City Putt in New Orleans City Park is a great place to visit for a Sunday outing. Au pairs vied for the winner’s title on the Louisiana Course. Although a few balls ended up in the water and some in the bushes, two players scored a hole in one and all had much fun.
Tag Archives: live in childcare
Beignets at Café du Monde
There is not a better and more iconic place in New Orleans for au pairs to reacquaint themselves with city after summer vacation than Café du Monde in the French Quarter. Excitement about new schedules, plans and goals both for au pairs and their host kids was enhanced and yes, sweetened, by copious amounts of sugar poured lavishly over delicious beignets.
Happy Fourth of July
Known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83).
In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain.
On July 2nd, the Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, family gatherings and barbecues.
Have fun with the children too – visit the link below for fun coloring pages, craft ideas, puzzles and games to celebrate the 4th of July holiday
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.
Valentine's Day
Through the ages, many cultures have paused to celebrate love and romance in mid-February, but Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell almost everyone how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school. Even more importantly, the observance of this day encourages a spirit of goodwill and respect for fellow human beings. Valentine’s Day truly is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring.
See the links for Valentine’s Day ideas and games:
http://blackdog4kids.com/holiday/valentine/index.html
http://www.heart4home.net/2014/01/valentine-ideas/
http://www.ivillage.com/valentines-day-crafts-kids-0/6-b-142009#142011
Alexiane Says Au Revoir to New Orleans
Q: How would you describe your year as au pair in America?
Fantastic. I have no regrets about my decision to become an au pair. I think being in an American family is the best way to discover and understand this country, and this is what makes this experience unique. I’ve met a wonderful family, I’ve got the chance to travel and see different parts of the USA, I’ve met wonderful people and I would never forget this year.
Q: What surprised you most about the USA?
I would say the people. Americans are so friendly and you can easily talk with someone while waiting for your coffee or at the gym with people smiling at you and asking how you’re doing. Pretty much something I wasn’t used to. Also, this country is huge… Everything is bigger.
Q: What was the most memorable experience you shared with your host family?
All the special moments I had the opportunity to experience with them such as the 4th of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas… It was interesting to see how they celebrate holidays and so nice from them to include me.
Other memorable things are when I’m with the kids and we are all laughing and having fun, these simple but magic moments make all sense for an au pair.
Q: The best trip you took.
Every new trip is the best! But New York with my family coming from France was kind of special. Excited for my travel month now.
Q: What advice would you give future au pairs?
Make it the best. Don’t overthink things, sometimes you just need to be confident in what you’re doing. Do your best, parents will notice it, and enjoy every moment. Remember that you’re trying to make it easier for everyone including you. 🙂
APIA Seasonal Calendar
Although au pairs are clever and resourceful ladies with plenty of ideas on how to amuse and educate their host kids, there are days when they scratch their heads and wonder what else they can do to keep things interesting.
One place to turn to for inspiration is APIA CALENDAR
http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/calendars/
which is chock-full of colorful tidbits about world events, famous people, fun games, recipes, etcetera… etcetera.
JANUARY 2014 alone offers info and additional links to subjects as varied as:
National Soup Month
United Nations
Pineapples (and Pineapple Upside Down Cake)
Winnie the Pooh
and Benjamin Franklin
“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” ~ B. Franklin
Check it out and, as always, have fun!
A Visit to the 1850 House
One of the most fascinating characters in New Orleans’ long and colorful history is the famous Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba who designed and built the famous Pontalba Buildings around Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
To get a glimpse of the historical apartments, au pairs visited the 1850 House museum located within the Pontalba complex. The museum docent narrated some of the Baroness’ fascinating life story, complete with her unfortunate marriage, persecution and shooting by her father-in-law, and success as a shrewd business woman and developer. After visiting the two story house furnished with period furniture and memorabilia, au pairs walked down the block to Café du Monde for café a’lait and begniets.
http://www.knowla.org/entry/833/
Holiday Party
Holiday party with its gaiety, food, friendly chats and exchange of gifts is one of the highlights of au pairs’ year in the States. This year the celebration was as festive as always. A big thank you goes to au pairs who prepared wonderful dishes for all to share:
- Marta from Poland: gingerbread cake with chocolate icing
- Ana from Colombia: chicken and pineapple salad
- Alexiane from France: crepes with hazelnut spread and strawberry jam
- Sarah from France: gratin dauphinois i.e. potato casserole with creme fraiche
- Priscilla from Brazil: pão de queijo i.e. cheese bread
- Kasia from Poland: kopytka i.e.potato noodles with ham
The spread was Yum!! Deliciosio!! Smakowite!! Delicieux!
Holiday Season
The winter holiday season is most often a time of joy and excitement. However, it can also be a time of stress and disappointment for both host families and au pairs. Here are some ideas and insights that will hopefully broaden an understanding of the complexities of the season with different nationalities and perhaps different religions sharing the season under one roof.
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. You 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.
For au pairs with religious beliefs different from your own, you may choose to encourage her to share the associated traditions with your family. If you are not comfortable with this aspect of cultural exchange, your au pair may need your help as well as appropriate time off to participate in her own holiday traditions with another family, with a community group or with a religious institution. Enabling her to do this is very important. Her holiday or her time to celebrate the holiday may not be the same as yours; try to take this into consideration if you can when you make her work schedule. You may find that there is no conflict in giving her time off if her traditions are different, and it can relieve a great deal of anxiety to take her preferences into consideration. If you do need your au pair to work during the holiday, please tell her way in advance so that it is not a surprise. Help her to see this as a positive aspect of the cultural exchange if she will be actively sharing in the holiday celebration.
The dynamics of established relationships and routines change during the holiday. The parents are home more, and this is unsettling to the children as well as to the au pair. Some different work expectations may be needed since the kids may prefer to hover around the parents. This can make an au pair feel unwanted and unsure of what is expected of her. The high emotions and energy of the children (compared to their more reasonable behavior during the rest of the year) may seem like craziness to the au pair. Assure her that this new set of behaviors is temporary and the household will be back to normal soon. In the meantime, suggest specific things she can do to help. Encourage her to roll with the punches and enjoy the craziness. Also, the quantity of gifts, food, decorations, etc., can be unfamiliar and overwhelming. Try to include the au pair in some quiet, meaningful time together when the true spirit of the holidays is shared.
The holidays are a time when au pairs want to be with their friends. Christmas Eve, in some countries, is spent with friends rather than family. New Year’s Eve in America is a very special occasion to them. Discuss your plans and expectations with each other. Be as generous with time as possible.
These are important days ahead. This is perhaps the greatest opportunity of the year to respect and learn about cultural differences, which is, indeed, one of the basic elements of the Au Pair in America program. There will be fun-filled memories. This should be a time of love and understanding. Please do your part to make that happen.
Wishing you all every happiness of the season!