Westport, CT Host Families and Au Pairs got together yesterday at Compo Beach brick pavilion for our annual Host Family and Au Pair Get Together. The parents met each other and their Au Pairs, discussed the benefits and challenges of hosting an Au Pair, while their Au Pairs had fun meeting each other, arranging playdates with other Au Pairs and their children and discussing fun places to visit.
Just in time for Presidents’ weekend and holiday, Au Pairs from Westport, Wilton and Weston gathered at the Weston Library to learn about our American government, while at the same time making some new friends. Au Pairs teamed up to do a Democracy in the USA word search, then listened to a power point presentation about our 3 branches of government. They learned what each branch does, how many terms Senators, Representatives and the President can serve and what happens if a President dies or has to leave office early. In teams of 4/5, Au Pairs then worked together to complete a fun quiz on the information. Refreshments were provided. Prizes were awarded and everyone got a chance to meet some new friends.
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
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
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?
Host Families, please join us for a 30-minute webinar to learn some great cross-cultural competency skills so that you and your au pair can have the most successful exchange possible.
The webinar will be offered several times:
Wednesday, November 29 at 1 PM EST
Wednesday, November 29 at 8 PM EST
Wednesday, December 6 at 1 PM EST
Wednesday, December 6 at 8 PM EST
Wednesday, January 10 at 1 PM EST
Wednesday, January 10 at 8 PM EST
Wednesday, January 24 at 8 PM EST
Thursday, January 25 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
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
Sunday September 10, 2017, Westport Au Pair in America Host Families and Au Pairs gathered together at Compo Beach. Over 60 people attended this annual event. It was a wonderful opportunity for new host families and Au Pairs to meet and greet each other.
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.
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)
