Tag Archives: holiday

5 Thanksgiving Tips for Au Pairs & Host Parents

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. Even though a few other countries also celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s still considered a uniquely American holiday, one that the au pairs look forward to experiencing. You can learn more about it here.

“I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with my host family. It was as I imagined! So much food to try. Everyone got dressed up and shared what they were thankful for. It was so warm and special. The next day we began to prepare for Christmas. It was magical.” Selina from Germany

Below you will find some tips to help you have a terrific Thanksgiving experience.

 

Host Parents

1.  Please plan to include your au pair in your Thanksgiving celebration, if at all possible. Thanksgiving with an au pair offers an opportunity to consider the relevance of the history and meaning of Thanksgiving as you compare the hospitality offered by the Native Americans to the recently arrived Pilgrims and the hospitality you offer your au pair.

2.  If you are traveling or will not be able to invite your au pair to join you for Thanksgiving, give her plenty of notice and help her make alternate plans. You don’t want to leave your au pair alone over the holiday.

Au Pairs

3.  If you are invited to attend dinner, please let your family know within 5 days of the invitation, whether you are planning to attend. It is considered rude in America to accept the invitation for dinner and then change your mind later in the month. Please be thoughtful.

4.  Make sure to discuss time off during this holiday weekend. Many host families work the Friday after Thanksgiving so do not assume you have this day off or the entire weekend. Talk to your host family, BEFORE you make any plans.

5.  If your host family is unable to include you in their Thanksgiving plans, please let me know if you have trouble making other plans. You may be able to join a friend and their host family for the holiday dinner.

Bonus Tip for the Kids

If you are looking for a fun recipe to make with your au pair, check out these turkey cupcakes. Find more fun activities and recipes on the Au Pair in America Fall Holidays pinboard.

Photo: Tim Sackton (Flickr)

Martin Luther King Day

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
– Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Quote

Photo credit: Spin Cycle

The Martin Luther King Day federal holiday is Monday, Jan. 16 this year

Holiday Survival for Au Pairs

As we head into the holidays, it is important to consider how this time of year may impact you and your host family.

As Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s approach, please keep in mind that you may feel homesick, even if you haven’t at other times. People, places, and traditions are missed; our traditions and activities are unfamiliar to you, and you may not know what is expected of you during this very busy time of year. Your emotions may be close to the surface during the holiday season, and the enormity of the year away from home may hit you hard.

We can help you through this unfamiliar territory by talking openly about your feelings and by giving you some very specific advice:

  • Participate in your family’s activities as much as possible.
  • Talk to your family about what to expect and what their needs are during this busy season.
  • Ask what your schedule will be.  There’s a good chance your schedule will change during the holidays.
  • Share some of your favorite traditions/holiday foods/songs, etc with your family
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand something

Routines change during the holiday season:  parents are home, grandparents may be visiting, and children are off from school.

  • Be clear about your schedule, and pay particular attention to vacation plans.

If you are leaving the country for vacation:

  • Be sure that your DS 2019 form is signed by Evelyn Blum in the Stamford, CT office.  This is the paperwork required for you to re-enter the United States.
  • Mail it to Evelyn Blum, Au Pair in America, 9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
  • Include a stamped, self-addressed return envelope that has been pre-paid at the post office.

If you will be accompanying your host family on a vacation, please be clear about their expectations:

  • Will you be working? If so, this is not a vacation for you, and the same regulations apply—45 hours/week.

The high emotions and energy of the children at this time of year may seem overwhelming to you.  You may be surprised by the quantity of gifts children receive and the excesses of food and decorations. Try not to make judgments and enjoy the general excitement of the season. Remember, you came to the U.S. to see  and learn something new.

Many au pairs want to visit Times Square in New York Cityon New Year’s Eve.http://newyearseve.com/stories-experience-times-square-on-new-years-eve.php If you do have the time off and you’re going to NYC, please use caution.  It will be very crowded.  Stay with your friends, keep your belongings close and don’t bring your passport with you.  LEAVE YOUR PASSPORT HOME!!

I hope this helps you enjoy the season with your host family and friends.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday and a new year of joy, health, and peace.

gail