Tag Archives: winter

Make Your Own Play Dough

Play dough is the perfect modeling material for children. Their small hands can pat, poke, pinch, roll and knead it into many shapes. Keep it in an airtight container to use another day, or let it air dry into favorite shapes.

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Measure 2 cups of flour, one cup of salt and 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of oil to one cup of water in a separate bowl then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. For colored play dough, squeeze 10-20 drops of food coloring into the water before you add it to the mixture. Cook the dough at low heat in a wide pan, stirring constantly until it becomes rubbery. Remove the dough from the heat and knead it for a few minutes. When it cools the kids can play too!

Photo: Kevin Jarrett (Flickr)

Avoiding Homesickness this Holiday Season

Homesickness can be a problem during the holidays, even if it hasn’t been at any other time of the year. Au pairs often miss their friends and family, familiar places and their own traditions and customs. The holiday activities in the United States seem, and may actually be, different just at a time when an au pair would welcome something familiar. 

It is common for au pairs’ emotions to be close to the surface during the holidays. Her highs are higher, her lows are lower. The enormity of what she has done–actually living in another country (which is an amazing thing when you think about it!)–hits her and throws her into a self-protective mode.

Host parents can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your specific family activities will be (gifts, meals, visitors, religious services, in-home traditions, or none of these, as the case may be.) In the spirit of cultural exchange, ask her if she has any favorite holiday traditions or foods that you might be able to incorporate into your family’s celebration of the season. Let her know what you will be doing, when you will be doing it, and what she can expect. Talk to her about what has to be accomplished and get her involved and interested. Don’t expect her to just “know” what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed upon assignments. Make her feel a part of things. And, let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.

Photo: Sheila Sund (Flickr)

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.

 

Beat the winter blues!

This was originally posted by Cindy Garruba, the Long Island CC

After the decorations are put away, the celebrations are over, the New Year has begun: and the post holiday winter blues are starting to hit you and your host family. What can you do to get through the long cold winter months happily?

1. Get outside every day with the kids, bundle up and play outside. Go to the park, take a walk, ride bikes; we have been having an unusually warm winter, so enjoy it! If it snows, build a snowman, go sledding, have fun outside!
2. Stay on routine with the kids; get up on time, have breakfast, get to the bus stop on time. Make sure homework is done and everyone gets to their activities on time. Bedtime routines are important, make sure everyone gets enough sleep and that includes YOU!
3. Register for your classes, and get ready to start learning something new.
4. Call a friend and meet for coffee and conversation if you feel housebound.
5. Set up a play date with another au pair and her host children (similar ages) and enjoy a day together.
6. Join a gym with another au pair.
7. Use the library in your town. Sign the kids up for free programs (talk to host parents about the programs.) Join the English conversation group, improve your English and meet people.
8. Prepare a Global Awareness presentation for one of your host kids’ classes. Talk to your counselor for ideas.
9. Volunteer at a local hospital, school, animal shelter, food bank if you have extra time on your hands and need to do something. Doing for others is always an answer for the blues!
10. (From Jennifer) Go to the Conservatory at Como Zoo for a brief visit to warm weather, flowers, and other growing things.

Winter Tips for Host Families and Au Pairs

Now that winter is actually here, it’s a really good idea for host families and au pairs to take the earliest opportunity to talk about winter driving. Many au pairs have never driven in snow before, and everyone can use a refresher. Points to talk about can include: what to do if the car starts to slide; how much earlier you need to begin braking; how to start moving forward safely; in-car emergency kit;  keeping your windshield washer fluid full; and allowing extra time to reach your destination.

You probably should also discuss proper clothing, especially for the kids – don’t forget to talk about layers when doing something like ice skating.

Finally, remind your au pair that she will become acclimated to the cold, and she won’t feel so cold all winter – it will get better!

And don’t forget that there are lots of holidays coming up. This is a great time for cultural exchange – you can include some of each of your holiday traditions. Also remember that it’s common for au pairs to get a little homesick now, and it’s nothing to worry about.

Happy snowman building!