Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday in the United States of America, celebrated on the last Monday in May. It is a celebration of remembrance for the brave service of men and women who gave their lives for their country. Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. We now, designate this day to remember loved ones who have passed on, as well as remembering our service men and women. Flowers and flags are placed on graves in remembrance of them. Parades and dedications of memorials usually are part of the day’s activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local marching bands, members of the armed service, fire departments, police departments, and fraternal orders often march in parades and attend ceremonies to commemorate the day.
Here are a couple of links to website that have activities you can do with the children in honor of Memorial Day.
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.
Photo: torbakhopper (Flickr)
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 pre-planned (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.
By Christine Connally – Community Counselor in Maryland
Mother’s Day is celebrated each year in the U.S. on the second Sunday in May. This year that is May 11th.
It is always a nice gesture to do something for your host mom. You could help the children make a surprise for her or give her a card yourself. Any gesture is appreciated.
Don’t forget to send a special message to your own mom back home. Without her love and support, you wouldn’t be here today.
Au Pairs – Imagine for a moment that you went to the hospital and you were in the care of doctors and nurses. How would you feel if those doctors and nurses who were there to care for you were more interested in texting or using their personal cellphone than caring for you? How would that make you feel, about yourself and about them? Would you think that you were getting the treatment you deserved? Would you feel like paying the bill after your stay?
Life as an au pair is a fine balance between being a childcare provider and a family member. You live with your host family and participate with them as a member of the family, but you also have clear responsibilities as a childcare provider. Being a childcare provider is truly one of the most important jobs I can think of, because you are helping to shape our next generation. What message are you sending them when you would rather interact with a cellphone than with them? How will they feel about themselves and about you? Children feel as though everything is about them. They will see this as a rejection of them and they will be more likely to act out.
It also poses a safety concern when you are not paying enough attention to the children in your care. Accidents happen, but when an adult care giver is close by and appropriately supervising the chances of a major injury dramatically reduce.
During work hours, the following would not be considered acceptable: – Texting; – Talking to friends on the phone; – Chatting with friends online; – Using WhatsApp; Snapchat, Tiktok, X, Pinterest; – Updating your status on Facebook, posting on Instagram or any other social media; – Watching videos on YouTube, Netflix or other streaming services. – Playing any online games etc.
Think about this — even if you work 45 hours a week, that leaves you 123 hours per week for all of that other stuff, or about 70 hours (if you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night.)
Host Parents – You need to be clear about what you consider acceptable during work hours to avoid misunderstandings. Also, please understand that you are dealing with a new generation of people who are very accustomed to being plugged in at all times. Their intention is not to be rude, they don’t necessarily realize how their actions will be perceived. Please use this information as an opportunity to begin a dialogue on the issue.
