Monthly Archives: November 2009

Boston Area Au Pairs Take Self-Defense Class

Au Pairs take self defense class

Boston area au pairs take self defense class

Au Pair in America counselors Bettina Velona, Joyce McGovern and Heike Kriszun thought it important for their au pairs to practice verbal and physical boundary setting.  That is why their November meeting took place at “Together in Motion” in East Arlington, where owner Erik Condo taught his Not-Me! self defense class. During the class, au pairs learned the 5D’s of self defense: decide, deter, disrupt,  disengage, debrief.   Erik’s class focused a lot on how to set verbal and physical boundaries with a potential aggressor and au pairs practiced different methods on how to escape an aggressor.

In order to assure quality service to host families and au pairs, Au Pair in America  counselors are required to hold safety meetings for their au pairs every quarter.  This class satisfies this requirement.

Check out pictures of this event at AuPairSelfDefense

For more information on Erik Kondo’s Not-Me! self defense classes, check out “Not-Me!”

Flu/H1N1

What is Novel H1N1 (swine flu)? It is an influenza virus that has never been seen in humans before and is spreading around the world. The virus can spread from people who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How is swine flu different from seasonal flu? The swine flu takes its biggest toll on people younger than 25, pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, immune deficiencies and other chronic conditions. Seasonal flu usually takes its biggest toll on the very young and the very old, along with those who have chronic diseases.

How can I protect myself from getting sick? Get vaccinated. Vaccine for seasonal flu is available thought flu clinics, a limited amount of vaccine for swine flu is now available through the towns. Public health experts advise adults and children to get both vaccines.

If I do get sick what do I have to do? If you’re otherwise healthy, don’t have a high fever and are not suffering from any respiratory symptoms (difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen), public health experts recommend staying home, taking fever-reducing medicine, getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

When do I have to go to the hospital? Go and see the doctor immediately if in addition to the common flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and headache) you also experience: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting.

What does the au pair insurance cover? If you are diagnosed with swine or seasonal flu and you need a special treatment, the cost of any medical exam, hospitalization, medication and other medically necessary treatment will be covered by Au Pair in America health insurance.

PS! Please note – vaccines ARE NOT covered. The seasonal flu vaccine costs around $30.00, the swine flu vaccine is free of charge.

Where can I get flu vaccine? CVS pharmacy “Minute Clinics” are good places to go. They are open 7 days a week and have evening hours.

5 easy steps to stay healthy during the flu season:

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw out dirty tissues immediately.

•Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol hand sanitizers are effective as well.

•Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

•If you’re sick with flu-like illness, keep away from others to keep from making them sick.

•Avoid close contact with sick people, if possible.

More information about seasonal and swine flu:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Holiday Tips

As we head into the Holidays, here are some tips regarding the holiday season and your au pair:

As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, it is important to remember that Au Pairs may feel homesick, even if they haven’t at other times. Certain people and places are missed, and our traditions and activities seem different.

Au Pairs’ emotions are often close to the surface at this time and the enormity of this year away from home may hit her hard.

You can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your family activities will be; for example, when the candles are lit, the stockings hung, the tree decorated, gifts given, meals prepared and eaten, relatives arrive or when you visit family. It would be very thoughtful to ask her if she has a favorite holiday food or tradition that could be incorporated into your celebration.

Talk to your Au Pair specifically about what has to be accomplished, get her involved and interested because this will ease her homesickness. 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 to make her feel a part of things. Let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.

Consider the dynamics of the normal relationships you have all established and how the changes in holiday routine affects them. Parents at home, relatives visiting and children off at school. Different work expectations may be needed and this should be clearly discussed.

Socially, please remember the holidays are a time when Au Pairs want and need to be with their friends. This also helps their survival mechanism when they are missing old friends back home.

New Year’s eve in America is a very special occasion to an Au Pair, so open communication is very important as you decide on New Year’s Eve plans and the time off, if any, you can offer to your Au Pair.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season and that these tips letter will help you enjoy the season with your Au Pair.

by Dominique Ortiz