Posts Filed in ‘Host Family Tips’ Category
Back to School (cue ominous music)
August 18th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Back to School (cue ominous music)
August means back to school for many of us! Shopping, organizing, waiting to see what friends are in your class — it’s all a lot of kids can think about as August marches on. My kids always wanted to get their school supplies the day they hit Target so they could rearrange their backpacks over […]
APIA ongoing au pair training
August 11th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on APIA ongoing au pair training
Au Pair in America is committed to providing the best possible childcare to your family. Au pairs get ongoing training in childcare and related topics throughout their year, both at their monthly cluster meetings and in online webinars. Webinars are scheduled roughly every week throughout the year. Recent topics have included things like: Toilet Training […]
Au pair extension program
April 18th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Au pair extension program
Au pairs come on a 12 month, J-1 visa. If they complete the requirements for their first year, they can extend with the program for up to a second year. This can be great for families who want to have the continuity of two full years with the same person. No learning curve! Au pairs […]
Severe Weather Awareness Month
April 11th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on 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 […]
Why should I get an au pair?
April 2nd, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Why should I get an au pair?
Well, not everyone should, to be honest. Families that need someone to care for their kids while they are out of town on business, for example, may not find an au pair the best solution. Families that live in smaller homes that don’t have an extra bedroom would not be suitable. But for many families, […]
Au Pairs – Myth versus Reality!
January 26th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Au Pairs – Myth versus Reality!
There are a bunch of misconceptions about au pairs, so I thought I would try to put together one document that clears up the ones I personally hear most often. First, having an au pair is affordable. An au pair costs about $370 per family per week (plus room and board.) The average cost of care […]
Winter Safety – Sledding!
January 10th, 2016by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on Winter Safety – Sledding!
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 […]
Winter holidays
November 23rd, 2015by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on 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 […]
Winter Survival Skills
November 19th, 2015by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on 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 […]
Summer and Swimming Safety
June 16th, 2015by Jennifer Harriss | Comments Off on 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 […]
