Category Archives: Au Pair Tips

Winter Storm Warning and what to do

Now is the time of year when we hear about winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings, etc. What are you supposed to do about that?

A winter storm is a snowstorm that has a lot of snow and/or winds that blow the snow around so you can’t see. A winter storm watch means the conditions are right for a storm, and a winter storm warning means there is a storm on the way. A blizzard warning means that there will be a BAD winter storm. An ice warning means that there will be ice on the roads, on the cars, everywhere.

Many people try to stock up so they can just stay in the house for a few days – watch the weather reports and grab a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread before the storm is supposed to hit. People can get lost in falling, blowing snow. Even just going to the mailbox! The storms never last that long, so most likely you will be able to wait until it’s over before going outside.

Driving in the snow is a lot like any winter driving – take everything, every single thing, slower than normal. Start slower, give yourself more time to stop, slow way down before you turn. Don’t panic if you slide or even spin – try to steer where you want to go because eventually you will be able to control the car again. Watch out for other drivers! Even if your light has turned green, make sure the cross traffic is able to stop before you go out in front of them.

Carry things like gloves or mittens, blankets, ice scrapers, and windshield washer fluid in the car. I always stick a pair of those $1.00 stretchy gloves in the pocket of any coat I might want to wear in case I forget my real gloves – they are way better than nothing. (But try not to get them wet.)

Dress in layers and dress kids in several layers. That way if they get too warm, they can take off their hoodie and still wear their coat. Au pairs need to get instructions from host parents on exactly how to dress the kids for winter, and they need to follow those instructions!

Winter in Minnesota is something everyone here has to deal with. Most of the time it can be fun! But when there’s a storm coming, please take care of yourself and your kids.

 

Winter Driving Safety Tips

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Winter Driving Safety Tips from the Minnesota Safety Council – Long but worth it!
WINTER DRIVING TIPS

In addition to the basic safe driving habits we practice all year long – buckling up, driving alert and sober, and driving at a safe and legal speed – be aware of extra steps you can take during the winter months.

Make sure your car is ready for the season and that the brakes, battery, exhaust and cooling systems, headlights, fluids, windshield wipers and washers are all in proper working order. Throughout the winter, keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze.

Keep close tabs on the weather. Avoid traveling, especially alone, if severe weather is forecast. Before taking a trip, inform someone at your destination of your expected arrival time and your route.

Keep an emergency survival kit in the car. It should include:
a working flashlight and road flares
an ice scraper, snow brush and shovel
jumper cables, tow chain and a toolkit
a blanket, warm clothes, boots, hat and gloves
a metal bucket or coffee can, small candle and matches or a disposable lighter
a brightly colored square of cloth such as a bandanna
basic first aid kit
a large plastic garbage bag (can be used to insulate feet, legs and torso)
a bag of sand, salt or cat litter to use for traction when tire is stuck
high energy, non-perishable foods (granola bars, unsalted nuts, dried fruits)

If your car has been outside during a snowfall, brush all the snow off before setting out. Snow left on the front hood will blow into the front vent and cause defrosting problems, and can also melt and re-freeze on the windshield. Snow on the roof will cover the rear window and snow on the rear deck will blow onto tail lights. Pay particular attention to cleaning off headlights and tail lights so that other motorists can see you.

Adjust your speed to the conditions and increase following distances. Remember that bridges and overpasses can be more slippery than other parts of the road. If you begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and gently turn the wheel in the direction you want the car to go. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) apply a steady firm pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump ABS brakes.

Check that your cell phone is fully charged for use during emergencies. Because driving requires your full attention, be sure to find a safe place to pull over when you need to make a call.

If You Get Stranded While Traveling…
Stay with your vehicle. Don’t try to walk to safety – you’re safer staying in your vehicle.
Call for help on your cell phone
Make yourself visible. Tie a brightly colored (preferably red) banner or cloth on your antenna or hang it out a window. After the snowfall ends, raise the hood of your engine to indicate trouble.
Run vehicle for ten minutes every hour.Operate the heater and keep your overhead light on to remain visible for rescuers. Keep the exhaust pipe clear to prevent fumes from entering the vehicle, and always leave a down-wind window open slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, keep the radiator free of snow to prevent overheating.
Keep moving. From time to time vigorously move your arms, fingers, legs and toes to keep blood circulating and to stay warm. Avoid over-doing it. It is important not to get hot and sweaty because wet clothing loses its insulating ability. If you are with others, huddle together for warmth and sleep in shifts.
Acknowledgments:
National Safety Council

Severe Weather Awareness Month

April is Sever Weather Awareness Month and it’s important to be ready. Late spring is when we see a large number of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, so here’s how to handle that.

A severe thunderstorm is one which may include any or all of the following: frequent lightning strikes, which can be extremely dangerous, high winds, hail, and heavy rain with street flooding.

A tornado is a specific kind of storm where winds and air pressure combine to create a funnel cloud. This spins around in a circle and creates crazy wind speed. Depending on the severity, trees can be knocked into houses, houses can be blown down, windows can shatter and strew broken glass everywhere.

IF a severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch is announced, that means  that conditions are right for bad weather to develop. Mainly just be aware of what’s going on outside at this point – maybe don’t get too far from shelter. I would turn the TV on or listen to the radio to see if there is anything near me.

If a severe thunderstorm warning or a tornado warning are announced, that means they have identified an actual storm in your area. Sirens will go off and they will definitely break into programming to give you information. If the warning is for a thunderstorm, keep everyone inside and away from windows – sometimes hail can break a window, or lightning can strike right through it.

If the warning is for a tornado, DROP EVERYTHING, Grab the kids and go to a safe part of the basement – away from windows, and also in a sturdy place – under the staircase can be perfect. Stay there until you hear that things are all clear – sometimes tornadoes can come in waves, so just because one has gone by doesn’t mean the danger is over. Try to keep the kids calm by singing or reading to them.

Families probably want to have things like a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and maybe a blanket ready in the basement in case of severe weather.

 

St. Patrick’s Day in the US

St. Patrick’s Day is a pretty popular holiday here in the US. It’s not much like St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, which I understand is a pretty typical religious minor holiday. Here, it’s mainly an excuse to have fun.

Many Americans wear green on March 17th, and at some schools the other kids will pinch you if you don’t. There will be parades and parties, where people eat corned beef and cabbage and soda bread. In Chicago they dye the river green.  Here in the Twin Cities, we kind of go nuts. I’ve been told that more people claim to be Irish in St. Paul than in Ireland, although I don’t know if that’s true. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have parades.

Kids enjoy the fun too, learning about leprechauns and four leafed clovers and that kind of thing. You can also plan an Irish lunch or dinner for the whole family. Here’s a link to a page with craft ideas and recipes: http://spoonful.com/st-patricks-day.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are much more American than Irish, so don’t expect too much green food if you ever do spend it on the Emerald Isle. Just sayin’….

St. Valentine’s Day

Hey – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Are you ready?

In the United States, kids almost always celebrate some form of Valentine’s Day. At my school, we are calling it Friendship Day, but it will be otherwise the same as it was waaaaay back when I was in elementary school: kids will bring little cards for each other, and they will be exchanged at a party toward the end of the day when most serious learning is done. Generally, children are expected to bring something for everyone if they bring anything, so no one gets hurt feelings. Even in preschools, this ritual is carried out.

You may have seen the boxes of Valentine’s cards in Target or Cub recently. They are inexpensive and easy, and they are what almost everyone will give out. Some of the kids will tape a mini-candy bar to the envelope to add that special touch. But if you have time, or if you don’t need 32 cards by Friday, think about handmade valentines. They can be so much more meaningful. You could work with your kids to make a card that represents your own culture. If you feel like doing something personal but not for dozens of kids, think about making something special for the teacher.

Our Pinterest Valentine’s Day page http://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/valentine-s-day/ has a TON of ideas on how to make this a truly special day.

Some background about Valentine’s Day: Valentine was a 3rd century Roman saint who died on February 14th. That is all that we know for sure. There have been many legends built up supporting him as the saint of courtly love, but none of them appear to be in any way factual. Feb. 14th is a feast day for Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Eastern Orthodox religions. However, in the US Valentine’s Day has very little to do with religion. It is a day for giving flowers and chocolate, and going out to a fancy dinner with the one you love. Lots of people get engaged on this day. But for kids, it’s usually about giving and getting cards and maybe some candy.

Try to inject the spirit of love and kindness into everything you do, every day, but particularly on Valentine’s Day!

Winter Safety – Sledding!

Tubing au pairs

Kind of a theme – winter safety!

SLEDDING SAFETY TIPS from the Minnesota Safety Council
CHOOSING A SLED
Look for solid construction – avoid homemade sleds, inflatable sleds that could be punctured, and equipment with sharp edges. Energy-absorbing seat pads will help cushion jolts to the spine.
Examine sleds to be sure handholds are secure and steering works easily.

FINDING A SAFE SLEDDING LOCATION
Look for an area that has been designated as a safe place to sled. Injuries are most likely to occur on poorly lit, unsupervised hills with obstacles such as rocks, tree trunks, etc. Check for signs posted by local police or parks and recreation departments.
Check that the sledding area has adequate space at the bottom to allow the sled to come to a complete stop. It should be far from traffic and water, and free of obstacles such as rocks and trees.
Be alert to hidden hazards under mounds of snow.
Don’t let children sled on ice.

Provide adult supervision as appropriate for children’s age and abilities.
Before sledding, remind children of the basics: Encourage them to sit up with feet forward (lying flat on the sled increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries), and to roll off the sled if they’re about to collide with a tree or other large or hard object.

Dress children appropriately for the temperature and in multiple layers. Outerwear should be water- and wind-resistant and free of drawstrings, which could pose a strangulation hazard.

It is recommended that kids wear helmets when they sled. Although a helmet has not yet been designed specifically for sledding, until such a helmet exists, wearing a bicycle, skateboard or ski helmet may be preferable to wearing no helmet at all.
Source: Safe Kids Worldwide

Winter holidays

This is the time of year when many families have special celebrations. It’s a great time to take advantage of the cultural exchange part of the program – au pairs usually have their own holiday traditions to share, and they are usually interested in learning about their host family’s traditions.

Ask her if she has any special rituals, recipes, or other activities that she would like to share with you. For example, a Swedish au pair may prepare St. Lucia rolls for her family on December 13th. A Mexican au pair may make a special pinata. An Israeli au pair may have a special Menorah to share.

Holidays are also a big trigger for homesickness, so try to be aware of any mood changes. Try to remember that your au pair is someone’s daughter, far from home at a special time of year. If she needs additional support please reach out to me. I’m happy to help!

Take a few minutes to talk about work expectations with your au pair. School will be out for about 2 weeks, so her schedule will change. Be sure you are still following program rules! Also, holidays are working days for au pairs, but it’s possible she may want to spend Thanksgiving with a friend, so try to work that stuff out before plans are finalized.

Every culture has some kind of festival they celebrate, and they can be a fun way to learn new things about each other. My family puts out cheese for Santa Mouse every year…. what about you?

Winter Survival Skills

Winter is almost upon us! We’ve had a lovely fall, one of the nicest I remember, but it can’t last until April. Take a few minutes soon to talk to your au pair about winter safety.

Be sure there is a kit with blankets, mittens, water, etc. in the car – there are lots of examples online of what to include. Mine has reflective blanket thingies for everyone, a container to melt snow, and chocolate bars, but I do a lot more driving around the state than most au pairs.

Go over your expectations for dressing the kids, and don’t assume anything. For example, do they wear snowsuits every day or only when they will be playing in the snow? Do they wear hats under hoods all the time, or only when the temperature is below zero? Don’t forget to talk about layers – you don’t want kids to get too warm and take off their only jacket when they’re playing outside.

Driving in the snow is a huge concern. And if you’ve ever had the misfortune to drive during the first big snowstorm, you know it’s not just au pairs who need a refresher. Talk to them in advance about accelerating slower, braking longer, and what to do in case she spins out of control (steer where you want to go.) When there is a little snow on the ground, take her out somewhere safe and have her practice before she needs to drive the kids around.

Outdoor sports can make our long cold winter a lot more bearable – but please, please make sure your au pair has coverage for sports-related injuries before she hits the slopes (or the ice rink, or even the sledding hill.) I can help if she isn’t sure what her coverage is.

There are lots of places to go for au pairs desperate for fresh greenery. The Como Park Conservatory, for example, has flowers year round. So does the Cowles Conservatory at the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden. Edinborough has an indoor park with a playground for the kids, and even Nickelodeon Universe has live landscaping that brightens the spirit and oxygenates the air year round. So get out there!

Link

A lot of au pairs have LOTS of stuff to get home at the end of their year. European au pairs (only) can use this service. I haven’t used them, and they are not in any way affiliated with APIA, but I know au pairs often need this kind of thing.

If anyone knows of other ways to get your stuff home, let me know!

http://www.polonezparcelservice.com/en/index

Summer and Swimming Safety

This link is something I shared a year ago, but it’s so important I want to share it at least once a year. We think we know what it looks like when someone is drowning and we are WRONG. Please take the time to read this. It only takes a minute for a child to get in trouble in the water and this could literally help you save a life.

http://tinyurl.com/kd8mltf