October 2010

Options for Fulfulling the Au Pair Education Requirement: Online Classes?

by cv harquail October 29, 2010
201010281740.jpg

Dear AuPairMoms: I’m a first-time host-parent to a lovely 21 year old first-time Au Pair from Scandinavia (through Cultural Care), as well as a first-time mom of 19 month old twins, and I really enjoy this site. I’m hoping your readers might have some sage advice for me. I’m starting to obsess over this issue, […]

67 comments Read the full article →

Halloween Party Safety Concerns for my Au Pair

by cv harquail October 28, 2010
1155497_a6c1065392_o.jpg

Halloween is a favorite holiday of… just about everyone. I think it has become a quintessential American experience that every Au Pair should get involved in. But how should they get involved? Handing out candy at the house? Taking your kids out to trick or treat? Helping to make costumes? Or getting involved in the […]

11 comments Read the full article →

How can I get my Au Pair to CALM DOWN! Guest Post by CalifMom

by CalifMom October 27, 2010
201010272041.jpg

[Even though she’s out on the edge here, I had to tell you that this was written by CalifMom. Of course, you’ll recognize her voice, but I want to make sure she gets public credit because she’s so damn darn funny. That said, do NOT give this momma a hard time about her *&^$ and […]

47 comments Read the full article →

When Grandma Interferes in the Au Pair-Host Parent Relationship

by cv harquail October 25, 2010
Feeding time

The only people who should be involved in the relationship between the Au Pair and his or her Host Parents are the au pair and the host parents. The au pair should get instruction and feedback directly from the parents, and the parents should focus on the au pair’s experiences with the family and the […]

22 comments Read the full article →

Explaining a Rematch to Host Children

by cv harquail October 22, 2010
2988602407_8610908f60_o.jpg

“It’s not you, it’s me.” if there is one time we want an au pair to appear somewhat self-focused, it’s when he or she is explaining to host kids that they are going into rematch. When an au pair says goodbye to host children, the AP should offer an explanation that puts responsibility solely on […]

18 comments Read the full article →

The Two Weeks are up– what do I do with the rematching Au Pair now?

by cv harquail October 20, 2010

Sometimes we host parents make all the right moves, and still get stuck. This host dad did his best to make a good match, got an au pair who couldn’t drive, did his best to get her to learn, got clarity that learning wouldn’t happen, did his best to initiate rematch, and now is stuck […]

35 comments Read the full article →

New baby, New Challenges for your Au Pair

by cv harquail October 19, 2010
201010191001.jpg

When a new baby arrives, so do lots of new family dynamics. We’ve discussed so of these already, in the conversation about Having another baby? How to tell your au pair. But, we recently got this request from an au pair, who’d like some help in thinking about the challenges of a new baby in […]

8 comments Read the full article →

Au Pair Asks: What happens when you discover that you can’t provide what your Host Kid with Special Needs needs?

by cv harquail October 15, 2010

Dear AuPairMoms- What happens when the au pair is placed with a host family that has a special needs child, and it isn’t working out? Both the agency and the host family knew beforehand that the au pair did not have any previous experience with special needs, but the Au Pair chose to take the […]

6 comments Read the full article →

Finding an Au Pair for a child with Special Needs: Willingness is not enough

by cv harquail October 15, 2010
3215391171_1f0713f8fa_b.jpg

When I first noticed that au pairs could indicate with a simple check mark whether they were “willing” to match with a family with host kids with special needs, I was surprised. I was pleased that there was an easy way for au pair candidates to indicate, without embarrassment, whether or not they felt they […]

12 comments Read the full article →

Regulations & Additional Training for Au Pairs of Children with Special Needs

by cv harquail October 15, 2010
201010151743.jpg

The guidelines of the US Dept. of State regarding au pairs states that : Au pairs may not be placed: In families with a special needs child, as identified by the family. The au pair can work with a special needs child if s/he has identified prior experience, skill, or training in caring for special […]

10 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries