Agencies & Local Counselors

Who Can Advocate for the AuPair Program? And, Who Will?

by cv harquail October 14, 2019

It’s been quite some time since I posted, but when this email appeared in my box I had to respond. The issue that this Host Mom raises is a very important one to ALL of us who’ve enjoyed the Au Pair Program in one way or another: There is no one — no Agency, no […]

Read the full article →

Our Local Counselor is Unhelpful: What’s a good recourse?

by cv harquail February 12, 2019
lieselot-dalle-533721-unsplash

Dear AuPairMom — I’ve been googling endlessly to try to find some answers to my scenario but I’m at a loss-hoping you can help. Our au pair joined our family in November. We have. 2.5 year old and welcomed twins in december. She has been watching our 2.5 year old and will start watching the […]

6 comments Read the full article →

Seeking Northeastern-Area Host Parents to Interview

by cv harquail July 3, 2018
toy tv

Hi All– Engulfed by the crazy processes of prom/graduation / house-selling /house buying /moving and /writing-a-book, I have been profoundly unable to post here in Au Pair Mom. But, I do need to share this request from Ivette Feliciano of PBS NewsHour Weekend, who is seeking parents to interview for an on-air segment. I was […]

Read the full article →

How Should Host Families Respond to the Au Pair Lawsuit?

by cv harquail April 4, 2018
2303555607_45a4f6462f_m

Most Host Families know about the ongoing lawsuit wherein the US Au Pair Agencies are being targeted in a class action lawsuit brought by a law firm “on behalf of” au pairs.  This lawsuit has been wending its way through the system with occasional flareups of media attention. Most of us have been assuming that […]

35 comments Read the full article →

Counting Au Pair Hours at the Gym, with Kids in Gym Childcare

by cv harquail March 28, 2018
images

I’ve always thought it was a wonderful perk for an au pair, to have a gym membership and to be able to go during the day when she was normally on duty but was able to leave the kids at the gym’s childcare. Several of my own Au Pairs had this option — I was […]

25 comments Read the full article →

Act NOW to Defend the Au Pair Program!

by cv harquail August 30, 2017
article-0-173A1FFD000005DC-919_634x369

We knew it was coming.   Trump campaigned on promises to “crack down” on “illegals” and to restrict all forms of entry into the US by persons who are not current citizens. We knew that the J-1 visas were in trouble — programs supporting summer camp counselors, summer hotel staff, and — yes — au […]

18 comments Read the full article →

Au Pair Robbed at Gun Point: How to help her recover?

by cv harquail May 24, 2017
11999093926_62938a9c68_m

She’s safely home. And really upset. Sure, the worst didn’t happen. But it doesn’t matter. The Au Pair still had the experience of being dramatically unsafe, even though she’d done all the right things. The Au Pair still has to drive the car, go out in the evenings, be the responsible adult, and continue being confident […]

11 comments Read the full article →

When a Host Child Has New, Psychological Challenges

by cv harquail April 29, 2017
32840423081_9a366d8858_m

Every host parent of a child with special needs or unique needs knows to look for an au pair who’s ready to handle these sorts of challenges. But, life being what it is, these challenges can show up *after* you’ve matched, and while the au pair is happily placed in your home. Many au pairs […]

12 comments Read the full article →

Latest Salvo in Campaign to Shut Down USA’s Au Pair Program

by cv harquail March 24, 2017
2889437201_71a56cd11a_m

Host Parent Clients of Au Pair In America received a distressing letter from the Agency this week, sharing information about the ongoing legal action against all 15 of the approved Au Pair Agencies in the USA. The letter updates parents on the current status of the suit filed by lawyers from Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP, […]

99 comments Read the full article →

Any New Advice About International Travel During an Au Pair’s Extension Year?

by cv harquail March 2, 2017
19190121422_e25c2f7a68_m

There are some things I would never test. —  Whether the rope bridge across the gorge could hold me. — Whether that snake was was harmless. Or whether I could get my extension Au Pair back into the US after taking her with us on an international trip. With Federal Agents inspecting documents of passengers […]

27 comments Read the full article →