Author Archive
Au pairs and holiday homesickness
November 23rd, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Au pairs and holiday homesickness
Au pairs are college-aged people who are spending a year in the U.S. learning about our traditions and sharing their own. (Along with childcare and classes!) So is it any wonder that many of them develop a small touch of homesickness around the holidays? So talk about holiday traditions and expectations. She may have some […]
Thanksgiving craft ideas!
November 21st, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Thanksgiving craft ideas!
Thanksgiving is an American holiday (as well as other countries) where we, naturally, give thanks for our family, friends, etc. It is always on the fourth Thursday in November. It originally celebrated a good harvest, which explains why it is in the end of fall. Now it also signifies the beginning of the ‘holiday season’, […]
Holidays and cultural exchange
November 16th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Holidays and cultural exchange
Holidays are exciting times for children! There are special foods, clothing, decorations, music, and gatherings. With an au pair, the excitement becomes even greater because they get to share the au pair’s traditions as well as their own. For example, Northern European traditions include celebrating St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th) when children put shoes outside […]
Back to school
August 28th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Back to school
School is coming for most children. In Minnesota, school generally starts the day after Labor Day, although Minneapolis, and a few other places, start the week before. With a few breaks, the school year will run until around the first week of June. School-day mornings can be a hectic time, with kids running around trying […]
Au Pair Classes
August 21st, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Au Pair Classes
As part of their visa requirements, au pairs are required to take classes at an accredited institution of higher learning, which generally would be a college or university. They can take any course they want, and it can be for credit or as part of a continuing education or extension program. Au Pair in America […]
State Fair Time
August 14th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on State Fair Time
The Great Minnesota Get-Together is coming up fast! Minnesota has the absolute greatest state fair of any state! (That may be subjective…) But we do have 12 days to celebrating everything that’s special about Minnesota, especially our agricultural roots. There is an entire section dedicated to farm machinery! There is also a Midway with rides […]
International Women's Day
March 7th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on International Women's Day
Friday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day! This day helps to jumpstart the month of March, which has now been named National Women’s History Month in the United States . International Women’s Day is celebrated in 176 countries and allows women worldwide to connect, celebrate and honor womens past, present, and future. On this day […]
Mardi Gras
February 10th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday” marks the end of Carnival and the beginning of the Christian fasting of Lent. The biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the US is in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil also has a huge celebration. Find a Brazilian au pair in your cluster and ask her to […]
Gung Hay Fat Choy (I think that's right!)
February 8th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Gung Hay Fat Choy (I think that's right!)
Feb. 10 is the beginning ofChinese New Year ~ The Year of the Snake. The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. The most spectacular event of the Chinese New Year festivities is the Lion Dance. If there is a Chinatown […]
Super Bowl Sunday
January 30th, 2013by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Super Bowl Sunday
The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials! People will be talking about the commercials for days. To learn more about football visit the “Life […]
