Expectations

We all have expectations going into our au pair/ host family relationship and the key to a successful year is communicating these expectations. We cannot assume that either party knows what we are thinking, feeling or wanting. We spend a few weeks or months communicating over Skype and email so we should have a fairly good idea of each others personalities but meeting in person and living under the same roof brings up many new things and if we do not communicate with each other small things become enormous and hard to deal with. We has a host family need to provide good guidelines in a written format to the au pair of what the hours are and what we expect of the au pair. When they have time off and when they are expected to work for us, what kind of chores we would like them to do around the house and no this does not include cleaning your whole house, au pairs are not a maid service. But they can help around the house, kids laundry, clean up dishes, light vacuuming, pick up kids rooms, etc
Au pairs need to ask questions and communicate back to the host family what their expectations are, can they use the car for social purposes, will the family provide a gym membership, who pays for the gas in the car, extra vacation time, all these things are perks but we all need to talk to each other and understand where each side is coming from.

When we had our first au pair ten years ago we were very green! I made a lot of mistakes, i did not have a schedule written out for her, I did not have all the essentials in her room, radio, CD player, TV I just thought I would wing it, it would all be okay. I quickly learned she was unhappy and she wanted to leave, not because she did not like us but because we were not prepared. Thankfully our area director then helped out and made us communicate and see things from both sides. We ended up having a wonderful year together. So I cannot stress how important COMMUNICATING is

What to do in case of a Tornado

Now that we are in the midst of Tornado season and we saw the devastation a tornado can do in Joplin, MO. We need to discuss with our Au Pairs what to do in case the sirens go off and there is a tornado watch. Tornados are really a Midwest phenomenon, it is what put Kansas on the map with the story of the Wizard of Oz. Have a plan for your family as to what you do in case of a tornado warning, make sure your Au pair understands what is expected of her and tell her what to do if you the host parents are not home. Tornados can strike at any time of day, but luckily they give us a little time to prepare so it is important to go over your families procedures before the storm hits. If you do not have a basement to go to then explain what is the safest place in your house, Usually a bathroom away from windows. Make sure your au pair always has her cell phone within reach. Stay safe
Tornado safty
http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/safety.htm

Living a Simple yet Urban lifestyle is it possible?

As our lives get busier, two working parents, two kids , two dogs and a nanny how do we maintain the simple life in this urban environment? It is important to me to feed my family healthy food and for my children to know where their food comes from. It does not come from a box pre-packaged and pre-made. It is easier than you think to keep a simple life and not really that much more expensive. I make my own bread, it is cheaper and tastier than store bought bread and it makes the house smell good. We buy local milk from the Shatto company, the best milk ever, comes in glass bottles which you recycle at the store. And we just got our first order of produce from Fruitful Hills, a local Amish family that provides food for the Urban dwellers. I believe it is possible to live a more simple life in the midst of our hectic Urban lifestyle. All these things help teach the next generation to maybe slow down a little and enjoy the little things in life in the midst of iphone,ipads and ipods!

How to deal with homesickness

We have all encountered a bout of being homesick one time or another. Aupairs often feel a bit of homesickness the first weeks after arriving in America. The best solution to prevent homesickness is keeping busy in the first few weeks. As an aupair get out and make friends, reach out to other aupairs in your area, spend time with your host family and really get to know them, try to limit your conversations with family and friends at home. It is difficult to get to know your life in America when all you think about is what you left behind. Immerse yourself in the American culture as much as possible, that is why you came to America to learn something new and be away from home.
As a host family look for the signs of homesickness. Include your aupair as much as possible, eat dinner together, talk and learn about your aupairs culture and family and friends. Communicating and getting to know each other will help both the aupair and host family to limit homesickness and make for a successful year.

Should you take your Au Pair on vacation

To take your aupair on vacation or not, I get that question often. I think it is up to each family to decide whether they want their aupair along on a family vacation. It can be a big help having the aupair along allowing you some adult time and you know your kids are safe since they are with their regular babysitter. But there are times when you just want some family time and don't need the aupair along. It really is a personal choice for each family and a question of finances. If you bring the aupair along and she is working then it is reasonable that you pay for their trip. Having her share a room with the kids is very common. It can be a nice treat for the aupair to come along. We would bring our aupair along when we first started with the aupair program 9 years ago, but now we tend to leave the aupair home. We enjoy spending time with our kids while vacationing, though I must admit that on this last vacation having had some help would have been nice, an evening out would have been great.