Classic Case: Can you change a Princess?

by cv harquail February 2, 2011
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A Host Mom writes: Hello! I am writing because I have a bit of a princess situation on my hands — a princess situation with nuance. I am looking for advice on how to try to make this work. Our new AP, 19 years old, arrived about a month ago from a Western European country. […]

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Au Pair Community Resources: Calling all LCCs, Experts and Artists

by cv harquail January 30, 2011
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Several LCCs have emailed to ask if we could include their blogs in the list of LCC blogs on the sidebar. I’d like to be able to list any counselor, consultant, or expert who has something to offer to the AuPairMom community, and I’d like to upgrade this to a fuller and more organized presentation […]

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When Host Parents Disagree, once an Au Pair has let them down

by cv harquail January 29, 2011
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When there is more than one host parent in the household, it’s important for host parents to present a united front. Parents & Partners need to agree on household rules, behavioral expectations, and childcare preferences, and communicate in agreement to the au pair. When host parents disagree, it is impossible for an au pair to […]

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Candid, awkward issue: Choosing Au Pairs who are obese

by cv harquail January 26, 2011
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AuPairMom is a place where we host parents (and au pairs) can talk about issues that only other host parents and au pairs can understand. Often, these issues are tough ones that touch upon cultural differences, style differences, political differences, and deep personal preferences. Every now and then, we get a topic that we want […]

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If my au pair gets married, can she still au pair?

by cv harquail January 23, 2011
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What happens if your au pair decides to get married– not just engaged, but actually married — during her year with your family? We have our first au pair. She is from China and she has been with us since July. She met a man and is planning on getting married in a few days. […]

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Most Engaging Posts of 2010 on Au Pair Mom (part 2)

by cv harquail January 21, 2011
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You asked, and here they are: The 11 to 20th most engaging posts of 2010! 11. Au Pair Asks: When Host Kids Are Mean (86) 12. Au Pair Abruptly Quits, then wants to come back to see kids. Really? (poll) (85) 13. Can an Au Pair be happy without driving privileges? (80) 14. Au Pair […]

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Something’s Missing: Not the GPS, but her sense of Responsibility

by cv harquail January 20, 2011
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From HostMom Needing Guidance: Dear Au Pair Mom readers — We’re 7 months into our year with our current AP. It’s been a good year so far and she is a great AP. She’s good with the kids and fairly easy to live with, and we’re starting to think about whether to extend. However, I […]

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Traveling Together — Managing your Au Pair’s independence and Safety

by cv harquail January 18, 2011
And his voice had the sound of water leaving a vaseline bathtub

Dear AuPairMom Readers– I would love the input of some other host families regarding our upcoming cruise vacation with our Au Pair. We have never done a vacation like this with an AP and I am concerned about how best to make it work. Going along on the cruise are me (Host Mom), my husband, […]

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I Know a Great Au Pair going into rematch… how can I help her find a good family?

by cv harquail January 17, 2011
I am serious. And don

We try not to meddle, but sometimes the temptation is too high… like, when you know a ReallyGreatAuPair® who’s going into rematch. Host Mom Jemima would love your advice, maybe even if it means trying to do a re-match through the comments… ! From Host Mom Jemima — When I was choosing my current (and […]

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Au Pair Asks: My Host Mom wants to get rid of me. … Am I alone in this feeling?

by cv harquail January 16, 2011
Heartbroken

Readers, here’s another one of those emails that I just don’t have a good answer for… Can any of you au pairs or host parents offer her some comfort? Hi Au Pair Mom, I am an au pair and always read this blog, to know if I am doing right, to have kind of a […]

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