Host Families

Travel Outside of the U.S.

7 Things to Know Before You Go There is always some risk with traveling outside of the U.S., as re-entry is at the discretion of the port of entry agent. APIA recommends that au pairs and host families discuss the risks and decide whether they are comfortable. Please review the appropriate checklist(s) from APIA, as you Read More

Hints for Success – 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 Read More

Making Thanksgiving Memories Together

Thanksgiving is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year in the United States. It started as a harvest festival and has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789.  The most important part of Thanksgiving for American families is to spend family time together.   “My favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Read More

Surviving & Thriving in the Holiday Season

The fall/winter holiday season is most often a time of joy and excitement. However, it can also be a time of stress and disappointment for both host families and au pairs. Here are some ideas and insights that will hopefully help you avoid stress and disappointment and share more of the joy and excitement! Holiday Read More

Host Family Hints for Success: Better Communication

Au pairs often reach out to me to discuss concerns they have. The first question I always ask is whether they have brought it up to their host parents yet. The answer is normally no. I suggest to them to bring it up at their next routine check-in meeting with their host parents, because host Read More

Keeping Kids Safer Around the Water

When hot summer weather hits, the pool and beaches are popular places to cool off. Allowing children to enjoy the water safely is extremely important. We have compiled some information to help host parents and au pairs when supervising children around water. Here are some quick facts that you may find surprising… Au Pair in Read More

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18

father and child

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 18. If you are looking for gifts you can help your host children make, check out the Au Pair in America pinboard.   Father’s Day Ideas Father’s Day was first celebrated in the United States on June 19, 1910. But it wasn’t until 1972, that it became a nationwide Read More

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 the summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays, vacations, and international travel. Holidays Host families are not required to give au pairs off on any Read More

Host Family Hints to Help Your Au Pair Match Flourish

Host parents have many responsibilities and are often very busy. Maintaining a good relationship with your au pair is essential and can prevent many potential issues. Below are a few simple things you can do to help your au pair match flourish. Communication – Make time every couple of weeks for a check-in conversation. Read More

How to Handle Transportation Costs

Program rules dictate several situations when the host parents are required to cover an au pair’s transportation costs. Aside from those specific requirements, there are some things to consider when deciding how to handle an au pair’s personal transportation. Situations when host parents are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: To/from cluster Read More