Random Advice

How do we know when it’s time to give up?

by cv harquail September 9, 2009
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Our first 2 Au Pairs were fantastic … but we are having a hard time bonding with #3. She initially had difficulty keeping our 2 boys (age 5), and focused on activities rather than wrestling but seems to be improving in that area (very slowly)… However, getting her to talk to us or the kids […]

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Who pays for what?

by cv harquail September 7, 2009
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Sometimes the concept of treating an au pair like a ‘member of the family’ doesn’t give you enough guidance. This seems especially true when it comes to figuring out ‘who pays for what, when’. We got a request (using the Skribit feature) for a post that would heolp to establish some guidelines for this. I’ve […]

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You and the Flu

by cv harquail September 7, 2009

Get vaccinated ?Time to get over your “But I hate shots!” whining and ranting. Educate yourself on available vaccinations, talk with your doctor, and view the CDC website. They have vaccination information here. Wash your hands and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. ?Giving high-fives should be a safe and friendly sport. I used to think […]

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Checkout Task List: Back by popular demand

by cv harquail August 26, 2009
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(Several readers have asked to see this list again… turns out it’s been hard to find, probably I need to use more & better tags. Until the rainy day when I get to play with the folksonomy, here’s the Checkout Task List! originally posted Aug 25, 2008) When your aupair is getting ready to leave […]

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Advice for this au pair? Lost form, lost faith, and altogether lost…

by cv harquail August 18, 2009
Stop all the clocks.... Photo 3 of 3 "SOOC" edition on Flickr - Photo Sharing!_1240241782069.jpeg

It’s the kind of situation that gives host families a bad reputation…I got an email tonight from an au pair trying to help out another au pair…. can you offer her your advice? Dear Au Pair Mom Helper, My friend has a problem and I am trying to help her out as much as I […]

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Technical Difficulties

by cv harquail August 15, 2009

Hi All- Tracy twittered me to tell me that there are some problems with “functionality”, particularly with trying to get to posts from the ‘recent comments’ section on the sidebar. I wanted to let you all know that I know and that I’ll be working on a solution. Please let me know (via email) if […]

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What a little bird said about Au Pairs

by cv harquail July 26, 2009

Anyone with room in her room at #Blogher09? I Found a roomie, but am still getting requests from folks off waitlist. How can we help? # #blogHer09 Anyone going who writes about business, strategy, management? Love my ‘domestic’ blog but my scholarly blog needs community too # @ShiploadofWilco sign me up # @modite Super cute […]

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What a little bird said about Au Pairs

by cv harquail July 19, 2009

RT @CravingBalance: Women to Jack Welch: We don’t separate work and life, and we don’t want what you think we want. New paradigm. # RT @TheMamaBee: via @TimeforMom & @momadvice 9 ideas for date nights for broke parents with no babysitter http://tr.im/sgXx Really sweet . # Size Matters! RT @lesmckeown: < 50 emps? Business success=your […]

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What a little bird said about Au Pairs

by cv harquail July 12, 2009

@dawnpopp Dawn, how is it that your AP wants to cook for you, but (seems like) everyone elses just want to eat? Spill the secrets! # @CaliYost rt @CravingBalance Wally Bock: work life balance comes down to choices, choices connected to what you value. http://ow.ly/gzqQ # @AuPairAnswerMom To me, some of these reasons 4 APs […]

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Food secrets from the West Coast: Calif Mom shares all!

by cv harquail July 7, 2009

Calif Mom gets her own post this time! Just TOO MUCH good info to tuck in there as the 27th comment on the Groceries post. Calif Mom writes: For the broader discussion I can vaguely imagine for myself, in some sort of idealized parallel universe, a life in which I would have the entire week’s […]

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