Author Archives: Andrea McMains

Tornado Safety For Au pairs and Host Children

Tornado Safety For Au pairs and Host Children

Use the guide below to discuss tornado safety with your host family. Request a meeting to discuss where you would go inside their home and what they expect from you when a warning or a watch is given in your area.

What you need to know about Tornadoes:

What is a Tornado?

tornadoes-5306

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending between, and in contact with, a cloud and the surface of the earth. Tornadoes are generally spawned by thunderstorms, though they have been known to occur without the presence of lightning. The stronger tornadoes attain an awe-inspiring intensity, with wind speeds that exceed 200 mph and in extreme cases may approach 300 mph.

The United States has the highest incidence of tornadoes worldwide, with about 1,000 occurring every year. Tornadoes touch down in the Atlanta area each year.

According to Stu Ostro, a Senior Weather Specialist at The Weather Channel, this is due to the unique geography that brings together polar air from Canada, tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico, and dry air from the Southwest to clash in the middle of the country, producing thunderstorms and the tornadoes they spawn.

Tornadoes can come one at a time, or in clusters, and they can vary greatly in length, width, direction of travel, and speed. They can leave a path 50 yards wide or over a mile wide. They may touch down for only a matter of seconds or remain in contact with the ground for over an hour.

How do I know if a tornado will touch down where I live?

The National Weather Service broadcasts severe weather conditions on radio, TV, or on phone apps.   Every host family should have a weather alert app on the  Au Pair phone or another way to know about dangerous weather in their area.  Ask your host parents to make sure you have this app. Some areas of Atlanta have outside warning sirens. This is a very loud siren sound outside. The siren is activated when a tornado has been sighted in a specific area.

iWit_FtWorthClouds_980x551

How does an au pair in your home know there is a watch or warning?

A tornado WATCH means conditions are right for a tornado to occur.  A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted in the posted area or is visible on radar.  The location of the sighting is normally given along with its projected movement.

Become familiar with your specific area. What part of Atlanta do you live?  North Forsyth or East Cobb what is the area called? What is the county that you live in? What is the closest major highway or street?  During a tornado warning, listen out for info about your area on television or through Alexa, Siri, or on your phone app.

A Tornado watch has been issued. What Do I do?

723586main1_GOES-20130130-1825UTC-6_980x551satellite picture of a tornado

FOR TORNADO WATCHES:

Stay tuned to a local radio or television station or your phone app.  Local news stations on CBS, ABC, and NBC all have very sophisticated technology used by the weather person to give information about the potential for a tornado in a specific area. The technology can pinpoint the exact street that a tornado watch or warning is affecting.  Call your host parents for advice about picking up children who are not at home.

Bring all children inside.

DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A TREE OUTSIDE.

Bring Pets to their safe place.

Secure any loose objects outdoors, or move them inside

Survey local structures for the most suitable shelter

Stay in communication with the host parents to help you decide if the warning will become more serious.    Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms. Look for the following danger signs:

Dark, often greenish sky

Large hail

A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)

Loud roar, similar to a freight train.

A Warning Is Issued. What Do I need to do?

When a tornado warning has been issued, you may have very little time to prepare. How you respond now is critical. OBEY ADVISORIES PROMPTLY! ACT QUICKLY!

In A Frame Home

Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home (basement or storm cellar). If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room, or a closet. Keep away from all windows.

Make sure you have a portable radio for information while you are in the safe room. Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass. Instruct the children to do the same. If you have a bicycle helmet this is ideal!  You can cover yourself with a mattress, but don’t waste time moving mattresses around.

Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier.

Multiple tornadoes can emerge from the same storm.

If a tornado has hit your area,  do not go out until officials say it is safe. Most injuries from tornadoes occur due to flying debris or down gas or electric connections.

Keep yourself and the children calm. Sing or talk to keep young children distracted. The storm will pass by soon!

If you are outside:

Try to get inside and seek out a small protected space with no windows.

Avoid large-span roof areas such as school gymnasiums, arenas, or shopping malls.

If no inside protection is available, get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.

Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.

If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands

If you cannot get inside a car, crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head and neck with your arms or a piece of clothing.

Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

If you are in a car:

Ideally, you should avoid driving when tornadoes or other kinds of dangerous weather threaten you, as a vehicle is a very unsafe place to be. If, however, this is not possible, stay as calm as possible, and assess the situation.

The best choice is to take shelter immediately in a nearby building.

If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.

If no building is near, one option might be to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area that is of sufficient depth to provide protection from the wind If you do so, beware of water runoff from heavy rain that could pose a hazard, get as far away from the vehicle as possible, and shield your head from flying debris.

Do not leave a building to attempt to “escape” a tornado.

If you are already in a sturdy building, do not get in a vehicle to try to outrun a tornado.

This information was obtained from a website. For more information, go to:  http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

 

Halloween in the USA!

Halloween in the USA!            Happy_halloween_design_background

Halloween, the last day of October, has a special significance for children, who dress in funny or ghostly costumes and knock on neighborhood doors shouting “Trick or Treat!” Pirates and princesses, ghosts and witches all hold bags open to catch the candy or other goodies that the neighbors drop in.

Since the 800’s November 1st is a religious holiday known as All Saints’ Day. The Mass that was said on this day was called Allhallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hallow e’en, or Halloween. Like some other American celebrations, its origins lie in both pre-Christian and Christian customs.

Today school dances and neighborhood parties called “block parties” are popular among young and old alike. More and more adults celebrate Halloween. They dress up as historical or political figures and go to masquerade parties. In larger cities, costumed children and their parents gather at shopping malls early in the evening. Stores and businesses give parties with games and treats for the children. Teenagers enjoy costume dances at their schools and the more outrageous the costume the better! Certain pranks such as soaping car windows and tipping over garbage cans are expected. But partying and pranks are not the only things that Halloweeners enjoy doing. Some collect money to buy food and medicine for needy children around the world.

Symbols of Halloween

Halloween originated as a celebration connected with evil spirits. Witches flying on broomsticks with black cats, ghosts, goblins and skeletons have all evolved as symbols of Halloween. They are popular trick-or-treat costumes and decorations for greeting cards and windows. Black is one of the traditional Halloween colors, probably because Halloween festivals and traditions took place at night. In the weeks before October 31, Americans decorate windows of houses and schools with silhouettes of witches and black cats.

 

Pumpkins are also a symbol of Halloween. The pumpkin is an orange-colored squash, and orange has become the other traditional Halloween color. Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns is a Halloween custom also dating back to Ireland. A legend grew up about a man named Jack who was so stingy that he was not allowed into heaven when he died, because he was a miser. He couldn’t enter hell either because he had played jokes on the devil. As a result, Jack had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day. The Irish people carved scary faces out of turnips, beets or potatoes representing “Jack of the Lantern,” or jack-o’-lantern. When the Irish brought their customs to the United States, they carved faces on pumpkins because in the autumn they were more plentiful than turnips. Today jack-o’-lanterns in the windows of a house on Halloween night let costumed children know that there are

goodies waiting if they knock and say “Trick or Treat!”   halloween buckets        

Information obtained: http://usa.usembassy.de/holidays-halloween.htm

Coursera can be a great resource for your educational requirements.

In-person classes are the BEST way to achieve your State Department Mandated Educational hours. However, if you cannot find a course that fits your schedule or is affordable, an online class could be helpful. Special consideration can be given in some situations. Talk to your community counselor before registering for any online class.

Tips for using Coursera to obtain your educational requirement

You can take any online course from a USA-accredited college, university or technical school.

Google, Academy of Sports Medicine, IBM and Meta are examples of companies and institutions that are NOT accredited in the University system and cannot be used for your educational requirements. Many private companies will call themselves a ” college”. Please verify with your LCC that the school is accredited in the University system and accepted by the State Dept.

If you are interested in a Coursera course you can search through the options of the subject you are interested in. Each course will offer a different number of hours.

You must obtain 72 hours. Scroll to see the hours the class provides. Coursera charges a small fee per month OR for the “free” classes the certificate will cost approximately 49.00.

A certificate is necessary. Make an account with Coursera to have access to your certificate.

This should be emailed as a PDF to your LCC. Please don’t include in the body of the email. No texts will be accepted.

Most Au Pair will finish the course much quicker than is designated by Coursera. The Coursera classes are self-paced. This means that you can take them any time you have time.

You must get 72 hours.

You can only take one online course per semester. If the course doesn’t offer all 72 hours, you will need to wait to take another course in the next semester after 3 months. There is a spring, summer, fall, and winter semester. If you submit two certificates dated in the same semester, only one can be used!!!!!!

Your education must be finished 6 weeks before your term ends.

BE CAREFUL TO LOOK at the name of the college. Not all on Coursera are from USA colleges. BEFORE starting a class—send the link to your LCC to confirm it will meet the requirements.

Personal Enrichment:

Don’t know what career you want to have? 67 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/career-discovery

Want to be more successful?

70 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/professional-success-skills

Marketing:

Social Media Marketing: 40 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/social-media-marketing

160 hours Digital Marketing: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/digital-marketing?

Business:

Business Foundations Specialization 65 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/wharton-business-foundations

120 hours Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Specialization

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/innovation-creativity-entrepreneurship

Human Resources 80 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/human-resource-management

Spanish:

80 hours https://www.coursera.org/specializations/learn-spanish

Psychology:

82 hours Foundations of Positive Psychology https://www.coursera.org/specializations/positivepsychology?

37 hours Social Psychology https://www.coursera.org/learn/social-psychology

40 hours Abnormal Psychology https://www.coursera.org/specializations/abnormal-psychology

English Language:

160 hours Teaching English to non-English speakers. https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/arizona-state-university-tesol

60 hours Introduction to Teaching English Learners Specialization https://www.coursera.org/specializations/intro-to-teaching-english-learners

80 hours Advanced Grammar and Punctuation https://www.coursera.org/specializations/advanced-grammar-punctuation

120 hours Business English Communication Skills https://www.coursera.org/specializations/english-for-business?

Health and Nutrition:

24 hours- Food Sustainability and Mindful Eating. https://www.coursera.org/specializations/food-sustainability-mindful-eating-healthy-cooking

80 hours Heathy Sustainable food and products. https://www.coursera.org/specializations/healthy-sustainable-foods-products

70 hours Essentials of Global Health. https://www.coursera.org/learn/essentials-global-health

20 hours Feeding the World https://www.coursera.org/learn/feedingtheworld

53 hours Engineering Health intro to Yoga and physiology https://www.coursera.org/learn/engineering-health-yoga-physiology?

80 hours Integrative Health and Medicine. https://www.coursera.org/specializations/integrative-health-and-medicine

Music 40 hours each course. Can only take one per semester!! https://www.coursera.org/specializations/songwriting#courses https://www.coursera.org/specializations/music-business https://www.coursera.org/specializations/musicianship-specialization

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 off and picked up and who will be doing this
  • What to do if a child is staying home sick, late to school, does not get off the bus (if they are supposed to)
  • Driving laws regarding stopping for school buses
  • How to tell if school has been canceled or delayed for bad weather
  • Add the au pair to your list of people allowed to pick up the kids from school and explain the process
  • What to pack for lunch
  • The routine after school (do they have free time before starting homework, what to give for a snack, any chores, where do they put their backpacks & lunchboxes)
  • How to communicate about what’s going on at school. Your Kids in Care logbook from Au Pair in America can be a great two-way communication tool for keeping track of schedules, afterschool activities and day to day info that needs to be transferred between host parents and au pair.
  • If your au pair will be the one going through the children’s backpack and helping with homework, consider designating an area for putting things that need to be read and/or signed by parents.

Here are some Printable Fill-in-the-Blank School Notes for parents. You can print these out and have them ready for times when the kids are absent, late, have an early dismissal or you need to give permission for something.

Check out Au Pair in America’s Pinterest School Tips and Ideas pinboard for things like organization ideas, back to school traditions, printable lunch box notes, and fun lunch recipes.

 

Southern Traditions for Fourth of July Celebrations!

 

Happy Fourth of July!

No other holiday can provide such a uniquely American experience. Being in the USA on Fourth of July can be wonderful and exciting anywhere in the USA. Search out experiences that you can remember long after this Fourth of July is over.

Here in the south, experience The Fourth with our southern traditions!!

Here are a couple of things you will want to accomplish:

Follow the Peachtree Road Racepeachtree race

Eat Watermelon outside and don’t worry if it drips down your arm!eating watermelon

See fireworks. Google closest Fourth of July fireworks to me. There will be HUGE fireworks in every city. Google, “Fourth of July fireworks” near me.”

fireworks

Hold a sparkler.

sparkler

Have a picnic with lots of friends.

picnic

Sit on a porch decorated with red, white and blue bunting and drink lemonade.

house with bunting

Grill something good to eat in the backyard!

https://www.loveandlemons.com/grilled-corn-on-the-cob

the Ask an American what the Fourth of July means to them.

natiospridethankyousoldiers2

Fourth of July celebrates our pride in the USA and our respect for the men and women who have fought and given of themselves to protect what we value most, our freedom.

Enjoy the Fourth of July!

What to do if an Au Pair is pulled over by a Police Officer

Pull over as soon as possible. As soon as you even think that you might be the one that the highway patrol car is after, pull over. This shows that you have proper respect for emergency vehicles and understand the law. Pulling over doesn’t necessarily mean to the officer that you’re admitting guilt. Police officers in the USA will be in marked cars and will have the proper uniform on. The officer will not ask for money at the time you are pulled over. You will receive a ticket with the information about how to pay this through the mail. An Office can decide to not issue a ticket with a fine and could instead give a “warning” ticket.DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR.  Roll your window down and wait for the officer to walk to the window.

Always pull over to the right. Always pull over on the right side of the roadway. On divided highways, signal and safely move over to the far right lane, and then to the shoulder. When you come to a complete stop, choose a section of roadway that has a full shoulder, without guardrails if possible. Pulling over on the left may obstruct traffic, and pulling over next to a guardrail may make it difficult for the officer to safely approach your car. It’s ok to drive a little distance to find a good, safe place to pull over. SLOW DOWN, put your right blinker on, and SLOWLY move to next safe place.

Know where your paperwork is. Normally, when a police officer first pulls you over, he/she will ask for your license, registration, and insurance. Keep these and the following documents in all of the cars you will be driving. Let the police office know that your documents are in the glove compartment. Ask for permission to get them or ask the police office to get them if he would prefer to do it himself. An au pair will need the following items handy at all times in every glove compartment in every car driven.

1. You need a copy of your passport, not the original.

2. You need a copy of your current DS-2019 document. This is especially important if you are a Year 2 au pair.

3. Your international Driver’s license if you have one.

5. Your medical insurance card information with host family’s address.

6. Your host family car insurance information. It is illegal to drive without proof of car insurance in the USA.

7. YOUR Participation letter printed from your AP portal. Be prepared to explain your role as an Au Pair and that you are here on a J-1 visa for your first year or for an extension term.

Make the officer feel safe. Turn your dome light on at night. Always keep your hands in plain sight. Don’t make any sudden movements. Roll your window down all the way. STAY in the car. Use common sense and don’t put the officer in an uncomfortable situation.

Let the officer talk first. Don’t blurt out things that could incriminate you. Keep your calm, even if you’re upset about being stopped. Don’t volunteer information, like how fast you thought you were going. The officer may not be pulling you over for what you think he is. Let him talk to you first. React kindly and you may have more of a chance to be sent on your way without a ticket.

Don’t argue with the officer. Challenging the officer is a recipe for disaster and likely means that you will be written up for the full offense, and the officer will be less likely to opt for a compromise in court. If you are issued a ticket and wish to contest it, set a date in court.

If you are ticketed: Tell your host family immediately. Not telling your host family could result in a rematch. Call the number on the ticket and find out if you will need to appear in person in court or if you should send a check through the mail. Make copies of the ticket and save any future receipts of payment. Ask for assistance from your host family to properly send the payment in the mail.

adapted from :

TCC Tip: Hints for Speeders

What to do when you’re pulled over for speeding

by Bengt Halvorson (2006-06-26)

More tips and information about driving can be found at www.thecarconnection.com/shoppers/drivintipsS172.html

Are You Thinking Of Extending Your Au pair Year?

Extension Year Tips

Choosing to extend is a great choice! It does require some planning and thought before you decide. These facts will be helpful in your decision-making process. Call or email your counselor, if you need help making the right choice.

The process begins with the Au Pair and host family receiving an email at the 8th month. The link to extend together will be on the host family portal. Once the host family presses the link to match, the link will appear on the Au Pair portal. If the decision to extend with a different family is made, the Au Pair will hit the link on the Au Pair portal to extend with a different family. The current family will receive an email with a request to give a reference that will appear on the extension application. This reference provides info about how many children and how many hours of childcare is week was provided, and if the Au Pair received a ticket or had an accident while driving.  This link and email cannot arrive earlier than exactly your 8th month.

  • 72 hours of education must be completed at the time of the request to extend.
  • Certificates or documents showing the completed hours must be emailed to the community counselor.
  • Please do not text pictures. Email the completion letter or certificate as a PDF attachment to your CC.
  • All education hours must be completed 30 days before the end of the first term.    The request to extend and all documents will be filed one month before the end of the first year. THIS IS FIRM. THE STATE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY EXTENSION REQUEST IF THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT HAS NOT BEEN MET.
  • To extend with a different family, the education hours must be finished by the 8th month to ensure enough time to interview and find a new family. The interview process cannot start until proof of education is provided. 
  • The options for extension are for  6, 9 or 12 months.
  • It is more difficult to find a second-year match with a 6 month extension. 
  • Once the extension begins. it is not possible stay longer. An Au Pair who chooses 6 months cannot request to extend for a longer period. 
  • It is possible to leave earlier than the DS end date, If at least one month’s notice is given to the host family and CC. For example, if the extension time was 12 months, but the Au Pair decided to leave at 10 months, the family would need to know at the 9th month, and the Au Pair would receive the free flight home.
  • If at least one month’s notice is not given, The Au Pair would be required to purchase their own flight home.
  • If the second term is not fully completed, the Au Pair is not eligible for a travel month. The Au Pair will be expected to return home at the end of the one-month notice.
  • Vacation time should be completed at the time a request to return home is made.
  • Vacation time can be discussed on a case by case basis with the CC. 
  • Au Pairs who successfully complete the amount of time on the DS designated for the second year are eligible for a travel month. 
  • The travel month will be moved to the end of the second term. The extension term will begin the day after the first year ends.
  • In the second year there are 11 days of vacation for 12 months, and a 9-month extension. For 6 months the vacation is 5.5 days.
  • There is no guarantee that a match will be made for a second term. Many au pairs do not make a match and return home.
  • Au Pairs who request special consideration for the schedule or stipend, or limit the number of children, including to not work on the weekend, may find it more difficult to make a match. 
  • Au Pairs who only want a specific location may find it difficult to make a match. 
  • If the Au Pair experienced a rematch in the first term, It’s a good idea to write about the reason in the extension application.
  • If the Au Pair had an accident or traffic ticket, it is a good idea to write about what happened and to note that full responsibility was taken by the Au Pair to complete this process.
  • Once the Au Pair accepts a match with a second-term family, this decision should be honored. It is not possible to cannot change the mind and choose another family that calls later. Honor the commitment that is made.
  • Deciding to stay with the current family can work well. Sometimes, there are some things that an Au Pair will want to change about their experience. Talk with the host family to see if they are willing to make the changes needed to stay a second term!
  • It is possible to negotiate for a different experience in the second year with the current family. 
  • Many au pairs underestimate the difficulty of getting re-adjusted in a new city. It is starting over in a new place with a new family and new host kids.  They will not have friends. They will not know the way around. The host family will be new and strange at first. The host children will be new. The host kids may not accept the new Au Pair warmly at first.  All the comforts of the current situation will be gone. The Au Pair will be starting over!
  • Staying in the same family and location enables an Au Pair to quickly achieve goals that may have been missed in the first term. It’s possible to take an in-person class or improve English or to travel more. Without the issue of getting acclimated, goals can quickly be addressed.  
  • The second term in a new city can be exciting. There is an opportunity to make new friends, see a new city and learn another way of life here in the USA!
  • The education requirement still applies in the second year. Standard au pairs will have a $250.00 education allowance towards completing 36 hours of education in a 6 month extension.   $500.00 education allowance is given towards a nine and twelve-month extension to achieve least 72 hours of education.
  •  Education requirements are a mandatory Department of State rule. If the education requirement is not made, a completion certificate will not be provided. And, APIA must explain why the Au Pair did not meet this important rule. 
  • The transfer to the new second-term family is on the last day of your contract. You may not join them earlier or later than this date. This is very strictly followed. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • APIA will pay for the flight to the new host family’s location. Transfers to the airport and the cost of luggage are the responsibility of the Au Pair. 
  • If an Au Pair had the upgraded insurance policy, they must pay the fee to upgrade the policy in their second term. The insurance has to be the same. 
  • The USA driver’s license will need to be renewed after a new DS-2019 form is issued with the extended dates on it. 
  • An Au Pair will need to get the license for the State where the new host lives. The new CC can best explain the process to exchange the driver’s  license for the new State’s license with your new address.
  • The address on the DS must be the place that the Au Pair lives. The new family’s address will not be able to appear on the DS until the Au pair takes residence in the new location. A link will be provided to request a new DS with the updated address on it. 
  • Travel outside the country is not be possible in your second term. Some islands around the USA may be allowed. There is a process that must be completed in order to travel outside the USA in the second term (with or without a host family)
  • 1. Read the travel information about second term travel outside the USA on the APIA website and follow the instructions for a travel signature. A visa may be needed to enter another country. The Passport should be valid for any travel. 
  • 2. Email Fiorella at fciralli@aifs.com, if there are questions about travel in the second term. http://www.aupairinamerica./resources/travel_and_flights/travel_visa.asp#3
  • The actual visa will expire at the end of your one-year term. However, the white paper in the passport ( the DS-2019 form) is the document that gives a legal reason to be in the USA.  A new DS-2019 form will be issued  from the State Department. It is not necessary to return home to renew the visa, This is risky and may prevent an Au pair from re-entering the USA. 
  • Some Au Pairs want to renew their visa, due to the travel plans of their host family. Renewing the visa is risky because the home government may not agree to grant another visa. IN THIS CASE, the Au Pair would not be allowed to return to the USA to finish the first term. The visa must be valid to re-enter. It takes a lot of planning and organization to save vacation days until the end of the term in a plan to return home to get a new visa. This process may take 2-3 weeks or longer in busy travel seasons. An Au Pair would need to return to the USA at least four weeks before their current visa expires. The host family is responsible for paying the Au pair stipend each week, even if   the Au pair goes home on vacation. Because of this, they may not agree to have an absent for several weeks. The Au Pair must also pay for the flight back home.
  • There is a lot to think about before returning home to renew a visa ! Ask your counselor for advice.
  • Ask your counselor for advice before making the important decision to extend the Au Pair term! 

Vacation and Holidays for the Au Pair.

Planning ahead can really make a dream vacation here in the USA possible.  Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays. If a family chooses to give time off, it can be a nice reward for an Au pair!
  • Each host family will make different arrangements for holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should not make plans for holidays without checking with their host family first.
  • Start a discussion about which holidays might be good to coordinate a weekend off for a mini-vacation. Google National holidays for the USA.

Vacations

  • An Au pair earns 11 days of paid vacation during her year.
  • Splitting up the 11 days of vacation time into two separate vacations can be useful. Taking 5 days of vacation in the first 6 months- Mon-Fri and using a weekend off for the month will give a 7 day vacation. This can be repeated in the last half of the year. This leaves 1 vacation day to use. This can be coordinated with a holiday and your weekend off for the month for another mini vacation.
  • Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon before it is taken.
  • All vacations should be preplanned (at least 4-12 weeks in advance.) This can allow time to coordinate the au pair’s weekend off for the month and her vacation days.
  • 12 weeks lead time is suggested if An Au Pair is planning on using a lot of vacation days altogether to return home. Taking more than one week away is more complicated for  the host to arrange for another source of childcare. The DS should be signed for travel to return to a home country. All travel should be completed 45 days before the end of the J-1 visa.
  • All au pairs’ friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved before purchasing flight tickets. Some host families will not be comfortable with guests visiting during work hours. It might be best to coordinate the Au Pair’s vacation with the guests’ plans to visit.
  • If an Au Pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working. A schedule is necessary for work during the host family’s vacation. Off time should be clearly known. Responsibilities for childcare change on a vacation. It’s good to ask how this will look in a different environment.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family must pay for her transportation, lodging, and meals. Her Lodging should ensure her privacy.
  • Meals and activities during time off during the host family’s vacation are the responsibility of the Au Pair ( just like at home).
  • The traveling time for a car ride or air flight would not be counted in the schedule unless the Au Pair is in charge of the children during this time. Au Pairs who work together with a family to ensure that the children are safe and happy during the hectic travel moments are really appreciated!
  • An Au Pair cannot be away from the host family’s primary residence for longer than 3 weeks.
  • Year 2 Au Pairs cannot travel internationally except for Canada, Mexico, and some adjacent Caribbean islands. The specific islands  allowed are listed on the Automatic revalidation checklist below.

Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) before she departs from the US. Even if the travel is to their home country. This can take up to 4 weeks to process. A visitor’s visa may also be needed for the country you are visiting. The ability to re-enter the USA is up to the border agent. APIA has no control over this decision, even with a travel signature.

More information about international travel may be found with these resources:

Travel Validation Form

Year 1 International Travel Checklist

Year 2 International Travel Checklist

Automatic Revalidation Checklist

Tips for understanding how holiday time can affect an Au pair.

Holiday Season in the USA will be a very special time for your family and Au pair.  It can also be a time when the Au Pair may need a little extra support. Consider these tips:

                                               

  • Missing Home
Certain people and places are missed and our traditions and activities seem “different” right at a time when an Au Pair would welcome something familiar. My observation has been that an Au
Pair’s emotions are close to the surface during the holidays. The enormity of this year away from
home hits her and sometimes throws her into a self-protective mode. You can help her through
this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your specific family activities will be (when
the candles will be lit, the stockings hung, the gifts exchanged, the meals prepared and eaten, the
relatives arriving, etc.) An especially thoughtful touch is to ask her if she has any favorite holiday foods or
traditions that could be incorporated into your celebration.
  • What are your expectations?       
Talk to your Au Pair specifically about what has to be accomplished. This will help to get her involved and interested. Remember her mother has probably taken this responsibility in previous years so don’t expect her to just “know” what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed-upon assignments, make her feel a part of things and let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.
  • Discuss the change in routine and roles 
The parents are home and this is unsettling to the children as well as to the Au Pair. Some different work expectations may be needed since the kids may prefer to hover around the parents. This can make an Au Pair feel unwanted and unsure of what is expected of her. If she is thrown off balance she may not see other things she can do instead of the usual. The high emotions and energy of the kids at this time of year seem like craziness to her. Assure her that things are temporary and will be back to normal soon! Suggest things she can
do to help and encourage her to roll with the punches and just enjoy the general fuss. And host parents need to remember that no matter how stressful those long holiday days are, the rules of how many hours an Au pair can work are mandated by the State Department. No Au pair is allowed to work more than 10 hours each day or left in sole charge of the children for more than 10 hours.
  • Only in America!
The number of gifts given to the children and the excesses we enjoy with gifts, food, and decorations are overwhelming to most Au Pairs. This often causes them to withdraw as they attempt to catch their breath and to evaluate the differences.
  • New Year’s Eve in the USA
Socially you should remember the holidays are a time when Au Pairs want, and need, to be with their friends. This helps their survival mechanism when they are missing old friends back home. New Year’s Eve, especially in America, is a special occasion to an Au Pair so open communication is very important as you decide on New Year’s Eve plans. If possible, use a different babysitter on this important night for her.

Halloween Safety Tips For Au Pairs.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Safety is a very important issue for Halloween. For Au Pairs some issues may not have been encountered before. Here are some reminders to help make this holiday fun and safe.
This is the most popular holiday for children who are able to go from door to door showing off their choice of costume for this year, and collecting candy from the neighbors.
Things to consider:
-Children should always be supervised by an adult when going “Trick or Treating”.
-Small children should not be allowed to run ahead or behind the Au Pair. Talk to the host parents to find out if holding the child’s hand is necessary.
-Only go to those homes that are known in the neighborhood to be safe participants.
-Never let a child go inside the neighbor’s home unless you know the person.
Halloween
-Always check the candy before letting the children eat it. Make sure that anything that has been unwrapped, homemade or just does not look safe is thrown away. Ask host parents to assist with deciding about the safety of a particular candy.
–When driving please slow down, as there will be a lot of children out in the dark. They may not be visible.
-Talk to the children about safety during Halloween. (crossing the street, talking to strangers, and waiting until their candy is checked before they eat it).
-Children may want to use a flashlight to see in the dark, this is also a good way for them to be seen by drivers. BE prepared with flashlights and batteries.
Have a reflective pin, necklace or headpiece so that the children can be seen by drivers.
-If you have any safety concerns, talk to the parents.
-Ask the parents about rules for candy consumption for the children. Most parents will not want their children to gorge themselves with a lot of candy at one time. Usually, parents will let children have a couple of pieces a day.
-Enjoy yourself. Halloween is a fun holiday for adults too! You may want to dress up with the children.
Here’s how to make a costume!
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g2750/easy-last-minute-halloween-costumes-diy/?slide=71
Don’t forget to take lots of photos to share with our cluster.
Written by ALowery ATE cluster GA.

Halloween