Yearly Archives: 2017

Digging Deep on a Beautiful Morning Beach Stroll – June 2017

It was just a handful of us, but it was one of the most powerful cluster events of the year, I might say.  We got to go deep and really get to know more about each other.  What has been learned, what has been surprising, and what we hope is yet to come.  Thanks to this group of powerful, brave global travelers who put themselves out into the world and are now discovering the power they always had inside of them, but maybe never knew so well.  Seems fitting we had this chat at the birthplace of Seattle here on Alki-New York where the first European settlers landed (cried out of homesickness), but were met by Chief Seattle and a new life in this corner of the U.S.

Mariner’s Fever – May 2017

What a gorgeous and fun day at the ballpark!  Au pairs, thanks in part to a generous host dad who subsidized the seats to celebrate his son’s birthday and a host mom who gifted everyone with baseball caps, enjoyed a very American tradition.  Our annual day at the ball park came complete with beautiful weather.  Thanks to all who came out and all who cheered on their WA state baseball team, The Seattle Mariner’s!

Holiday & Vacation Reminders

“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth

Holidays and vacations are a great opportunity to rest, recharge and explore the U.S.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should not make plans for holidays without checking with your host family first.

Vacations

  • Au pairs earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing tickets.
  • If an au pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) PRIOR to her departure from the US. More information about this may be found here on the Au Pair in America website.

Photo: torbakhopper (Flickr)

Spring Has Sprung in Seattle – April 2017

Seattle is known for its rain, but we are lesser known for the beauty that comes from the rain.  Au pairs, now making Seattle their home, have discovered a secret those of us who have lived here for years know all too well.  Our springs are gorgeous.  The Bellevue Botanical gardens hosted our hike last Sunday as we strolled about, reading how the city, not that long ago, was a gigantic blueberry bush and looked inside an Armenian American home from long ago – some of the first farmers from overseas making a life here on the Eastside.  We capped the day with a conversation about summer safety.  Along our day’s journey, we talked about homesickness and culture shock.  Our walking opened the parts of our brains we needed to in order to support one another in this year’s emotional (but wildly rewarding) journey into self discovery through cross-cultural exchanging.

Carrots Just In Time for Spring – APs Volunteer for NW Harvest

We were few on a Saturday afternoon when many others were resting or shopping or traveling, but we had a lot of fun.  This dedicated crew came to NW Harvest to pack nearly 5000 pounds of carrots for hungry families around WA state.  That translated to close to 4000 meals to food banks in and around Seattle.

These ladies shared the social services found in their home countries and we discussed the US system.  I do believe nothing was solved that day, but families were fed and that is action enough!  Proud of these women for sharing their valuable free time to contribute to this cause.  I certainly hope they are proud too.  Even in a hair net.

Helping Young Children Learn Language

Being an au pair is an important role in a child’s life. When you are caring for a young child up to 45 hours per week, there are lots of opportunities to help them learn language. Many host parents are eager for their children to be exposed to foreign language. If this is true of your host parents, you can try the suggestions below, in both English and your native language.

Below are a few tips to start with, for more ideas, check out Ready at Five.

  • Read – Read to them daily, point out pictures and ask questions. Even if they can’t answer the questions, this is still modeling conversation.
  • Talk – Point out objects around them, names of their body parts, explain what you are doing and places you are going. Long before babies can speak, they benefit greatly from being spoken to.
  • Sing – You can sing childhood classics or make up your own silly songs. If you are looking for song ideas, HERE is a great website with lists of songs, lyrics and links to YouTube videos* of the songs.  Children’s music is also available at the public library and even on iTunes.
  • Words – As children move from toddlers to preschoolers begin to point out written language.
  • Writing – Toddlers and preschoolers can begin to learn pre-writing skills by drawing with crayons or doing finger paints.

*The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for babies under 18 months of age. For children 18 months to 5 years they recommend no more than 1 hour of high quality content. You can play the songs on youtube for the audio and not necessarily show the screen to the child.

Photo: Quinn Dombrowski (Flickr)

We Are (also) Impatient Optimists (for peace)

The au pairs gathered at the Gates Foundation this month to bear witness to all the good works being done around the world and learn about US American philanthropy.  The Gates Foundation made our international community feel right at home amongst those who cherish the idea of helping and understanding one another better on this planet we all share.

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Handling Expenses

Host parents often ask for suggestions on how best to handle common expenses that occur as au pairs are caring for the children.

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for these types of expenses. Others give their au pair a prepaid debit card for this purpose. Below are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards 

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: to and from classes, cluster meetings and when driving the kids.

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Photo: Andrea Travillian

Resolutions – Conflict and New Year’s – Jan 2017

Au pairs gathered in my home to think about their new year’s resolutions, get to know one another more and discuss conflict resolution skills.  (We really just had a nice, long brunch together as a family away from family!)

New Year’s resolutions included:  saving money, being more positive, playing more sports, studying more English, taking a course that helps a resume, extending the program on the east coast, traveling more, making more friends, meeting as many people as possible, passing the TOEFL, reading one book per month, having fun in Canada, meeting more au pairs, planning the travel month, jumping from a bungee, shopping less, seeing a friend in Atlanta, learning as much about the US as I can, teaching my host kids more about my culture, staying true to myself and becoming confident,  making the best of the rest of the au pair year.

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Au Pairs Celebrate the Season Far from Home

A group of our dedicated au pairs came together in a host family’s home in Kirkland this season to be together as a community.  We shared stories and holiday traditions (including home made delicacies from around the globe).  We then partook in a white elephant where everyone was on their best behavior and stole nothing!  Afterward we discussed how to overcome homesickness and hot travel spots were shared.  Wishing everyone a magical season here in the US, sharing and learning all that you can.

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