Tag Archives: au pair

September Cluster Meeting

Launching

Launching

Paddling on the Concord River

On a beautiful and warm September day, a large group of energetic au pairs rowed on the Concord River to the historic North Bridge. Most boats showed excellent technique, with only a few going around in circles and hitting the first stone bridge on the way before getting under it successfully. One of our au pairs biked over 8 miles to get to the meeting and then biked from the boathouse up to the North Bridge for the meeting. Everyone arrived safely and tying up at the dock, the boaters were admired by the tourists from around the world who were watching from the North Bridge.

After enjoying an energy snack of brownies and lemonade in a beautiful and peaceful field, we remembered 9-11 and its significance in our lives regardless of where we are from. Although many au pairs did not remember the specifics of the day, others had vivid memories of hearing the news.

Soon it was time to get back into the boats and fight a very strong current to get back to the boathouse. It was not easy and there were some panicky moments as one or two of the boats were pulled backwards, actually hitting the stately North Bridge or gliding uncontrollably into the woods on the riverside! Finally, all boats rounded the oxbow in the river with only one signaling distress. Eventually, Kevin of the Boat House took the rescue boat out to rescue these paddlers. It was quite exciting and as these tired au pairs motored back to the boathouse with their canoe in tow, it was clear that they had enjoyed the whole adventure! They joined the other au pairs who had already returned to the boathouse to share a few more minutes together before getting ready to start the week of a busy au pair.

view more pictures here!

MORE SNOWY DAYS COMING!

snowflakes1Here are some helpful tips on activities for you on cold, snowy or rainy days at home with the children.

Listen to Music and Dance Day
Don’t let the rain or snow stop you from being active. Put on a lively tape and dance around the house today.  Show the children some traditional dance moves from your country!

Tea Party Day

Mix up some warm cocoa or milk and invite the dolls or stuffed animals for a tea party

Art Day
Make today an art day – try drawing, painting, creating with glue or clay.

Make a necklace today– use a licorice “shoelace” (the really long thin ones) and cereal for young children and then they can eat the whole thing.  For something less sticky, use string instead of the licorice.

Puzzle Day

Do a puzzle or make one of your own. Find a fun picture in a magazine and glue it to lightweight cardboard. Cut into shapes.

Make a Pie

Pies are popular every day and are easy to make if you buy a prepared crust in the freezer or dairy section of the grocery store. Try this easy recipe;

Chocolate Pie

Purchase pre-made pie shell and Jell-O instant chocolate pudding.  Prepare pie shell per directions.  Let cool.  Prepare pudding, pour into pie shell, let set for an hour and voila!  Dessert is served!

Stamping
Rubber stamps and stamp pads are fun, but for a change try sponge and some kitchen utensils or cut shapes into a potato, apple, or orange. You could even let the child dip his or her hand into some water-based paint to make great pictures.

Treasure Hunt!
Pretend you are all on a desert island looking for treasure. Make a map or place clues around the house leading the children through the hunt. This can be done with pictures for non-readers – draw a picture of the television, then at the television place a picture of the stove. At the stove place a picture of a bed, and so on to the end. The “treasure” can be a treat to eat, or a new game to play.   Read books about pirates to add to the fun.

Make a fort today

Use blankets and couch cushions to make a fort and play inside.  Don’t forge to put everything away!

Make a picture frame
Glue 4 Popsicle sticks (available in craft departments) in a square to make a frame. Decorate the frame with glitter, lace, yarn, feathers, stickers, confetti or whatever you have on hand. Mount a picture from the back and be sure to date it! You can also
glue a magnet on from the back so that the picture can hang on the refrigerator. (This activity is suitable for children 3 and older)

January Snow Tubes Fly

Nashoba Valley Snow Tubing

Nashoba Valley Snow Tubing

On a cold and dark January night, several local clusters gathered to snow tube down Nashoba Mountain. Six clusters met in the toasty lodge for winter treats and hot drinks provided by their counselors before beginning an evening on the slopes. After group tickets were bought, the fun began! With old friends and new, au pairs bundled up and picked out their tubes. The music was loud; the squeals of delight were as well! Everyone had a wonderful time and most were already planning a repeat visit as they drove off.

snow tubing pictures

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

Each year schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is an occasion for joy and celebration for his life and his work toward nonviolent social change in America and the world.

It took many years for Congress to decide to celebrate the holiday.  In the years leading up to the official decree many African-Americans celebrated the birthday themselves with a few states declaring King’s birthday a state holiday.

The bill was finally passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law on November 2, 1983.  The first national celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday took place January 20, 1986.

To learn more about Dr. King and his life visit these websites.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/martin-luther-king-day

http://www.answers.com/topic/martin-luther-king-day

Our October Meeting- Going Back in Time

Our October meeting was held at Minuteman National Park right within our cluster towns!  It was really nice to see so many of you there from both Melinda’s and Patti’s cluster on one of the first days of October.

Gathering at The National Park Visitor Center

Gathering at The National Park Visitor Center

We said farewell to two au pairs after their very successful years, greeted our many new au pairs, had a picnic, and heard one of very own au pairs play guitar, but there was even more!  We went inside to hear about the first days of the American Revolution that started right here!  We enjoyed a multi-media film narrated by Colonel Doolittle, a reenactment of the minuteman’s responses to the British, and a tour of the historic Hartwell Tavern, one of the places where colonists gathered.   This makes the Minutemen’s struggles towards their goal of independence that much more real for all of us. Many au pairs can now better understand why we have somany tourists arriving daily from all over the world!  They are coming to see where American freedom all began!

Hartwell Tavern

Hartwell Tavern

Rainy Day Project!

Rain Sticks

Rain_Stick_H

Kids can create this fun craft that mimics the rainy day outside. Gather up a paper towel tube, crayons, tinfoil, masking tape, dry rice, and a long pipe cleaner. Have your child color and decorate the paper towel tube. Next, fasten tinfoil to one end with masking tape. Coil the pipe cleaner and fit it into the tube, along with the rice. Secure the other end of the tube with tinfoil and tape.  Your child’s rain stick is now ready to make soothing rain sounds!

Cooking with Kids

aprons,children,cooking,eggs,enjoyment,food,frying,girls,happiness,hats,kids,pans,people,smiling,spatulas

1.  Burns: If you are cooking with older kids and also have an infant in your care, the only safe place for him/her while you are cooking is in the play pen, high chair or crib.

2. If a child does get burned, put cold water on the burned area immediately.  Then cover the burn loosely with a bandage or clean cloth.  Call the doctor for all burns.

BE PREPARED – know where the First Aid Kit is in your house

Cooking With Kids

Cooking with children has many benefits.  It is a wonderful way for adults and children to have fun together while the children learn important skills.  Cooking activities can: help to develop hand-eye coordination, help to improve small motor skills, encourage the ability to do things in a logical order, and build reading and math skills.  Through cooperation it can give the children an important sense of accomplishment.  There is no other way we can see, smell, taste and share the results of our efforts.

Children as young as a year can begin to help in the kitchen doing very simple tasks such as putting ingredients into a bowl.  By the time children are 3 or 4 they can start to use a knife, but it must always be with adult supervision.  Cooking on the stove should be limited to older children.  Use the back burner whenever you can, and make sure pot handles don’t stick out where little hands can reach them, or where they can accidentally be knocked off the stove.  Make sure that children wash their hands before cooking, and if theyr are handling meat or eggs they should always wash afterwards as well.   Remember to teach children that clean-up is part of cooking.  Here are some recipes to get you started:

Soft Pretzels

1 package yeast

1 tsp. salt

4 cups flour

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 Tbs. sugar

1 egg, beaten

Stir yeast into water.  Add the sugar and salt.  Blend in flour.  Knead until smooth.  Cut into pieces and roll long and skinny.  Let the children make balls, worms, letters, etc.  Put on foil lined greased cookie sheet.  Brush with egg.  Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Fruit Smoothie

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 banana and/or pieces of most any other fruit – melon, berries, peach, etc.

2 tsp honey

dried mint or a sprinkle of cinnamon if you wish.

Put all ingredients in the jar of a blender – don’t fill it to the top, as it needs space to blend.  Blend until smooth.  You can also blend in some ice for a frosty treat

Muddy Hand Cookies

2/3 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa mix

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla together.  Add eggs and mix well.  Add dry ingredients, blending thoroughly.  Chill dough until firm.  Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thick.  Lay you hand on the dough and cut around it to make your hand print.  Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes

English Muffin Pizza

6 English Muffins, split

1 package shredded mozzarella cheese

1 can or jar pizza sauce

Line a cookie sheet with foil and place English muffin halves on it.  Spread with the pizza sauce.  Sprinkle with the cheese.  Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes.  Add other toppings (vegetables or meat) if you wish

The Importance Of Complying With Au Pair Program Rules and Regulations

The au pair program is a state department regulated cultural exchange program and by joining it, host families have agreed to comply with the program rules and regulations, most of which are set by the State Department.  During busy times of your life as a host family it might be tempting to make exceptions to the rules.  However, it is important to keep to the program rules and make sure that alternate arrangements are made in times of high need.

Please remember that your most important asset is your kids, and the au pair is the one watching them.  The way the au pair is treated automatically affects the way she interacts with your children.  An au pair that feels respected and like a member of the family (versus an employee) will be happier and will have more pleasant interactions with you and your children.  An au pair that is not stressed and tired because she is overworked will be more focused on the safety and well-being of your children.

Please remember that even if an au pair agreed to disregard regulations, it does not make it right.  Many au pairs might not agree, but are too afraid to speak up to you.  They are far away from their own home and you are their family away from home.  Here is a quote from one of my host mothers, Elizabeth: “It’s not a matter of Jomkwan’s willingness, we know she would probably be willing to work overtime in exchange for money or extra days off. We don’t feel comfortable violating the rules of the program. I know lots of people do it, and the au pairs go along willingly, but I think our relationship with Jomkwan has been better because we follow the rules so strictly, even though she’d probably be happy to go along with bending them now and then. We’re talking here about a young woman who is smart and responsible and resourceful, but who is also living in our house thousands of miles from her own home with a limited grasp of English. She’s also from a culture where deferring to authority is the norm. We are very sensitive to the fact that she has a diminished ability to tell us no when we make a request; following the program rules to the letter is an insurance against making her feel pressured to do things that she would rather not do.”

Here is a list of the most important program rules and regulations relating to the daily interactions with your au pair:

-Au Pair’s work hours cannot exceed 45 hours for the week.  There is no banking of hours.  If an au pair only worked 20 hours one week, she cannot be expected to work 65 the next week.

-Scheduled working hours cannot exceed 10 hours per day.  Do not leave an au pair in sole charge of a child overnight.

-Au Pair gets 1.5 days off a week, and a full weekend every month.

-Au Pair cannot alone with the children during the first 3 days after she has arrived in your home.

-Never leave an au pair in sole charge of an infant under 3 months old.

-Au Pair may not care for the children of other families unless it is an occasional playdate.

-Your au pair can be expected to do chores associated with taking care of your children.  Au pairs are not housekeepers, cooks, or maids.  They are not responsible for house cleaning.

-Provide the au pair the opportunity to attend monthly cluster meetings.

-Facilitate the opportunity for your au pair to register and take the required educational classes

-Treat the au pair like a member of your family

originally posted by Bettina Velona