Tag Archives: aupair duties

Going Unplugged During Work Hours?

Going Unplugged During Work Hours

Posted by Heike on Sep 25, 2013 No Comments
Thanks to Heike, community counselor in Boston, for a thought provoking article!
 
Au Pairs – Imagine for a moment that you went to the hospital and you were in the care of doctors and nurses.  How would you feel if those doctors and nurses who were there to care for you were more interested in texting or using their personal computer than caring for you?  How would that make you feel, about yourself and about them?  Would you think that you were getting the treatment you deserved?  Would you feel like paying the bill after your stay?

Life as an au pair, it is a fine balance between employee and family member. You live with your host family and participate with them as a member of the family, but you also have clear responsibilities as a childcare provider. Being a childcare provider is truly one of the most important jobs I can think of, because you are helping to shape our next generation.  What message are you sending them when you would rather interact with a computer than with them? How will they feel about themselves and about you? Children feel as though everything is about them. They will see this as a rejection of them and they will be more likely to act out.

It also poses a safety concern when you are not paying enough attention to the children in your care.  Accidents happen, but when an adult care giver is close by and appropriately supervising the chances of a major injury dramatically reduce.

During work hours, the following would not be considered acceptable:
-Texting
-Talking to friends on the phone
-Chatting with friends online
-Using Skype or Facetime
-IMing
-Emailing
-Updating your status on Facebook
-Using Orkut, Google+, Studivz, SiempreGente or any other social media site
-Watching videos on YouTube (even my really fabulous ones)
-Tweeting on your Twitter
-Uploading photos on Instragram or Vine
-Anything else on the computer unless it is going to Nickjr.com together with your host children

Think about this — even if you work 45 hours a week, that leaves you 123 hours per week for all of that other stuff, or about 70 hours (if you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night.)

Host Parents – You need to be clear about what you consider acceptable during work hours to avoid misunderstandings.  Also, please understand that you are dealing with a new generation of people who are very accustomed to being plugged in at all times.  Their intention is not to be rude, they don’t necessarily realize how their actions will be perceived.  Please use this information as an opportunity to begin a dialogue on the issue.

How to get your Georgia Driver's License

Au pair Information

How to Obtain a Georgia Driver’s License

In July of 2012 the State of Georgia passed new laws regarding Driver’s License for au pairs. The new law resulted from the federal requirements of the Real ID Act. All non US citizens who are present in the state for more than thirty days are required to obtain a Class C Driver’s License. The exam, including a road’s test will be needed. Please refer to www.dds.ga.gov for a copy of the driver’s manual and access to a practice test.  A program verification letter obtain through the community counselor is also needed.

All locations of the DDS do not offer a first issuance of the license. Check the website to find a location closest to you. All are open Tuesday – Friday 8:00-6:00 and Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon.

These are the locations close to our cluster that are the least busy. Sandy Springs and Norcross locations are noted to be very busy with long waiting times.

Canton right off 575 behind library- Brown Industrial Parkway, Suite 200 Canton GA. 30114

Cumming 400 Aquatic Circle Cumming GA. 30040

Marietta North Cobb 2800 Canton Rd Piedmont Village Shopping Center Marietta GA. 30066

Class C Driver’s License220

Basic Requirements

  1. Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  2. Pass Knowledge Exam.
  3. Pass Road Skills Test.
  4. Pass Vision Exam.

Documents Required

  1. Documentation showing your identity, residential address, full social security number ( An au pair must be in the USA for ten days before a SS# can be requested.), and U.S. citizenship or proof of lawful presence in the United States. Click here for more information.

Two forms of proof of residential address are required.

Recommended:

A bank statement with au pair name and the host family address. The statement must be dated the same month that you are getting your license.

A letter from the au pair insurance company with au pair name and the host family address. This could be a bill, an explanation of benefits regarding a claim or other information. The letter must be the same month that you are getting your license.

A verification letter from APIA (Provided by your community counselor)

Proof of lawful presence in the United States:

Passport

Visa (check your DS-2019 form and make sure the correct dates are listed. If not, contact your counselor. If you are a second year au pair, your new DS-2019 form will be needed showing your extended dates.)

I-94 card

  1. Any out-of-state driver’s license/permit/ID cards must be surrendered.
    1. If the applicant previously was issued a driver’s license/permit/ID card in another state, and that card has been lost or stolen, the applicant must provide a certified copy of his or her driving record or motor vehicle report from the state that issued the card. The MVR must be dated within the last 30 days. The DDS does not accept uncertified copies printed from websites, but a fax may be sent to the DDS directly from the other state agency.

All documents must be in English. See the Translator List to locate an approved document translation company

For confirmation and more information on obtaining a Georgia Driver’s License please go to www.dds.ga.gov