Category Archives: Uncategorized

Saying goodbye….

Beautiful girl, you can do hard things.

Today I did what I have done many times before – I said goodbye to yet another extraordinary young woman. She had finished her time here as an au pair and she was heading home. Home to familiar faces and lots of new experiences. We sat having coffee for one last time, reflecting on her experiences in the US and discussed the new opportunities she would be embarking on. Some exciting, some a bit scary, one thing was clear…she was forever changed during her time here in the US. She had traveled, studied, grown in her independence, made a bunch of amazing friends from all over the world and learned a lot about herself in the process. She has made a close connection with two host families, a life long kind of connection.  She made a connection with me.

Tonight as I watched an amazing sunset, I reflected on what my role is in this process for the au pair.  Many have said I am like a second mom to them, others consider me a friend, some have more of a distant, casual relationship. I am good with any one of these.  I have the privilege of helping them in a small portion of their journey. I can support and encourage and educate them. I can provide them with opportunities to explore the US and it’s customs, foods, cultures. We can share idioms and find common ground. I personally love to watch these amazing young women transform literally before my eyes. They do not leave the same. They all grow and change and experience.

I’ve sat with young women who are suffering from homesickness, worry for a loved one, or are missing a special family event. I’ve shared Christmas with an au pair, I’ve tried an amazing collection of foods from other countries. I’ve watched them experience their first Halloween, their first snow (some of them), I have helped plan education and travel, offered countless hugs, sat with sick ones, held them as they cry in sadness. I have redirected, cheered, and encouraged them. I have a saying with the au pairs, Beautiful girl, you can do hard things!

I have grown and changed too. With each new au pair comes a new experience, new adventures, new cultures to learn about. I am forever changed…

Saying goodbye isn’t really goodbye. I am connected still to many of them, though we are thousands of miles apart. We have email, social media, skype, etc. I see posts and catch glimpses of their lives. For many, I am still cheering, still encouraging, still connected.

To the young woman who left today….

Beautiful girl, you can do hard things….I know today is full of conflicting emotions. You are a bit sad to leave, maybe wishing for more time, more opportunities. Excited to go home and be with your family, snuggle that new nephew, move into a flat with your best friend and follow your dreams.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your life experience. It is an honor.

Texting and Child Care

Carissa Rogers

Across the world, children are being injured at increasing rates. Many of these accidents are due to the simple fact that care providers are spending more time looking at their phones than keeping close watch on the children. In the time that it takes to look and respond to one text message, a child could sustain a serious injury. Remember to always keep close watch on the child, keep the phone in your pocket.

Please read this before you choose to text while providing care.

Photo by Carissa Rogers

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated nationwide each year on the last Monday in May.  On Memorial Day weekend people visit cemeteries to honor those who have died in military service, placing flowers and American flags on graves and in parks. Cynthia Chan

This holiday weekend is also known for family gatherings, trips to the beach and participation in parades. For many Americans memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer.  Families enjoy picnics or barbecues and open the swimming pool for the summer season.  Typical Memorial Day food includes hamburgers, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, grilled meats,watermelon and corn on the cob.

Spring Forward This Weekend

mclcbooks

Daylight Savings time in the United States begins at 2.00am on Sunday morning.  This means you move the clock hands forward by an hour when you go to bed on Saturday night.  It is also interesting to note that time changes in other countries may not be happening this weekend.  Most of Europe does not change until the last Sunday in March.  For more information about the history and why we do this check out, http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/

Photo: mclcbooks

SNOW is coming!!!

As we prepare for what looks like our first good snowfall of the season, a few reminders!

*If you have school aged kids who will be home due to school closures, this will change your work hours. Host parents and au pairs should work together to adjust the schedule as needed to stay within the regulations from the Dept. of State. Remember, no more than 10 hours per day and no more than 45 hours per work week. Host parents should be cognizant of this and if you are home too, look at having the au pair start late or end early. You can also choose a middle of the day break, but remember, a meaningful break is three hours minimum. The key here is to be flexible and prepared!

*Winter fun! Check out our Pinterest boards for some great ideas on beating the winter blues! Do you want to build a snowman (inside where it’s warm)? Check out the Olaf activity. How about “painting” snow? We can show you how! Make sure you bundle up when heading outside. Don’t forget hot chocolate or tea when you come back in!

Winter FUN on Pinterest

 

Michelle Tribe

Photo by Michelle Tribe

Thanksgiving

General Mills

The Thanksgiving holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. It became an official holiday in 1863, when President Lincoln was in office. It is a very important part of the American culture, it is a time of homecoming and giving thanks for provision, health, family, etc. Many people travel to homes of family members. Those not residing close to family often gather with friends.

Meal items vary, but a typical meal would include turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie for dessert! Each family creates their dinners slightly differently, paying homage to the uniqueness in all of our preferences and backgrounds. In my home, we add Italian sage sausage to our stuffing. We make the cranberry sauce from scratch (super easy and soooo good) and always have several different types of appetizers out before the meal, from simple things to a few elaborate offerings.

As a way of giving thanks, we like to collect slips of paper from each family member or friend in attendance. On it, we have asked each person to write down something they are thankful for. After they are collected, we read them out loud. People guess who wrote what statement, although most of the time it is very obvious!

-Photo by General Mills

Halloween Safety and Fall Fun!

What’s on our Pinterest Page? Check out our Au Pair in America fall season board on Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/fall-halloween-thanksgiving/  We have lots of ideas for Halloween, fall and Thanksgiving including crafts, recipes, coloring pages, games and fun treats for the kids.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween can be a lot of fun but it is also a time when safety should come first.

Here are some tips for you:

· Adult supervision is essential. Always accompany the children if they are going door to door to trick or treat

· Try trick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure the children only visit houses with lights on. Houses with lights off are not participating. Remember, look for houses to visit that have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch or in the yard.  Remind the children to say Thank you!

· Stay outside. Make sure the children don’t go inside someone’s house. They can trick or treat on the porch. Some families set up at the end of their driveway near the street.

· Remain visible. Dress the children in bright costumes or have them wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight. Make sure you carry one too.

· Quality-check treats. Check the candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.

· Say “no” to strangers. Remind the children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.

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October is Month of the Young Adolescent

Parque do Ibirapuera

Dedicated 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.

This is a hard time for many young people, lots of changes, lots of challenges, feelings and emotions. Some days that awesome kid isn’t so awesome. Some days, ok, lots of days, may not be great days for them and they may seem preoccupied, moody, distant and they may even say things that aren’t always nice. Remember to keep your cool, be consistent, even if they are emotionally all over the place. Keep trying to connect, but also give them space.

Photo: Marlon Dias

 

 

 

Federal & School Holidays

The public school children will be off several days in September and October. These are regular workdays for an au pair, unless your host parents tell you otherwise. As with any “school holiday” start making plans for activities with the kids now.

In addition to holidays, many public schools are also out additional days (or early dismissals) for teacher development and the end of the grading period. As with any holiday, it is up to the host family’s schedule whether you will have the holiday off. Please check with your host families before you assume you have this day off. Do not make any travel plans until you have received confirmation that you will not work on this day.

Host parents, please check your schedule to make sure that you are factoring in these hours and make adjustments as needed to stay within the State Department regulations not exceeding 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week.