Foundations & Basics

Au Pair Gifts That Are Easy To Pack – From NoVA Twin Mom

by cv harquail November 28, 2012

NoVA Twin Mom lives in the DC Suburbs with DH and twin 2 year olds and an Au Pair. She writes: “Our first au pair left in mid-January, so we were very aware that anything she acquired in December had to be lightweight and easy to pack! These are some of the gifts that have […]

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Create and Share Your Au Pair Holiday Gift Ideas

by cv harquail November 26, 2012

There’s nothing like a well-chosen holiday gift to tell a person “I see you. I understand you. I care about you.” Each year, the Winter holidays give us a chance to let our au pairs know that we appreciate them as a family member, as a valued childcare giver, and as a young adult “on […]

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All Unhappy Au Pair Situations Are Unhappy in Complicated Ways

by cv harquail November 25, 2012

In the nearly 6 years we’ve been talking together on this blog, we’ve never once had a concern with an au pair that was simple. Never. Not once. The situation is never just “She won’t follow directions”, or “He can’t pass the state driver’s license test”. There’s always some complicated mix of themes, usually involving […]

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This Thanksgiving, Teach Your AuPair Real American Values with #GivingTuesday

by cv harquail November 20, 2012

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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Celebrate Democracy: Take Your Au Pair to a Polling Place

by cv harquail November 6, 2012

(I realize I’m a little late with this one, but maybe there’s still time.) We Americans often take democracy for granted. Too many of us just never make it to the polls to vote, even in a close presidential race like this one. In my family, voting has always been a big deal. My dad […]

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Did You And Your Au Pair Get Your Flu Shots?

by cv harquail October 29, 2012

Some folks seem to love to prepare for emergencies. Here in the New York Metro area folks are darting around getting water, batteries, and in my case lots of chocolate, so that they’ll be ready for whatever Hurricane Sandy as in store for us. You can’t believe the lines at the supermarket. This morning there […]

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Halloween Activities for Au Pairs and Kids

by cv harquail October 27, 2012

Every holiday gives your kids and your au pair a chance to work together, have fun and build memories with holiday-related crafts and activities. Cultural sharing and just plain ‘ole relationship-buidling happens in the doing of things. Given that Halloween is one of the trio of secular, nation wide cultural holidays (the other two being […]

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What’s your Host Parent Mindset?

by cv harquail October 2, 2012

If the world can be divided into two kinds of people, there are two types of Host Parents: Those who think they were born being perfectly good host parents, thankyouverymuch, and Those who are trying to learn how to be better host parents By virtue of being a reader of AuPairMom, you are obviously one […]

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Is it the au pair’s schedule or is it her attitude?

by cv harquail August 25, 2012

(Sorry All- I know the formatting is messed up. So much for trying to post from the Garden State Parkway. Here it is, in odd form, until I can fix it tomorrow. ;-) ) Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s driving the behavior of an au pair ( or anyone else for that matter, but […]

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Au Pair Asks: What welcome gifts do Host Parents enjoy?

by cv harquail August 3, 2012

Dear AuPair Mom, I’m European and will soon be flying to the US to meet my Host Family. I’m truly excited. Here’s my question: Nearly all Au Pairs bring gifts from their home city for the new families. For the host kids it’s easy to find something fun, but I’m not sure about what to get my […]

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