Category Archives: Au Pair Tips

Holiday Party December 2018

Westport APIA Au Pairs celebrated the 2018 holiday season with an international feast and fest.  Au Pairs brought native dishes to sample and share and much was learned.  In Poland, children receive their Christmas gifts on Dec. 24th, after they see the first star.  Brazil and Italy share the same kind of bread and Poland and Brazil often make the same kind of salad, although in Brazil they put potatoes in it and in Poland they use apples.  Au Pairs dined on spicy Thai chicken, Polish vegetable salad, Italian bread, French crème boule, German fruit cake, Brazilian coconut balls, Polish carrot cake,  and butter, chocolate and vanilla cookies from Chile, El Salvador, and Austria. Fun night to celebrate friendships and food!

10 Tips for Summer Safety

  1. Remember to bring along drinks, especially water. Try to get children to drink water every 20 minutes, when they are outside in hot weather.
  2. Pay attention to surfaces that can be hot against children’s skin, such as metal slides and other playground equipment in the sun.
  3. Safety around water is particularly important. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. Whenever you are near water you must never leave a child alone – if the phone rings, take them with you or let it ring! Always stay within arm’s reach when the children are in or near water.
  4. Young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight. Keep the baby in the shade or under a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy.
  5. Dress babies in lightweight clothing and use brimmed hats.
  6. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, even if it appears overcast (cloudy).
  7. Try to keep children out of the sun in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.
  8. Learn what poison ivy looks like and keep children out of it. A good rule to teach the children is “leaves of three, let it be.”
  9. Use insect repellent spray to keep away mosquitos and ticks. Ask your host parents before applying.
  10. Check for ticks when you bring children in from playing outside, especially if you’ve been in tall grass or the woods.

Photo: Scott97006 (Flickr)

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Daylight Saving Time Begins March 11

What is Daylight Saving Time?

During Daylight Saving Time, clocks are turned forward one hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Today, approximately 70 countries worldwide utilize Daylight Saving Time, in at least some portion of the country. The U.S. started observing it in 1918, so it celebrates it’s 100th birthday, this year.

In March, we move the clock forward one hour, losing an hour of sleep. In November, we move the clock back one hour, regaining that extra hour of sleep.

An easy way to remember it is: Spring forward, Fall back.

Before you go to bed on March 10, be sure to set the clocks forward one hour!

Photo: Mark Lee

Host Family Webinars: Strengthening your Cultural Competency

Practical Strategies to Rev Up Your Cultural Competency: “Viewing the World Through Your Au Pair’s Cultural Lens”

Ever wonder why your au pair always says “yes” even if she doesn’t understand?
Curious why some au pairs take more initiative than others?
Puzzled why your au pair only hangs out with au pairs from her country?

Do you want your next match to have an even more open communication base to start?

Did you miss this year’s host family day and want to receive more cultural tips and training?
Au Pair In America Host Families, please join us for a 30-minute webinar to learn additional cross-cultural competency skills so that you and your au pair can have the most successful exchange possible. Q&A to follow.
The webinar will be offered at these times:
Wednesday, February 7 at 12 PM EST
Wednesday, February 7 at 8 PM EST
Tuesday, February 13 at 1 PM EST
Thursday, February 22 at 1 PM EST
Thursday, March 1 at 1 PM EST
Wednesday, March 7 at 9 AM EST
Sunday, March 18 at 8 PM EST
Wednesday, March 28 at 1 PM EST

REGISTER NOW

This webinar is offered by Global Awareness, a program developed by Au Pair in America to highlight the cross-cultural aspects of the exchange experience, which is the heart of the au pair program. Unique to Au Pair in America, Global Awareness is a free educational and cultural program that we offer to all of our participants. The mission of this program is to promote multi-cultural understanding, to build “ cross-cultural bridges,” to improve communication between cultures and to support the concept of mutual acceptance. For more information please visit www.globalawareness.com.
Au Pair in America

Trusted live-in child care – since 1986

Helpful Au Pair Webinars January thru March 2018

AU PAIR WEBINAR SCHEDULE
January – March 2018
www.aupairinamerica.com/webinars

JANUARY 9, 9:00 PM EST: TALK TALK TALK: ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP
LANGUAGE AND SPEECH IN YOUNG CHILDREN

JANUARY 11, 12:00 PM EST: FEELING SAD OR STRESSED: TIPS FOR GAINING
BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE

JANUARY 12, 12:00 PM EST: IT’S UP TO YOU: MAKING THE MOST OF
YOUR AU PAIR YEAR

JANUARY 16, 9:00 PM EST: TEENAGERS: THE LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP

JANUARY 17, 9:00 PM EST: TALK WITH A TRAINER

JANUARY 23, 9:00 PM EST: NUTRITION: GOOD EATING FOR YOU AND YOUR
KIDS

JANUARY 30, 9:00 PM EST: ACTIVITY TIME: INFANTS AND TODDLERS

JANUARY 31, 9:00 PM EST: TEMPER TANTRUMS: HELPING YOUR OUT
OF CONTROL CHILD

FEBRUARY 1, 9:30 PM EST: NO TIME FOR BOREDOM: ACTIVITIES TO DO
WITH PRESCHOOLERS

FEBRUARY 6, 9:00 PM EST: A WORKING VACATION

FEBRUARY 7, 9:00 PM EST: LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

FEBRUARY 13, 9:00 PM EST: AMERICAN KIDS AT PLAY: WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT

FEBRUARY 15 12:00 PM EST: READING: THE PLEASURE AND IMPORTANCE
OF READING WITH YOUR KIDS

FEBRUARY 27, 9:00 PM EST: TALK WITH A TRAINER

MARCH 1, 9:00 PM EST: GOING HOME: TIPS FOR LEAVING THE US AND
SETTLING IN AT HOME

MARCH 6, 9:00 PM EST: TRAVEL TIPS FOR AU PAIRS

MARCH 7, 9:00 PM EST: TOILET TRAINING 101

MARCH 12, 9:00 PM EDT: HELP! MY KIDS ARE FIGHTING AGAIN

MARCH 13, 9 PM EDT: HOMESICKNESS AND CULTURE SHOCK

MARCH 20, 9:00 PM EDT: 100 ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL AGE KIDS

MARCH 27, 9 PM EDT: VISITORS FROM HOME: MAKING IT WORK
FOR YOU, YOUR HOST FAMILY AND YOUR GUESTS

MARCH 29, 9 PM EDT: SUCCESSFULLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOU
HOST FAMILY

Au Pairs can register to attend at www.aupairinamerica.com/webinars

Au Pairs who attend an entire session will receive an e-certificate for attendance.

Au Pairs who attend 6 webinars between January 1 and March 31, 2018 will be entered into a raffle to receive a $250 TARGET GIFT CARD*

*Au Pairs must register for and attend 6 Au Pair in America webinars held during the specified timeframe of January 1 through March 31, 2018 and must be in attendance the entire length of each webinar. Au Pairs that leave the webinar before it is complete will not receive credit for attending that particular webinar. Once an Au Pair completes her 6th webinar, her name will be entered into a raffle drawing, with the winner being awarded a $250 TARGET Gift Card.

If you have any questions about the Webinars for Au Pairs, please contact Sandee Plescia at splescia@aupairinamerica.com

Avoiding Homesickness this Holiday Season

Homesickness can be a problem during the holidays, even if it hasn’t been at any other time of the year. Au pairs often miss their friends and family, familiar places and their own traditions and customs. The holiday activities in the United States seem, and may actually be, different just at a time when an au pair would welcome something familiar. 

It is common for au pairs’ emotions to be close to the surface during the holidays. Her highs are higher, her lows are lower. The enormity of what she has done–actually living in another country (which is an amazing thing when you think about it!)–hits her and throws her into a self-protective mode.

Host parents can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your specific family activities will be (gifts, meals, visitors, religious services, in-home traditions, or none of these, as the case may be.) In the spirit of cultural exchange, ask her if she has any favorite holiday traditions or foods that you might be able to incorporate into your family’s celebration of the season. Let her know what you will be doing, when you will be doing it, and what she can expect. Talk to her about what has to be accomplished and get her involved and interested. Don’t expect her to just “know” what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed upon assignments. Make her feel a part of things. And, let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.

Photo: Sheila Sund (Flickr)

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)

Au Pair Webinar Schedule October- December 2017

Au Pair in America is the only Au Pair agency which offers training to our Au Pairs throughout the year by offering webinars on a monthly basis.  The webinars are designed to help Au Pairs manage their year in America and are presented by the one of the Orientation Trainers: Jody Landon, Joan Barth and Sandee Plescia.     The webinars are only for Au Pairs.    The webinars are offered six times a month at various times and dates.

OCTOBER 3, 9:30 PM EDT:  ACTVITY TIME INFANTS AND TODDLERS

OCTOBER 10, 9:30 PM EDT:   IT’S UP TO YOU: MAKING THE MOST OF
YOUR AU PAIR YEAR

OCTOBER 12, 9:00 PM EDT:   COOKING IN AMERICA: DIET, KITCHEN TIPS
AND ENGAGING THE KIDS

OCTOBER 17, 9:30 PM EDT:  NO TIME FOR BOREDOM: ACTIVITIES TO DO
WITH PRESCHOOLERS

OCTOBER 25, 9:30 PM EDT: READING: THE PLEASURE AND IMPORTANCE
OF READING WITH YOUR KIDS

OCTOBER 26, 9:00 PM EDT:  TALK WITH A TRAINER

NOVEMBER 1, 9:00 PM EDT:  SUCCESSFULLY COMMUNICATING WITH
YOUR HOST FAMILY

NOVEMBER 7, 9:30 PM EST:  LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS: LET’S
TALK ABOUT THEM

NOVEMBER 13, 9:00 PM EST:  VISITORS FROM HOME? MAKING IT WORK FOR
YOU, YOUR HOST FAMILY AND YOUR GUESTS

NOVEMBER 14, 9:30 PM EST: TALK WITH A TRAINER

NOVEMBER 21, 9:30 PM EST: 100 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH SCHOOL AGE
KIDS

NOVEMBER 28, 9:30 PM EST: GREAT AMERICAN HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER 3, 12:00PM EST: TRAVEL TIPS FOR AU PAIRS

DECEMBER 5, 9:30 PM EDT: HOMESICKESS: HOW YOU CAN GET THROUGH IT

DECEMBER 7, 9:00 PM EDT: FEELING SAD OR STRESSED: TIPS FOR GAINING
BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE

DECEMBER 12, 9:30 PM EDT:    GOING HOME: TIPS FOR LEAVING THE US AND
SETTLING IN AT HOME

DECEMBER 17, 9:00 AM EDT: TALK WITH A TRAINER

Au Pairs can register to attend at www.aupairinamerica.com/webinars

Au Pairs who attend an entire session will receive an e-certificate for attendance. Additionally, a $20 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD will be awarded to a participant in each webinar.

Au Pairs who attend 6 webinars for the full length of each webinar between October 1 and December 31, 2017, will be entered into a raffle to receive a $250 TARGET GIFT CARD.

If you have any questions about Webinars for Au Pairs, please contact Sandee Plescia at splescia@aupairinamerica.com

 

Hints for Success – Overcoming Homesickness

Almost everyone experiences homesickness and culture shock to some degree, when they come to live in a completely new environment. So much is different and it takes time to adjust.

It is normal to miss your own family, at home. Try to remember that they support you and want you to make the most of this experience. They will enjoy learning more about the U.S., through your eyes, as you share your adventures with them.

Top 5 Tips for Dealing with Homesickness

1. Make Friends – Don’t wait for other au pairs to reach out to you, reach out to them. There are other lots of new au pairs who are feeling the same way you are right now. Set a goal to reach out to a few of them each day. Some will respond and some will not. Don’t let that discourage you. No one will ever be mad at you for sending them a message to say hello or ask if they want to do something together. Make friends from various countries and you will also get a chance to practice your English skills together.

2. Stay in touch with your home country, but not too much. Skyping or talking on the phone every day with your family and/or friends back home normally makes homesickness worse. Try emailing instead and reduce the Skype and phone calls to once a week, until you feel stronger. It’s much harder seeing the faces and hearing the voices of those you miss.

3. Get out of the house (or your room specifically) – Go to cluster meetings, have coffee or movies with other au pairs, join a gym, go to the library, go for a walk, visit the mall, get a manicure, visit a museum. If someone invites you out, say “yes.” Also, don’t be afraid to do the inviting. If your host family invites you to do things with them, say “yes.” This will help you get to know each other and contribute to your overall happiness.

4. Realize that it definitely gets better – All au pairs experience homesickness and the vast majority of them get through it, stay and have a successful year (some even extend for a second year!) So, it must get better, right? Once you get past the initial homesickness, most au pairs report how quickly the year goes by.

5. Make Plans – Create your own Au Pair Bucket List (places you want to go, new foods to try, new things to experience during your year in the U.S.) and start doing them now. Post on our cluster Facebook group to find others who may want to join you on your adventures.

Photo by:  Shimelle Laine (Flickr)

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