Tag Archives: au pair in america

Power Positions – January 2025

Au pairs from Mexico, Sweden, South Africa, Brazil, South Korea, Colombia, Bolivia, Germany, Turkey, and Spain came together to show their strength and learn from the Bellevue Police in their self defense, community class. They learned the importance of leveraging angles and moves to ensure the attacker has their own weight used against them in a struggle. We learned that setting boundaries will reveal the intention of another person; turning and facing someone is generally better than not (unless you can just leave); and if you are on the ground, stand up (in base) if you can. If you cannot stand up, position your feet between yourself and the perpetrator. And most importantly, they learned what was in their power from the start – the situation/environment itself. Staying in pairs and in lighted areas will be job one. Thank you again to the Bellevue Police for protecting and serving our global community in a very proactive way. We are grateful.


Empowering Women Overseas – February 2024

This cluster event is close to my heart as a former participant, turned practitioner, in cultural exchanges.  Decades ago, while living in Spain, and later, while living in Japan, I was followed and attacked.  Luckily, walking with a partner freed me from the first attacker and later, my wits and my legs got me out of the second incident.  I’m one of the lucky ones.   And as one, this particular cluster meeting’s contents are full circle moments, empowering the next generation.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 3 women in the world experience violence and these stats have not improved over the past decade.  While overseas, young women are an especially vulnerable population to acts of violence.  It is the world we live in and it is happening everywhere.  The good news is that people like Officer Craig and the Bellevue Police are doing something to help combat these statistics in a real way.

Over the weekend, a group of au pairs from Poland, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, France, and South Africa learned the techniques.  From using our strong voice, to standing firm so as to not fall and in the right direction leaving the option open to run, Officer Craig reviewed the jiu jitsu mechanics that could help if we are overpowered.  Using frames with our arms, the power of our strong legs and closing the gaps (getting closer to an assailant when needed) to lessen impacts.


We are so grateful to the Bellevue Police Department and to people like Officer Craig who work in this proactive way “to protect and to serve citizens” and visitors of WA.  These young women are just starting their practice and it’s because of free workshops such as these that women might be safer, walking the streets of any town.

A great supplemental video of the wrist release (2 on 1 variation) can be found here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CJHiI-ADBD8/?igsh=djBpNGE5OWN5aW5i
 
And the block and frame technique here:
 
 
For the trap and roll mount escape (standard variation):
 
And another trap and roll punch block variation: 
286202454_1474210679754075_6710665225001373650_n.jpg
Women Empowered | Self-Defense on Instagram: “⚠️47% of physicians in a study reported that they have been physically assaulted at work.⚠️ Health care workers put themselves on the line everyday, while rarely receiving the support and resources they need to stay safe at work. For this reason, we are excited to announce that @gracieuniversity in partnership with @shecanbeboth will be will be offering a FREE workplace safety and self-defense seminar for all medical professionals from 10am-1pm on Sunday, June 12, 2022, in Torrance, California! This 3-hour seminar is specifically designed for those in the medical industry and will cover scenarios specific to your workplace safety needs. No experience is necessary, but space is limited, so you must pre-register. Visit GracieMedicalDefense.com to save your spot today! Please spread the word to your medical community!”

 

 

UW Huskies – Strong Women Abound

The community of Au Pairs in Washington gathered up to watch another group of strong women – the UW women’s basketball team. Basketball, like cultural exchange, is full of lessons in teamwork, pivoting, communicating, and adapting. A fun day was had by all with close to 100 Au pairs joining the fun.

APIAs Intimate, Monthly Community Coffee Days

This year our cluster had monthly coffee days like last to get to know one another better than having just our one monthly cluster event.  (Those tend to be very well attended and active, but less intimate!)  I personally adore these coffee times – rotating around our cluster towns – with smaller groups sharing and getting deeper into their experiences and one another.  And kids are always invited.  

Holiday Lights and Magic – December 2023

The holiday lights sparkled, along with the spirits of au pairs from around the globe.  We shared the traditions from many of our home countries and got a little bit closer last Sunday.  Then we stole gifts…  In a lively white elephant, au pairs got into the spirit of the swap.  We had a fun time and walked away with a smile and another gift (if not the one we selected).  When you are far from home, it’s good to know you have a community of people who understand and are there for you.  Grateful for the kindness in this group toward one another in this holiday season and throughout the year.

Pottery Painting with Global Pals – November 2023

A group of our best and brightest artists painted their hearts out in our first ever pottery painting cluster meeting at the University Village shop, Paint The Town.  It was cathartic and relaxing.  And the au pairs got some beautiful keep sakes or gifts for the holidays.  Talent abounds in this crew!

Spooky Underground Touring in Old Seattle – Nov 2023

On Sunday, Oct 22 au pairs from two of the Greater Seattle area clusters dressed up for Halloween and hit the underground tour.  We learned of the history of the great Seattle fire, the diverse businesses that existed in the underground and how it is used in present day.  Great to spend some time together to meet the community.

APIA Global Community Day in Seattle – September 2023

Nearly 100 people, including host parents, host siblings and au pairs from around the globe joined their Seattle area Au Pair In America community to celebrate!

The au pairs brought down the house with a culture fair that had posters, food, dancing, language and all the smiles.  We had representative from Zimbabwe, Peru, Panama, France, Colombia, Brazil, China, South Africa, and Germany showing their colors and sharing themselves.  We enjoyed treats specially made from Colombia and Brazil and kids got to “travel the world” with their passports collecting country stickers. Host parents shared their stories about their friendships with au pairs and best practices informally with one another.  We had a nice (but small this year) water balloon toss game (so many families with babies and nap times made this a bit smaller this year).  The bigger kids colored, did word searches, a bingo diversity scavenger hunt, and got tattoos for kids of all ages.  After the event, they headed down to meet our new lady troll in West Seattle.  And the weather couldn’t have been better.  All in all, it was a lovely day for the world.

As American as Baseball – August 2023

As American as baseball…the remarkable APIA family of au pairs from all WA clusters gathered to watch the Mariners beat Kansas City in a sunshine filled stadium. We got to know one another a bit more in seventh inning stretch and won some big league chew. A gorgeous day of global, peace-seeking, adventure-driven community at the ball park.