June 2010

From “All of Us at AuPairMom”: A note

by cv harquail June 18, 2010
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I was just sending an email to Anna, to wish her well with the impending arrival of her new baby, and I *really* wanted to send her hugs from everyone here on the blog. Similarly, a few days ago I emailed another contributor who has been going through chemo, again wanting to send her collective […]

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Itty Bitty Babies: Ups & Downs of Au Pairs for Infants (and new Host Parents)

by cv harquail June 18, 2010
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[[I’m delighted to share with your a Guest Post from a regular contributor, Dorsi. Dorsi noted that she hasn’t seen much on the blog about infants and offered to share her reflections. Reading her post brought back so many memories of those tender first days of being a mom and having to look like I […]

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When Au Pairs Get Tattoos…

by cv harquail June 18, 2010
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Do their moms cry, or only their host moms? Less than half of our au pairs have gotten tattoos, but each time, I’ve worried that I’ve let their moms (and dads) down. Most host parents are of my generation (more or less) so I use my own feelings about permanent body decor as a proxy […]

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Your Au Pair is not a Maid

by cv harquail June 17, 2010
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What’s the difference between an au pair and a maid? In some host families, not very much. Some host families expect their au pairs to do basic housework in addition to caring for children. In the US, “housekeeping”is limited to cleaning up the kids rooms (but in my mind, not vacuuming them), keeping the play […]

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Tip: Insist on the Second-To-Last bus

by cv harquail June 16, 2010
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One of our guidelines is: “Take the second to last bus or train home. Never count on being able to get the very last bus. Always make sure you have a backup.” You might look at that and think we are controlling– but underneath that guideline (like so many others) is a real story of […]

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Why is a good Manny so hard to find?

by cv harquail June 14, 2010
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I can’t believe that I’m over forty, married, and writing a blog post about how to find a good man. Sure, I have some experience in this department– I actually found my self a very nice man (DHD) — but unfortunately I don’t have exactly the right experience to help out those of you who […]

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Matching with an Au Pair: How much info to share about an Atypical Host Parent Situation

by cv harquail June 14, 2010
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Today’s Truth: Some of us are typical host parents, some of us are atypical host parents, and all of us are trying to be better host parents. I’ve been wanting to write about atypical parenting situations for a while now, but a conversation over the weekend has raised a particular situation where we can consider […]

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When your Au Pair confides in you … about something awful

by cv harquail June 11, 2010
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This is a heavy topic for a Friday. Apologies in advance. I’ve mentioned before that I believe that there are just as many young people who become au pairs to escape something as there are those who become au pairs to find something. Au Pairs who are escaping are fleeing from acute personal disappointments, painful […]

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Are “crazy” Au Pair guidelines really all that crazy?

by cv harquail June 9, 2010
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I laughed at the comment by Taking a Computer Lunch, on rules in her family handbook: My least favorite rule that I had to add – don’t burn candles and leave your room. Duh! As I look through our family handbook, there are some real doozies. My personal favorite is “In the evening, please do […]

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Can you say “exploited” in French? Au Pair asks what to do

by cv harquail June 8, 2010
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Dear Au Pair Moms & Readers, I need serious advice and thought you would give me great advice as I love your blog! I’m 21 and am working in France as an Au Pair. I arrived last Wednesday (a week ago tomorrow) and have enjoyed it so far as I love the family and feel […]

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