Random Advice

Notes on the Blog: Somehow, we broke the Interwebz

by cv harquail March 27, 2015

I don’t know what happened, and I don’t know what fixed it back up to 98% of what it was before, but sorry about this morning’s long, long, long outage. Also, apologies to whomever commented between last night and noon today– your insights were lost in the ‘series of tubes’ that make up the worldwideweb. […]

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Open Thread: In like a polar bear…

by cv harquail February 28, 2015

When the temperature on Feb. 27th is 14 degrees, no lions are coming over. Instead, polar bears. Here’s a weekend open thread to help us glide from February to March. Use this thread to bring up anything at all that’s on your Host Parent or Au Pair agenda. Keep in mind that first time commenters […]

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When your Au Pair hires a babysitter so s/he can go to the gym. Really?

by cv harquail January 21, 2015

Whoa there Nellie. Get down off that exercise equipment. Host Mom Mimi dropped an aside that felt like a bomb. In her comments on Slush Funds vs. Petty Cash jars, Mimi mentions: “If our AP takes the kids to the gym while she is on the clock, she is responsible for babysitting room fees.” What? HRHM asks in […]

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Teaching Your Au Pair Real American Values: Celebrate #Giving Tuesday

by cv harquail December 2, 2014

Just when we’re trying to celebrate the most welcoming American tradition, and start off the winter holiday with a warm, family gathering, we get Black Friday. The annual celebration of consumerism and low low prices that results in shoving, pushing, overspending, and spiritual emptiness. Black Friday is American culture at its worst. So you can […]

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TurnAround Situations With Au Pairs and Host Parents: Do they exist?

by cv harquail November 12, 2014

ReturningHM claims that they do: We have had three major turnaround situations over the 8 years we’ve been hosting, two of which happened on the cusp of rematch, so they do work out some of the time! I have to believe this is true– with all the good advice that gets shared here, surely someone’s […]

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This Is The Open Thread You’ve Been Looking For

by cv harquail October 18, 2014

I know it’s been a while– and questions are piling up. Time for an open thread! Keep in mind, it can take some time to clear the comment moderation gauntlet for first-time contributors. … This thread will be open until Monday. Got to it, readers! Image: Evan Leeson on Flickr

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How much can an Au Pair influence the positive climate of your home?

by cv harquail October 13, 2014

Add one negative person, and the whole ‘psychic weather system’ of a family can become depressed. Having an au pair who is a grump, a complainer, a depressive, a wet noodle, or a ghost can really be a drag on the family’s energy. But is an au pair’s impact on the family climate as powerful the […]

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Open Thread: Labor Day Weekend 2014

by cv harquail August 30, 2014

Happy Labor Day weekend– and for those of us whose kids (finally) go back to school this coming week, happy last day of summer vacation. Enjoy this open thread, to converse about anything your heart desires (as long as it fits within our Comments policy). Also, if there are things you want us to discuss on […]

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Open Thread: August 6

by cv harquail August 6, 2014

Hi All– Here’s an open thread to enjoy while I get things back together over here. A great business conference, a MIL visit, and all that freaking laundry from camp have kept me busy. What’s happening w/ you?

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When Your Au Pair’s Visa Doesn’t Come Through– what to do?

by cv harquail July 30, 2014

I’m expecting my first au pair to arrive in country on August 11th and to my house on August 15th. My au pair has not received her Visa and forwarded me the below photograph. Have you heard of this? What should we do? ~FranticSoonToBeHM

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