Tag Archives: Child Care

Au Pairs visit Prudential Center Skywalk

This month, we met another Boston area cluster for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk.  Au pairs enjoyed the view from the 50th floor despite the fact that it was cloudy. Au pairs also learned a lot about Boston by using the audio tour device and reading up on Boston facts.

Afterwards, we walked over to Vapiano restaurant in the theater district.   Counselors distributed a handout about spring activities, including child safety reminders.   Each quarter, counselors hold a childcare/safety meeting with au pairs in an effort to ensure good quality childcare for their host families.

View from the top

View from the top

For more photos of our meeting, go to Skywalk 2012.

Wall Street Journal Blog About Au Pairs

Switching to an Au Pair

Check out this blog entry in yesterday’s  Wall Street Journal

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2012/02/02/switching-to-an-au-pair/?mod=WSJBlog#

By John J. Edwards III

Everett Collection
Will she be as good as Mary Poppins?

My wife and I have made a momentous child-care decision: We’re switching from a full-time babysitter to an au pair.

In the au pair program, young women age 18 to 26 come to the U.S. to spend a year or more living with an American family and providing child care, in exchange for a modest stipend and some tuition help. Our interest in the program doesn’t stem from any deficiency in our kids’ current care: We’ve had the same babysitter for almost nine years, since our 10-year-old daughter was 1½ (and our 7-year-old son’s whole life), and she’s been wonderful with them and unfailingly reliable.

But an au pair costs less—a lot less. Even after spending some money on renovations to create a bedroom for our new guest/employee, we’ll save many thousands of dollars a year.

Beyond that, we’re excited about our kids having a caregiver who’s more hands-on and energetic than their current one, who’s in vibrant health but is a rather reserved woman in her late 50s. When they go to the pool on summer afternoons, for example, the au pair might actually get in and splash around with them. And, of course, having a houseguest from a foreign land should be a great cultural experience for the whole family.

So, we sat down with the current sitter last week and explained our plan, making sure to emphasize that we’ll actively help her find a new position in the next few months and will make sure to keep her a part of the kids’ lives. She took it well—that reserved personality helps in avoiding big emotional scenes.

After she left for the night, we told the kids. They both cried at first—the older one quietly, the younger one wailing for a bit—but they both came around as we started looking at potential au pairs’ videos on the service’s website (http://www.aupairinamerica.com/). We’ve already found a few who look appealing, and we’ll be starting the evaluation and interview process soon with an eye toward having someone arrive in May.

We’ll do the interviews via Skype, first the two of us, then with the kids if we might be interested in moving forward. When we eventually decide to “match” with an au pair (and she with us), we won’t meet her in person until she arrives in the States, but we’re confident we’ll know her well enough from the conversations and the copious supporting materials.

We’re a little nervous about the unknowns of sharing our far-from-huge house with someone, but the placement of her room should afford plenty of nighttime privacy for her and for us. And the advantages in schedule flexibility and cost savings will go a long way in helping us get comfortable with the idea.

I’ll check in with posts from time to time about our progress through the experience. For now, readers, do any of you have au pair experiences to share, either your own or from friends? Would you consider an au pair for your own child care?

January Meeting

This month we had a snowtubing event planned, but due to un-wintery conditions this week, we postponed it to February.   On short notice, we had a small gathering two days later at my house.   Since the meeting was smaller, we had the chance to talk about a lot of things.  Au pairs had the chance to talk to me one on one about issues that they are dealing with.  We also had a nice talk around the table about au pair topics, including child care, paying taxes,  boyfriends and life with the host family.

Host Family and Au Pair Apple Orchard Picnic

Last Sunday, three Boston area au pair clusters met at Carver Hill Orchard in Stow, MA for our annual host family/au pair picnic.    Host families and au pairs enjoyed apple cider and cider donuts provided by the counselors and the kids participated in fall themed cookie decorating.  Families and au pairs also went apple picking and enjoyed a hayride through the orchard.

As per State Department regulation, as an au pair agency, we need to offer our host families an informational host family workshop each year during which host families can also meet each other and get to know the cluster better.    The Cultural Fair in April was one of them, and we always like to offer this apple picking venue as well since it offers the cultural experience that is so much part of our au pair program.   Host families had a choice of informational handouts relating to the host family – au pair relationship.

For more pictures go to  Apple Orchard and Apple Orchard1

The outing that wasn't

This month I teamed up with two other local counselors and we planned a trip to Concord, MA.  The au pairs were going to start canoeing at the South Bridge and make their way to the North Bridge.  There, we were going to welcome them with a prepared picnic.    Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate that day and on the next day, which was the rain date.

We made the best of it and I met my group of au pairs for an inside picnic at my house.   We sat around my table and had good conversations.    These meetings are a chance for au pairs to talk about their experience as an au pair and bring up topics to discuss with the group.  It is often very helpful for them to hear others talk about an issue that they might experience.

We also got a chance to say good-bye to Nadege who will be going home to France after 2 years.   We welcomed two new au pairs, Mai and Meilikano to our group.   I always have the departing au pair say a few words about her experience and suggest sharing anything she finds helpful with the newer au pairs.

For more photos please go to June Meeting

Spring and Summer Safety

SPRING AND SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site (http://www.aap.org).

FUN IN THE SUN

Babies under 6 months:

  • Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands.

For Young Children:

  • Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

For Older Children:

  • The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
  • Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN

  • The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
  • At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
  • Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
  • Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.
  • Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

POOL SAFETY

  • Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
  • Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
  • Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
  • Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
  • Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
  • Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

BUG SAFETY

  • Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
  • Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
  • Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
  • To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
  • Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
  • Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks and mosquitoes, and can prevent Lyme Disease.
  • The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
  • The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.

BICYCLE SAFETY

  • Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.  Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
  • A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
  • A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards.  The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction.  If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.

SKATEBOARD AND SCOOTER SAFETY

  • Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
  • All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear.

Au Pairs Practice Yoga in Arlington Center

Yoga Group (missing participant: Sune)

Yoga Group (missing participant: Sune)

This month, I taught a yoga class to my pair cluster, which took place at The Arlington Center Yoga Studio in East Arlington.  For some au pairs, it was their first exposure to yoga.   Everybody seemed to enjoy the experience.

After the class, we enjoyed a good-bye cake for Saskia and Alicia who will be leaving us in June.    I congratulated them for their accomplishments, and they talked to the other au pairs about their experience as an au pair.  We also welcomed new au pair Evelina to our cluster.   Having access to a group of other au pairs who are sharing their experience and who might be a good resource for them has been a very valuable for my au pairs.

In an effort to ensure the best possible childcare for our host families, Au Pair in America counselors are required to hold a childcare/safety meeting with their au pair groups.  This month’s meeting included a discussion about spring and summer safety.  You can find the document under “Au Pair Info.”

To access the yoga group photo, please visit Yoga Group

2011 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

  • Where: 300 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
  • Date: April 30, 2011
  • Time: 11:00am–2:00pm

  • Local Au Pairs to participate in an International Cultural Fair at Boston Children’s Museum on April 30th On Saturday, April, 30th, au pairs from local families will host an International Children’s Cultural Fair at the Boston Children’s Museum from 11am to 2pm.  The au pairs, who are a part of Au Pair in America live with local host families for a year and care for their children.    The fair will be a celebration of culture geared toward families and children.  The au pairs will share songs, traditional dances, crafts and facts about their countries.  Children will be given a ‘passport card’ to collect country flags as they visit the displays which have been put together by au pairs from the many different countries.    All are welcome to attend the event at Boston Children’s Museum at 300 Congress Street, Boston MA.   The cultural fair is a great opportunity to interact with these young women who come from many countries around the world.    Pictures of last year’s fair.

Au Pairs visit self defense class in Arlington

This month, our au pair group visited “Not-Me” in East Arlington, where owner Erik Kondo held a “Beyond Awareness – Physical Assertiveness for the Street”  self-defense class.  The class focused mainly on non-physical aspects of self-defense, like the decision not to be a victim, situational awareness, one’s attitudes and appearance,  assertiveness, body language, boundary setting, and steps on how to de-escalate an aggressive situation.   Erik and his assistants took us through potential aggressive situations and we got to practice strategies that we had discussed earlier.

This month’s meeting satisfies the State Department mandated quarterly childcare/safety meeting.   It also supports Au Pair in America’s high standard for safety.   Erik’s strategies can be applied to every day life and hopefully most of us will find ourselves remembering some of the things he taught us to keep ourselves and others safe.

We even made it onto the “Not-Me” blog.  Check it out at Not-Me.

For more pictures of our meeting please visit Au Pair Self Defense

Back to School Tips

Back to School Tips

School has started again. It is time to go over a few, simple rules.

School_Bus_Cartoon_1

Going back to school often means changing schedules and duties for au pairs.   It’s a good idea to sit down with your host family and talk about the new year’s schedule.

Make sure you understand the host family’s expectations for school lunches and homework.

If necessary, get familiar with the busing system and the car line rules at school.  Please never let children walk between the cars.  If you drive, please make sure you know the directions and how long it takes to get there.  It might be good to practice the drive before school starts.  Please make sure to observe the speed limit in school zones.  Never pass a school bus when traveling in either direction when it is stopped and the bus stop sign is out.

Children bring home papers and information every day.  Please make sure you have a designated place to put them so that your host parents can see them when they come home.