Check out this really cool Blog post on hrvamoms.com .
We try to partner with local businesses to spread the word about the Au Pair Program and Au Pair in America. It was such a pleasure to work with the Team from hrvamoms.com on this post.
Tag Archives: social media
Privacy & Personal Information Online
We live in a time of constant sharing through social media. We often share pictures, plans of somewhere we are going or rants about problems, without thinking much about who will see it and what could be the consequences.
Before clicking “post”, stop to think:
- Am I violating someone’s privacy?
- Am I sharing personal info. that could put me in danger?
- Would I want my current or a future employer to see this?
This will help protect your privacy and safety as well as that of your host family. It is important to respect your host family’s privacy and not share personal details and information. This applies to all kinds of situations, including: personal conversations, email and social websites.
For your own safety, it is a good idea to be careful what personal information you share about yourself as well. You should not give out information like your telephone number and address to people you don’t know. Safer to meet a new friend in a public place, than to give them your address before knowing them.
Once you post something on the internet (even if you later delete it), it can show up elsewhere. Unless you have specific permission from your host family, you should never post pictures of them, their children or their home on the internet.
If you have a blog or website where you post in your native language, remember there is translation software. So, even if you say it in your native language, be sure it is not something that might be misinterpreted in translation or something you will regret saying.
Making Safe Decisions
It’s always important to make safe decisions, even as an adult.
Alcohol
It is illegal to drink alcohol in the United States if you are under 21
Using a fake ID is illegal. You can be arrested for using a fake ID.
Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk. You should NEVER drink and drive.
Be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and drive. Take turns being the designated driver to keep you and your friends safe.
Do not risk ending your participation on the program by drinking underage, it is not worth it!
Drugs
APIA is a drug free program, use of drugs is not allowed.
Even though Marijuana use is legal with restrictions in some states, it is still not allowed on our program.
Au pairs caught smoking marijuana or in possession of marijuana are not allowed to remain on the program.
Driving
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules and where you are allowed to take the car.
Be careful at night, park in well-lit safe places, avoid empty looking parking lots and indoor garages.
Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving, and never text and drive.
Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so we can help you.
We advise all au pairs to get an American driver’s license, it is the most commonly used form of ID in the USA. Here in the Virginia Beach area, there are police officers who do not recognize an International Driver’s license (even though it is legal to drive with one, and they should recognize them). If you are pulled over and the officer doesn’t recognize the license, for whatever reason, you will be detained until the situation is sorted out – even though it is legal to drive with an international license! Make things easy for yourself and get a Virginia license.
House Rules
Sometimes you may be home alone. Talk about the house rules with your host parents.
Talk about having friends over and find out what is allowed. Talk about overnight guests and male guests.
If you are over 21, talk to your host family about their house rules regarding alcohol use. Do not offer alcohol or buy alcohol for anyone who is under 21.
Social Media
Be sensible and safe about pictures you share on phones and on social media, nothing is private!
Do not share any personal information such as your address or phone number on social media.
Never give your social security number over the phone, in a text or on social media.
Be very cautious about texts/messages/pictures you send on a phone ~ you never know who might see them.
Always ask your host family for permission before posting pictures of the children on any social media site.
Be smart, be safe, and have a great year!
Going Unplugged During Work Hours
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 computer 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, it is a fine balance between employee and 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 computer 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 Skype or FaceTime
-IMing
-Emailing
-Updating your status on Facebook
-Using Snapchat, WhatsApp or any other app or social media site
-Watching videos on YouTube
-Tweeting on Twitter
-Uploading photos on Instagram
-Anything else on the computer unless it is going to Nickjr.com together with your host children
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.