AuPairMom.com — Au Pair Advice, from and by Moms & Dads! We're changing the world, one host family at a time…

Advice Wanted: German Culture insight?

by cv harquail May 5, 2009

Host parents, here’s an awkward question; read it and you’ll see why. "I am in serious consideration of making a match with an au pair from Germany and have a question to ask you or your readers. When we were discussing her arrival dates, she mentioned she did not want to depart from Germany during […]

26 comments Read the full article →

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Considering Rematch

by cv harquail May 5, 2009

How soon can you know that it just won’t work? Dory asked a question (which I post below) about whether she’s reasonable to think that she should rematch with another au pair. She’s only had this one for 3 months, but it isn’t promising. My quick response to her prompted this advice … 5 Questions […]

29 comments Read the full article →

Au Pair Appreciation: Try this today!

by cv harquail May 5, 2009

_wp-content_uploads_2009_05_2130-2111440024-54897b82a8.jpg

International Au Pair Appreciation Week Moms and Dads, it’s still International Au Pair Appreciation Week, and there is STILL TIME for you to send in a note, a sentence and/or a photo to share with the world something that you appreciate about your au pair. I’d love to have a few more submissions! Still, I […]

Read the full article →

11 Tips for Considering an Au Pair in Rematch

by cv harquail May 4, 2009

Oh dear. You’re in rematch. Maybe you were horrible. Maybe your au pair was horrible. Maybe you should have decided sooner, then again maybe you both could have tried harder. Whatever, it’s been a bad experience. The decision to rematch has been made, and now… you need childcare, and you don’t have much time to […]

24 comments Read the full article →

Au Pair Appreciation: A collage of love

by cv harquail May 4, 2009

thinking of you bird inkstainswithroni.jpg

International Au Pair Appreciation Week As shared by a Host Mom After being with us for only 2 months, our AP made us a beautiful collage for Christmas of photos that she had taken of the children and our dogs. It was so thoughtful and we were absolutely thrilled! It now hangs on our bulletin […]

Read the full article →

Au Pair Appreciation: St. Lucia

by cv harquail May 3, 2009

International Au Pair Appreciation Week As shared by a Host Mom Our last AP was from Stockholm, Sweden. Her mother sent her 3 Swedish white ‘nightgown’ style dresses, electric "crowns" and bulbs so that she could celebrate St. Lucia Day for our benefit in December 2008. She baked sweet rolls flavored with saffron, taught our […]

Read the full article →

Au Pair Appreciation: Support and kindness from the Au Pair across the street

by cv harquail May 3, 2009

International Au Pair Appreciation Week As shared by a Host Mom Unfortunately, with three transitions under our belt in a little over a year, our family has not had the best experience with the Au Pair program. Many people have asked us why we don’t just throw in the towel and put our kids in […]

Read the full article →

Au Pair Appreciation: Showing our sons the way

by cv harquail May 2, 2009

International Au Pair Appreciation Week As shared by a Host Family Our Swedish, male, au pair is a wonderful addition to our family. We wanted a young man from the start. Our very active 9-year-old twins need to have a high-energy au pair who can manage and channel their energy into positive activities. Daniel is […]

6 comments Read the full article →