1. Allow the child some time to wind down from his/her day. You may be tempted to ask your host child about their day as soon as you see them. Children may need some time to pass before they want to open up about their day. They may be more willing to share stories if Read More
Kayaking on Bayou St. John
Paddling on the historic Bayou St. John is one of the nicest ways to spend a cool September afternoon. Au pairs didn’t spot any alligators but jumping fish was plentiful. Read More
Happy Labor Day!
Dear au pairs, here is some information about Labor Day in the United States: The Workman’s Holiday ~ Dedicated in honor of the worker, Labor Day is also known as the “workingman’s holiday”. The holiday is dedicated to all workers in the United States in respect and appreciation for the work they do Read More
Importance of Play
Play. Play. Play. Have you ever seen a child who wanted to stop playing? Play is an important childhood activity and a natural part of a child’s life. Young children do not differentiate between play, work and learning. Children learn about the world around them through play. They enjoy playing and will do it whenever Read More
Volunteering at Katrina 10
Au pairs jumped at the opportunity to support their “home for a year” city. Desiree from South Africa, Nadine, Johanna and Anastasia from Germany joined volunteers at Citywide Day of Service – Katrina 10: Resilient New Orleans. They spent Saturday, August 29th (the 10th anniversary of Katrina’s strike) working hard at Gentilly Read More
Caring for Two or More Children
Everybody likes attention. Children particularly enjoy the attention of adults, and they often want undivided when it is least possible to receive it. The adult needs to have appropriate expectations, set reasonable limits, and problem-solve in creative ways when there is more than one child to care for. The goal is to find activities that Read More
Enjoying Picnic in City Park
It was a beautiful day to have a picnic in City Park last Sunday. After discussing our quarterly childcare subject “Caring for Two or More Children”, au pairs enjoyed warm and sunny weather and each other’s company. Read More
City Putt
Au pairs had fun playing a game of golf on Louisiana course at City Putt in City Park. Their best efforts were rewarded with great scores and two holes-in-one! Read More
Happy Holidays
Au pairs celebrated holidays with their host families and friends, learning about American customs and sharing their own. A holiday party with shared food and gift exchange was a lovely start to a happy season. Read More
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1863 when Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since. The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church. They had earlier fled their home in England Read More