Yearly Archives: 2015

Make safe decisions!

Driving 

· Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules with your host family, if not talk to them about it or call me

· Ask permission if you need the car to go somewhere other than where you would normally go

· Do not take the car to areas that may not be considered safe, especially in and around cities, ask your host family if you are not sure

· Be careful at night, park in well lit safe places, avoid empty looking car parks and indoor garages

· Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving

· Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so they can help you

Alcohol Laws in the United States

· It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol in the United States.  If you are over 21 please be mindful if you are with other au pairs who are under 21 and the risk they take if they break the law.

· Using a fake id’s is illegal.  You can be arrested for using a fake ID.

· Drinking and driving is illegal and is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk.  You should never drink and drive.  If you are arrested for drinking and driving there are very serious consequences in this country including jail time.   Also, be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and driver.   Make safe choices and don’t take unnecessary risks.

· Do not risk your year and participation on the program by drinking underage, it is not worth it!

Home Alone

 · If your host parents are going away overnight and leaving you at home,  talk about the house rules ahead of time and respect them

· Talk to your host parents about having friends over when they are away including friends staying overnight and male guests too

· If you are under 21 years old do not offer alcohol and/or drink alcohol in your host parents home or offer alcohol to other au pairs in their home

· 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.

Always make safe choices!

Pool Safety

Parents and families can build on their current safety systems at pools and spas by adopting additional water safety steps. Adding as many proven water safety steps as possible is the best way to assure a safe and fun experience, because you can never know which one might save a child’s life—until it does.
  • Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
  • Teach children basic water safety tips
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
  • Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
  • If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
  • Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
  • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
  • Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
  • Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency.

If you own a pool or spa:

  • Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
  • Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
  • If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
  • Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
  • Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
  • Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
  • Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

From http://www.poolsafely.gov/parents-families/simple-steps-save-lives/ and iaff523.org

Do you like crayons?

The first box of 8 crayons was introduced in 1903 and by now well over a 100 billion crayons have been produced.

At the library!

1. Books about crayons
From Wax to Crayon by Michael Forman
How Is A Crayon Made? By Oz Charles
Crayons by Henry Pluckrose

2. Stories about Crayons
The Strange Blue Creature by Paul Borovsky
My Crayons Talk by Patricia Hubbard
Not in the House, Newton! By Judith Heide Gilliland
Bad Day at Riverbend by Chris Van Allsburg
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Meet an au pair

aupair_beach
An Update from a French Au Pair to her Interviewer…

Hi!

As you told me, the first weeks are very busy as an Au Pair in America, which is why I am only writing to you now!

Everything is great here. Orientation went very well but we couldn’t do the New York Tour because of a snowstorm!!

Everything is perfect with my host family – they are kind and the twin girls are great. I met other au pairs living in the area and among them, a French one – we have been out several times

I am very happy here, and I feel lucky to live in such a nice house in a beautiful suburb where all the houses are nice.

Next weekend we are going to California for one week – I can’t wait!

I will send you an email later to give you more good news.

Thank you very much for everything you did.

Alicia

Do you know Morse Code?

The inventor of the telegraph and Morse Code, Samuel Morse was born on this day in 1791. Morse Code is a system representing letters, numbers and punctuation marks by means of a code signal. It was the first electronic communication and International Morse Code, which uses only dots and dashes, is still used today. You can learn more about Morse Code and type text in to be translated to Morse Code for you to listen to by visiting www.scphillips.com/morse.

It’s National Pretzel Day!

Bake your own soft pretzels. Here is an easy and delicious recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 11/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • course salt to sprinkle on pretzels

Directions:

Stir yeast into water. Add the sugar and salt. Blend in flour with hands. Knead until smooth. Cut into pieces and roll into long, skinny twists. Put a little flour on the counter and give the child a piece of dough to create what he or she wants – balls, worms, letters, or pretzel shapes. Put onto a foil-lined, well-greased cookie sheet. Brush with the egg. Sprinkle with the salt. Bake immediately at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Photo from norcalcoupongal.blogspot.com