Tag Archives: host families

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 a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for these types of expenses. Others give their au pair a prepaid debit card for this purpose. Below are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards 

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: to and from classes, cluster meetings and when driving the kids.

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Photo: Andrea Travillian

First Aid? – Yeah, There's an App for That!

Photo: Cyron (Flickr)

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.

Annual Host Family Picnic at Ft. McHenry

DSC_0512On 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. DSC_0527 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.

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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!

Multi-cluster host family event was a big success!

DSC_0590Thank you SO much for coming out to our Multi-cluster picnic yesterday at Ft. McHenry. The food was fantastic, the kids had a blast, the face painting was incredible and the weather turned out to be lovely!  Thanks to all our au pairs and host families who came out and made this event turn out so wonderfully!

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Good Family time at the Piney Orchard Street Festival

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Despite warnings of bad weather it turned out to be a fantastic day for the Piney Orchard Street Festival on Saturday, May 11th.  Au pairs were on hand to answer questions about their experience as an au pair and to offer tips to interested host families on how to have a successful year and what to expect.  Children were able to make a Mother’s Day card and get their faces painted.  We were right next to the Piney Orchard Elementary School table, the rock climbing wall and the dunking booth … lots of activity for the children and the parents!  Good thing the sun came out and warmed us up from all the splashing that took place next to us!