Category Archives: Au Pair Tips

SUMMER SAFETY


SUNSCREEN –

  • Apply early AND repeat. For kids six months and older (as well as adults), sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater reduce the intensity of UVRs that cause sunburns. Apply liberally 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, so it can absorb into the skin and decrease the likelihood that it will be washed off. Reapply every two hours and after kids swim, sweat or dry off with a towel. .
  • Cover up. Dress kids in protective clothing and hats. Clothing can be an excellent barrier of ultraviolet rays. Many light-weight sun-protective styles cover the neck, elbows and knees.
  • Keep infants out of the sun. Keep babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight, dressed in cool, comfortable clothing and wearing hats with brims. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says sunscreen may be used on infants younger than six months on small areas of skin if adequate clothing and shade are not available.
  • Plan early morning play. Avoid over exposure to sun by avoiding peak-sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) as much as possible. Sound impossible for your active kids? Make sure you all can get a break from the sun, when needed.
  • Beware of shade. Many people think sitting in the shade is a simple sun compromise. Shade does provide relief from the heat, but it offers a false sense of security about UVR protection. You can still sunburn in shade, because light is scattered and reflected. A fair-skinned person sitting under a tree can burn in less than an hour.
  • Check the weather. Look for the ultra-violet (UV) index (on a site like Weather.com) when planning outdoor activities; it predicts the intensity of UV light based on the sun’s position, cloud movements, altitude, ozone data and other factors. Higher UV index numbers predict more intense UV light.

POOL/LAKE RULES


Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in kids one to four-years-old. Here are tips to prevent accidents around the water. I recently shared this article with Au Pairs.   If you haven’t read it yet, please do: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/family/2013/06/rescuing_drowning_children_how_to_know_when_someone_is_in_trouble_in_the.html

  • Stay off cell phones. Do NOT allow yourself to get distracted when your kids are in the water.
  • EYES ON THE KIDS AT ALL TIMES: Even if your kids are swimmers, they MUST be watched.   Anything can happen in the water – do not rely on lifeguards.   YOU are in charge!!
  • HOMES WITH POOLS: Kiddie pools in backyards are to  be drained after use.. For houses that have swimming pools , remember, BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO THE POOL WHEN THE KIDS GO IN!!    BE PREPARED:   Don’t run back inside because you forgot a towel and leave the kids unattended!!  Train your kids to NEVER go near the pool without an adult!!!

INSECTS

  • Check for allergic reactions. Some kids react to insect bites more than others. If your child gets bitten and seems to have an allergic reaction to the bite, seek medical attention to see if you should give your child an oral antihistamine or other medication.
  • Beware of serious bug-borne illnesses. Most people who contract Eastern Equine Encephalitis (“Triple E”), a mosquito-transmitted illness, do not show any symptoms. But here’s the good news: this illness occurs relatively infrequently and mostly in and around swampy areas where human populations tend to be limited. West Nile is another virus you’ll hear about when the heat strikes. Basically, if there are symptoms of either of these illnesses, they are flu-like, so if you hear of instances in your area, and your child has bites and flu-symptoms (and muscle-stiffness for West Nile), go to a doctor. It’s better to be safe.
  • Check for ticks. Ticks thrive in warm, moist, woodsy areas, so ideally kids should wear long clothing to cover their skin, but let’s be realistic: in the heat of summer, that’s hard to do. Clothes are a culprit, too; ticks can come in on a t-shirt! If the clothes aren’t dirty enough to need washing, do it anyway. Placing clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least an hour will kill any ticks.
    Kids six and older can check themselves, with adult guidance, but they must check their entire body, not just forearms and legs:  under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs, around the waist, etc. If a child develops any rash or fever after a tick bite, go to the doctor.

DEHYDRATION
You may be surprised how much — and when — kids should drink liquids. To prevent dehydration, kids should drink 12 ounces of fluid 30 minutes before an activity begins and take mandatory fluid breaks (like many day camps require), with kids under 90 pounds drinking five ounces every 20 minutes during activities and kids over 90 pounds drinking nine

FIFA WORLD CUP

As we bring the world together with the work we do, so does world cup soccer!  The World Cup is one of the most followed international sporting events in the world and takes place every 4 years.  Many of our au pairs come from the countries represented and take great pride in supporting their national soccer teams.

The tournament kicks off today when Brazil plays Croatia in Sao Paulo. It will mark the 20th edition of the World Cup, which will culminate with the final on July 13 in Rio de Janeiro. The World Cup will feature 32 nations — placed in groups with four teams apiece — and a total of 64 games. Defending champion Spain will have to contend with the likes of Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Italy if it wants to retain its title. The United States has qualified for its seventh straight World Cup and will be looking to get out of a very tough group that features Germany, Portugal and Ghana.

The host nation has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) and will be going for a sixth before a home crowd. Anything short of lifting the trophy will be a tough day for Brazil. So wish your Brazilian au pairs some extra luck, you know they love their soccer!

The groups are as follows:

Group A        Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Group B        Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Group C        Colombia, Greece, Cote d’lvoire. Japan

Group D        Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Group E        Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Group F         Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Group G        Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

Group H        Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

BTW: There is a FIFA world cup app you can download to follow the scores and latest news.

#JoinIn the Brazil 2014 experience

For more news and information go to the official FIFA World Cup website

http://www.fifa.com/

Memorial Day

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Fun things to do in Boston at Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).

Americans honor those who have lost their lives for their country by visiting cemeteries, placing flags and flowers on graves, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon and attending parades. Children can be a part of Memorial Day too.  Here are some links to children’s activities:

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm

http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/memdyjbc.htm

Stay Safe on the Ice

As temperatures drop, lakes and ponds throughout the area are freezing over. But due to the uncertainty and changing conditions when it comes to ice covered bodies of water, play it safe and follow these guidelines for ice safety from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

Never Go onto the Ice Alone – A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.

Always keep your pets on a leash – If a pet falls through the ice do not attempt to rescue your pet, call 9-1-1 or go for help.

New Ice is Usually Stronger Than Old Ice – As ice ages, the bond between the crystals decays, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.

Beware of Ice Covered with Snow – Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. Snow can also hide cracks, weak and open ice.

Watch for Slush – Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.

Look for Ice over Flowing Water – Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally 15 percent weaker.

Ice Seldom Freezes or Thaws at a Uniform Rate – It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only a few inches thick 10 feet away.

Reach-Throw-Go – If a companion falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.). If this does not work, go for help or call 9-1-1, before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
If you fall in, try not to panic – Turn toward the direction from which you came.  Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet.  Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

Safer is going ice scating on a public scating place ( be sure you have the extra sports package from the health insurance !). Here are the

Ice rink options in the Boston area

Another winter activity which you can do with kids ( you won’t need the extra sports package from the health insurance) is snow tubing. Here are the options in the New England area

To all my aupair: Be sure you participate in our Jan cluster meeting snow tubing fun in 2014.

To all who want to celebrate New Years Eve in Boston be sure to read the Boston New Years Eve Guide

Happy New Year to all  and stay safe over New Years Eve!!!