Category Archives: Fun Things We Do

Pumpkin Carving Cluster Meeting at Compo Beach

Au Pairs from Westport, Weston, and Wilton got together at Compo Beach Tuesday October 17th to get ready for Halloween.  They carved pumpkins they then took home, shared a few laughs and met a few new friends.

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Host Family Workshop and Au Pair Get Together

  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.

Preventing Dehydration in Hot Weather

Dehydration means that the body lacks the necessary amount of fluid. Infants and small children are more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose relatively more fluid quickly.

Here are some steps to take to make sure children remain hydrated in the summer months:

  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. On hot days, children should drink significantly more water than usual, as they are losing more due to the heat.
  • Do not wait until your child is thirsty to give him water. By the time they feel thirsty, they are already becoming dehydrated.
  • If your child is resistant to drinking enough water, have other liquids on hand for your child to drink throughout the day.
  • Be alert to changes in behavior. A child may act confused or more irritable when they are becoming dehydrated/overheated. Get them into cooler temperatures and drinking more fluids.
  • Dress your child in lightweight clothing in the summer months, particularly if she’ll be playing outdoors in warm weather. You may also consider clothes that are well ventilated as they do not trap heat close to the body.
  • When there are heat and/or air quality advisories because the weather is dangerously hot, you should avoid taking the children outdoors. Check with your host parents for further guidance on this topic.

Remember to follow these tips for yourself too, so you stay well hydrated.

Photo: Darwin Bell (Flickr)

Holiday & Vacation Reminders

“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth

Holidays and vacations are a great opportunity to rest, recharge and explore the U.S.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should not make plans for holidays without checking with your host family first.

Vacations

  • Au pairs earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing tickets.
  • If an au pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) PRIOR to her departure from the US. More information about this may be found here on the Au Pair in America website.

Photo: torbakhopper (Flickr)

Face Painting Au Pairs

Westport Au Pairs braved the cold weather Saturday to bring smiles to kids.  Au Pairs volunteered to face paint at the Westport-Weston Cooperative Nursery School fund raiser Touch a Truck.  Although the weather was cold and raw, spirits were high as we painted, danced and shared some laughs. 

Handling Expenses

Host parents often ask for suggestions on how best to handle common expenses that occur as au pairs are caring for the children.

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for these types of expenses. Others give their au pair a prepaid debit card for this purpose. Below are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards 

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: to and from classes, cluster meetings and when driving the kids.

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Photo: Andrea Travillian

Ice Skating Cluster Meeting

Westport Au Pairs had a great time ice skating at the Westport Police Athletic League rink at Longshore Club Park, which is right on Long Island Sound.  wpalrink.com img_1731 img_1733 img_1734 img_1735 img_1736 img_1737 img_1738 img_1739 img_1740 img_1741 They had the rink practically all to themselves Thursday morning January 5th.  Although it was a cold day, it was fun skating and a wonderful opportunity to meet some of our new arrivals.

Au Pair Holiday Party 2016

Westport APIA Au Pairs gathered at my house last night for an international feast.  We dined on potato latkes from Israel, cheese balls from Brazil, pancakes from the Netherlands, crepes from France, Pad Thai from Thailand, eggplant parm from Italy, hummus from Turkey,  apple cake from Poland, rice pudding from Denmark, and chocolate muffins, cookies, candies from Germany and more!  (Please forgive me if I have left something out!) It was truly an international celebration, thanks to our Au Pairs!  img_1720 img_1721 img_1722 img_1723 img_1724 img_1725 img_1726 img_1727 img_1728 img_1730

They are an incredibly talented and creative group of women.  Great fun was had when each team had to create something out of pipe cleaners,  aluminum foil, some balloons and pom poms.  Each team came up with something festive and fun for the holidays!