Tag Archives: family

Thanksgiving Tips for Host Parents & Au Pairs

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in 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

  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)

$1 Summer Movies for Kids

When the kids are out of school for the summer, one place to cool off is at the movie theater. Below are three theaters in different parts of our cluster area that are offering $1 kid’s movies each week of the summer. Regal Summer Movie Express

Tips to maximize your movie enjoyment:

  • Movie admission is $1, but bring additional money for popcorn and/or drinks, if desired.
  • I suggest you arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a good place to sit.  Some of the movies can be very popular and fill up.
  • Have all the kids make a bathroom stop before going into the movie.
  • Do your homework and google the movie that’s playing in advance to make sure it will be a good one for your child/ren.
  • As with any outing, ask your host parents before taking the child/ren to the movies.

After the movie, do activities related to the movie:

  • Ask the children what were their favorite parts of the movie.
  • Find crafts related to the movie to complete with them.
  • Let the children act out parts of the movies.  Use household items as props and dress up in costumes to make it more fun.

June 19- Aug 22, Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

Each week, both movies play on both days. 

BOWIE STADIUM 14 – 15200 Major Lansdale Blvd, Bowie, MD

REGAL HYATTSVILLE ROYALE STADIUM 14 – 6503 America Blvd, Hyattsville, MD

REGAL WAUGH CHAPEL – 1419 S. Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD
  • 6/19-20 – Storks & Mr. Peabody & Sherman
  • 6/26-27 – Despicable Me 2 & How to Train Your Dragon 2
  • 7/3-4 – The Lego Movie & Alvin and the Chipmunks
  • 7/10-11 – Sing & The Peanuts Movie
  • 7/17-18 – The Lego Ninjago Movie & Ferdinand
  • 7/24-25 – The Secret Life of Pets & Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
  • 7/31-8/1 – The Lego Batman Movie & Trolls
  • 8/7-8 – Minions & The Boss Baby
  • 8/14-15 – Paddington 2 & Captain Underpants
  • 8/21-22 –Despicable Me 3  & Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

$1 Summer Movies for Kids

When the kids are out of school for the summer, one place to cool off is at the movie theater. Below are three theaters in different parts of our cluster area that are offering $1 kid’s movies each week of the summer. Regal Summer Movie Express

Tips to maximize your movie enjoyment:

  • Movie admission is $1, but bring additional money for popcorn and/or drinks, if desired.
  • I suggest you arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a good place to sit.  Some of the movies can be very popular and fill up.
  • Have all the kids make a bathroom stop before going into the movie.
  • Do your homework and google the movie that’s playing in advance to make sure it will be a good one for your child/ren.
  • As with any outing, ask your host parents before taking the child/ren to the movies.
  • If you take the kids to the movie in Silver Spring, check out the fountain in Silver Plaza afterwards. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes for the kids.  It’s hard to resist splashing in the fountain.

After the movie, do activities related to the movie:

  • Ask the children what were their favorite parts of the movie.
  • Find crafts related to the movie to complete with them.
  • Let the children act out parts of the movies.  Use household items as props and dress up in costumes to make it more fun.

June 21- Aug 17, Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

Each week, both movies play on both days. 

BOWIE STADIUM 14 – 15200 Major Lansdale Blvd, Bowie, MD

MAJESTIC STADIUM 20 & IMAX – 900 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring MD

REGAL WAUGH CHAPEL – 1419 S. Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD
  • Week 1 – The Lego Movie & Max
  • Week 2 – Goosebumps & The Iron Giant: Signature Edition
  • Week 3 – Pan & The Smurfs 2
  • Week 4 – Despicable Me 2 & Home
  • Week 5 – Minions & The Peanuts Movie
  • Week 6 – Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip & Curious George
  • Week 7 – The Book of Life & Hotel Transylvania 2
  • Week 8 – Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 & Shaun The Sheep
  • Week 9 – The Croods & Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

October is Month of the Young Adolescent

Parque do IbirapueraDedicated to ages 10-15 this serves as a reminder of the insecurity of young adolescents. Help the young adolescents you care for to recognize their abilities. Help to make home a safe and comfortable place where it is okay to learn from mistakes. Help them to learn about the adult values of hard work, family and discipline.

Even though kids this age are typically pretty independent and may seem like they don’t need or want much interaction from an au pair, this is not completely true. They still enjoy when you take an interest in their activities.  Find ways to connect with them through shared interests or let them introduce you to things they care about.

Photo: Marlon Dias

2014 Au Pair in America DC Regional Cultural Fair

Print

Au Pair in America is hosting a DC Regional Cultural Fair

Au pairs representing over 35 different countries will provide: children’s activities, performances, visual displays, face painting and a cultural parade. This event is open to the public. Anyone interested in learning about other cultures and the Au Pair in America program are invited.

SBW03BruceDouglas

Saturday, April 5, 2014
1:00-3:00 PM
Spanish Ballroom
Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812


For more information, please contact Christine Connally at cconnallyaupair @ gmail.com or 301-860-1314.

Free & $1 Summer Kid's Movies

When the kids are out of school for the summer, one place to cool off is at the movie theater. Below are three theaters in different parts of our cluster area that are offering $1 or free kid’s movies each week of the summer.

Tips to maximize your free movie enjoyment:

  • Movie admission is $1, but bring additional money for popcorn and/or drinks, if desired.
  • I suggest you arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a good place to sit.  Some of the movies can be very popular and fill up.
  • Have all the kids make a bathroom stop before going into the movie.
  • Do your homework and google the movie that’s playing in advance to make sure it will be a good one for your child/ren.
  • As with any outing, ask your host parents before taking the child/ren to the movies.
  • If you take the kids to the movie in Silver Spring, check out the fountain in Silver Plaza afterwards. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes for the kids.  It’s hard to resist splashing in the fountain.

After the movie, do activities related to the movie:

  • Ask the children what were their favorite parts of the movie.
  • Find crafts related to the movie to complete with them.
  • Let the children act out parts of the movies.  Use household items as props and dress up in costumes to make it more fun.

BOWIE STADIUM 14

15200 Major Lansdale Blvd, Bowie, MD, 301-262-9133

Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

6/11-6/12   The Three Stooges (PG), Ice Age: Continental Drift (PG)

6/18-6/19   Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG), Parental Guidance (PG)

6/25-6/26   Mr. Poppers’ Penguins (PG), Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G)

7/2-7/3       Monte Carlo (PG), Rio (G)

7/9-7/10     Coraline (PG), Paranorman (PG)

7/16-7/17   Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG), Big Miracle (PG)

7/23-7/24   Yogi Bear (PG), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)

7/30-7/31   Racing Stripes (PG), Happy Feet Too (PG)

8/6-8/7       African Cats (PG), Chimpanzee (PG)


MAJESTIC STADIUM 20 & IMAX

900 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring MD, 301-565-8884

Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

6/18-6/19   The Three Stooges (PG), Ice Age: Continental Drift (PG)

6/25-6/26   Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG), Parental Guidance (PG)

7/2-7/3       Mr. Poppers’ Penguins (PG), Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G)

7/9-7/10     Monte Carlo (PG), Rio (G)

7/16-7/17   Coraline (PG), Paranorman (PG)

7/23-7/24   Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG), Big Miracle (PG)

7/30-7/31   Yogi Bear (PG), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)

8/6-8/7       Racing Stripes (PG), Happy Feet Too (PG)

8/13-8/14   African Cats (PG), Chimpanzee (PG)


Annapolis Harbour 9 (FREE)

2474 Solomons Island Rd, Annapolis, MD, 410-224-1145

Doors open at 9 am, Movie starts at 10 am

6/25-6/26   Puss in Boots (PG)

7/2-7/3       Megamind (PG)

7/9-7/10     Rise of the Guardians (PG)

7/16-7/17   Madagascar 3 (PG)

7/23-7/24   Adventures of Tintin (PG)

7/30-7/31 Hugo (PG)

8/6-8/7       How to Train Your Dragon (PG)

8/13-8/14   Rango (PG)

8/20-8/21   Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)

City of Bowie International Festival is Tomorrow, 10/6

For the past several years our cluster has participated in the City of Bowie International Festival.  It is a wonderful event that brings thousands of people from all over the area who want to sample a variety of cultures from around the globe.  We provide free children’s activities.  Some years our  we have had over 700 children visit our booth!!!

It looks like we will have a nice fall day tomorrow and let’s hope the rain stays away.

Depending on when you stop by, you might join us to do one of the following:

  • writing your name in Thai
  • learning the colors in various languages
  • map games
  • flag games
  • temporary tattoos
  • getting your hand painted with the flag of Mexico, Italy, Peru, Colombia or Germany

The City of Bowie International Festival will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012, 11 am-5pm at Allen Pond Park, Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716.

This event is FREE, Family-Friendly and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

August 12th is Middle Child Day

Middle Child Day gives a little recognition to the unique middle child in the family. For au pairs and host parents of three children, you likely know the “Middle Child Syndrome” all too well. If you grew up the middle child with both older and younger siblings, you know the feeling from a very personal perspective. It has been suggested that the middle child tends to be more introverted, quieter, perhaps a bit of a loner.  Make today special for the middle child in your life.

Free & $1 Summer Movies!

When the kids are out of school for the summer, one place to cool off is at the movie theater. Below are three theaters in different parts of our cluster area that are offering $1 or free kid’s movies each week of the summer.

popcorn

Tips to maximize your free movie enjoyment:

  • Movie admission is $1, but bring additional money for popcorn and/or drinks, if desired.
  • I suggest you arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a good place to sit.  Some of the movies can be very popular and fill up.
  • Have all the kids make a bathroom stop before going into the movie.
  • Do your homework and google the movie that’s playing in advance to make sure it will be a good one for your child/ren.
  • As with any outing, ask your host parents before taking the child/ren to the movies.
  • If you take the kids to the movie in Silver Spring, check out the fountain in Silver Plaza afterwards. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes for the kids.  It’s hard to resist splashing in the fountain.

    • After the movie, do activities related to the movie:

  • Ask the children what were their favorite parts of the movie.
  • Find crafts related to the movie to complete with them.
  • Let the children act out parts of the movies.  Use household items as props and dress up in costumes to make it more fun.

    • BOWIE STADIUM 14

    15200 Major Lansdale Blvd, Bowie, MD, 301-262-9133

    Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

    6/12-6/13 – JOURNEY 2 & KIT KITTREDGE: AMERICAN GIRL
    6/19-6/20 – DOLPHIN TALE & HAPPY FEET TWO
    6/26-6/27 – LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS & YOGI BEAR
    7/3-7/4 – CATS & DOGS: REVENGE & HUGO
    7/10-7/11 – ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN & PUSS IN BOOTS
    7/17-7/18 – KUNG FU PANDA 2 & RANGO
    7/24-7/25 – RIO & SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME
    7/31-8/1 – CHIMPANZEE & HOODWINKED TOO
    8/7-8/8 – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS & SMURFS

    MAJESTIC STADIUM 20 & IMAX

    900 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring MD, 301-565-8884

    Doors open at 9:30 am, Movie starts at 10 am

    6/19-6/20 – JOURNEY 2 & KIT KITTREDGE: AMERICAN GIRL
    6/26-6/27 – DOLPHIN TALE & HAPPY FEET TWO
    7/3-7/4  – LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS & YOGI BEAR
    7/10-7/11  – CATS & DOGS: REVENGE & HUGO
    7/17-7/18 – ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN & PUSS IN BOOTS
    7/24-7/25  – KUNG FU PANDA 2 & RANGO
    7/31-8/1  – RIO & SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME
    8/7-8/8  – CHIMPANZEE & HOODWINKED TOO
    8/14-8/15  – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS & SMURFS

    Annapolis Harbour 9 (FREE)

    2474 Solomons Island Rd, Annapolis, MD, 410-224-1145

    Doors open at 9 am, Movie starts at 10 am

    6/19-6/20 – CATS & DOGS: REVENGE
    6/26-6/27 – LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS
    7/3-7/4  –  YOGI BEAR
    7/10-7/11  – HAPPY FEET TWO
    7/17-7/18 – JOURNEY 2
    7/24-7/25  – DOLPHIN TALE
    7/31-8/1  – SHORTS
    8/7-8/8  – INKHEART
    8/14-8/15  – HAPPY FEET