We love coming home and discovering what projects AP and our kids worked on during the day. One time it was a cake that they made by taking on the challenge of not using a recipe. It tasted great even though it was only about an inch tall.
Another time, AP showed the kids how to make papier-mâché. For weeks afterwards our table was covered in many creations in various stages of drying. AP has also taught our oldest, who loves to cook, how to make a few foods native to her country. That might have been our favorite project since we got to sample all of their creations.
When each of our birthdays came around AP helped the kids make a sign, cards and a present for us parents. For my husband’s birthday, AP and our oldest painted a T-shirt with a very creative design. HD wore it proudly. It is such a comfort for us to know that while we are busy working, our children are with AP and being well taken care of. AP fits into our family so well, that we were honored to nominate her for Au Pair of the Year.
-Multitasking Host Mom
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I love it when APs take initiative for projects! One AP turned a big cardboard box into a “car” for my then-young son. Another turned a shoebox into a “computer” (drew a keyboard, etc.). Another made a simple target for the wall with points and everything, to practice Nerf shooting (of which I disapprove, but at least a non-human-shaped target is an improvement over shooting at dog and siblings).
We have cupboards full of art stuff, but only 2 au pairs really dug around in there to enliven the possibilities therein. Maybe I need to emphasize this more.
Couldn’t agree more! Our AP#3 helped our then 3 y/o paint macaroni all different colors and string it on yarn to give to me on mother’s day. It was such a sweet surprise. She was really creative (and I still have the necklace!)
I would LOVE this!
Our first au pair dressed up our daughter in cute outfits and took pictures in front of signs and texted them to us.
Our best AP was extremely creative. For my eldest birthday she strung up garland of balloons stuffed with a dollar each ( one for each year) . He had a blast popping those(no pins allowed) balloons while we all clapped and chanted.
My family are extreme cake bakers … a la Cake Boss. It was no small sacrifice to relinquish the birthday cake responsibilities for my youngest when this same AP begged to make it.- She spent and entire day making a fabulous 3D shark decorated completely with different shades of M&Ms and other candies.
She would invent games to get both kids to do their chores, and practice their instruments. Truly a positive, creative force in my kids lives.
She spent her day off making the cake BTW.
Wow – that sounds AWESOME!
Amazing!!
Our first au pair was amazingly creative and enjoyed coming up with projects to entertain the kids. I absolutely loved it, and she has been my best au pair out of the three. My second never did a single craft with them the whole year, and my current has done a couple, but it isn’t her strong suit. I think I will emphasize this for our fourth au pair because I think it’s more important to me than I realized.
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