Author Archives: Bettina Velona

Visit to the Beach

On a beautiful day in August, our au pair cluster went to Nahant beach.  It was nice for the summer arrivals to meet each other and more seasoned au pairs. It helps them adapt more easily after they have left their families and friend network to come to a new country.

We welcomed Laura B, Laura L, Victoria, Shiran, and Jaqueline.  We said good-bye to Tifaine who moved to another host family.

For more photos, visit beach 2014

Au Pair Barbecue

This month, we met at my house for a barbecue.  Since it is summer, there were many good-byes and some hellos.  We said good-bye to Melissa, Tazmyn, Natalia, Audrey, Liz and Priscilla.   Good luck to you all with your future endeavors!  We said hello to Londeka and Miriam, who had just arrived to the area that week.   It was nice to see them start making connections with other au pairs.  They also benefited from advice and feedback from the more seasoned au pairs.

For more photos, go to July Barbecue.

Au Pairs Canoe and Picnic in Historic Concord

What a fun event our annual canoeing and picnic was again this June!  For our cluster meeting, we met up with 2 other clusters at the South Bridge boat house.  From there, au pairs canoed to the North Bridge, where counselors had prepared a picnic with fruit, brownies and lemonade.  It was a beautiful day, perfect for our event.

Summer is a big time for good-byes.  We said good-bye to Julia, Junika, Jenni, Khim and Lucie.  We wish you all the best for your future!   We welcomed Veronika into our cluster.

For more photos please visit Concord 2014

Summer Safety

Summer Safety Tips Sun

During the summer months we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water.  Here are some good tips to share with your au pairs and host families.

  • Avoid long periods of sun exposure especially between 10.00am and 4.00pm
  • Apply sunscreen of at least  15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should be worn on sunny and cloudy days.
  • Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face
  • Stay hydrated, drink water throughout the day
  • Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels
  • Never leave children or animals in a car unattended.

  • Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Be very clear who is in charge.
  • When in the water there should be an adult at arms length from young children at all times
  • Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in the water
  • Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
  • Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
  • If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
  • Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.

As well as the host parents’ numbers, au pairs should have the phone number of the community counselor and the Au Pair in America 800 number saved to their phones.  This way if you need assistance you can quickly and easily dial the number.  Please make sure you know what to do if there is an emergency situation while you are in charge of the children. This is a good time of year to review any family rules that apply to summer activities especially by the pool and while at the beach.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!

Au Pair Breakfast

In May, we congregated at my house for breakfast.  It was a beautiful day and we could sit outside in the backyard. Some au pairs even brought their children along.  These meetings at my house are always a great opportunity for au pairs to sit together, bond, and talk about their lives as au pairs.

The meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for me to check in with each of them to see how they are doing.   We also took care of some end of the year business by discussing their last meetings and providing me with proof of their education.

We said good-bye to Yann Ling who will leave us soon to go back to Malaysia.  We also said good-bye to Kathrin who moved to Connecticut.

For more photos please visit May Breakfast

Making Safe Decisions

Making Safe Decisions

Driving

  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules with your host family, if not talk to them about it or call me
  • Ask permission if you need the car to go somewhere other than where you would normally go
  • Do not take the car to areas that may not be considered safe, especially in and around cities, ask your host family if you are not sure
  • Be careful at night, park in well lit safe places, avoid empty looking car parks and indoor garages
  • Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving
  • Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so they can help you

Alcohol Laws in the United States

  • It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol in the United States.  If you are over 21 please be mindful if you are with other au pairs who are under 21 and the risk they take if they break the law.
  • Using a fake id’s is illegal.  You can be arrested for using a fake ID.
  • Drinking and driving is illegal and is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk.  You should never drink and drive.  If you are arrested for drinking and driving there are very serious consequences in this country including jail time.   Also, be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and driver.   Make safe choices and don’t take unnecessary risks.
  • Do not risk your year and participation on the program by drinking underage, it is not worth it!

Home Alone

  • If your host parents are going away overnight and leaving you at home,  talk about the house rules ahead of time and respect them
  • Talk to your host parents about having friends over when they are away including friends staying overnight and male guests too
  • If you are under 21 years old do not offer alcohol and/or drink alcohol in your host parents home or offer alcohol to other au pairs in their home
  • If you are over 21 talk to your host family about their house rules regarding alcohol use.  Do not offer alcohol or buy alcohol for anyone who is under 21.

Always make safe choices!  If you have any questions about anything that concerns your safety, call me so we can talk about it.

Boston area au pairs visit the Prudential Center Skywalk

This month we joined other Boston area au pair clusters for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk.  50 floors above Boston, we had a bird’s eye view of Boston’s Hancock Tower, Fenway Park, the Boston Common and Public Garden, the Esplanade and Hatch Shell, the Charles River, MIT, Harvard University, and countless other Boston landmarks.  Au pairs also had the chance to use interactive exhibits which provided them with a real flavor of the city’s distinctive culture and neighborhoods.  Multimedia players were provided detailing the city’s historic past and current sites.

Afterwards, we walked to Panera Bread and enjoyed food and conversation.  We welcomed Erika from Italy to our cluster and said good-bye to Nhung and Aneta.

For more photos, please visit Prudential Skywalk.

Au Pairs participate in yoga class

In March, we met at Together in Motion for a yoga class taught by me.  11 au pairs participated and we had a good class.

Afterwards, we gathered for some food and discussions.  Taxes were still a big topic as tax day is April 15, and we discussed that in detail.   We also had our quarterly childcare/safety meeting and discussed host family expectations with regard to electronics use and engaging children in activities.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures!

Valentine's Meeting

In February, we had a Valentine’s meeting at my house which included sweet Valentine’s treats.   Since taxes are due in April, we also discussed the process of filing taxes for au pairs.  It is an easy process, but it doesn’t feel so easy when you are from a different country and haven’t done it before.

It was nice sitting around the table and chatting.  It is always a good chance for au pairs to exchange experiences and get feedback from others.  We also said good-bye to Jaque, who left our cluster in January.

Boston Au Pairs Go Snowtubing

For our cluster meeting this month, we joined 4 other Boston area au pair clusters for snowtubing at Nashoba Valley.   Approximately 50 au pairs hit the slopes in pleasant temperatures.

This month we said good-bye to Deborah and to Mayela, and we welcomed Vanessa and Jana.   We took some time in the lodge to connect before heading out and enjoyed refreshments.

For more photos, please visit Snowtubing 2014