December 21 – First day of winter

December 25 – Christmas

December 26 – Kwanzaa

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

Driving – Traffic tends to be heavier around the Holidays.  My best advice is to leave earlier than normal and take your time.  Be the “bigger person” and allow that one last car to slip in ahead of you.  It may avoid an accident.  Remember au pairs can be asked to pay up to $500 of the deductible for an accident.

Education – the next UCLA course will run from January 10 – May 16. Registration is already open at www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs

 Healthy eating – is your house filled with treats, and goodies that are tempting you?  It is the season, and you are here for a cultural exchange, so try some of the traditional sweets your host family is offering, but it is a good idea to downsize your portions – how much you eat is as important as what you eat.

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

The last day of the year is a good time to think about how to make the next year better. You and the children can choose simple “New Year Resolutions.” Or create a keepsake of the year that is ending by making a time capsule or a scrapbook of memories. Include what are cool, slang words, popular activities, clothes, games, names of popular songs or games, and a picture of the hottest toy. If you are making a time capsule, put a date on it and decide when they will open it – in a year, 5 or even 10. Don’t forget to include a photo of you and the children! Tomorrow, the first day of the New Year, is a federal holiday. In some communities there are New Year celebrations and some families visit each other for New Year’s Day brunch.