ask for suggestions on how best to handle common expenses that occur as au pairs are caring for the children. Miscellaneous Expenses There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up. Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up Read More
Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law (Effective October 1, 2012) • Every child under 8 years old must ride in an appropriate child restraint* unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller. • Every child from 8 to 16 years old who is not secured in a child restraint must be secured in a Read More
Transitioning to a new au pair
Full version is at http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/host_family_tips/transtioning.asp> Here are some things to think about which might help everyone in your household prepare for your au pair’s departure: ~Young children perceive time differently than adults. Therefore, your preparation for the departure should not begin too far in advance. ~Discuss the possibility of staying in touch with letters, Read More
August 15 Celebrate the Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
In 1870 the last spike was nailed to complete the coast-to-coast railroad. This train track helped to open up the western area of the US to development. Trains still hold a fascination – whether it is Thomas the Tank, Brio or electric trains, children love to build tracks. Baltimore has a wonderful Train Museum. Check Read More