Clothing guidelines for Aupairs and Host children

Attached is Clothing Guideline that was created to help Au Pairs and host families discuss the proper clothing children should be(and should not be) wearing to and from school and when playing outside during these colder temperatures. As every family is different with different age children and different guidelines, it is important that each family discusses with their Au Pair and their children about the proper clothing to wear in the mornings to school or playing outside. I know that my own children like to wear shorts to school or no jacket and they fight me in the mornings(and they are 12 and 14 years old).  Your Au Pair needs to know what he/she needs to do when a child refuses to put on a the suggested clothes that you require them to wear.  Some families would say "My child is old enough to make his/her decisions and understands the consequences" and some families would say "Do not let my child leave for school without a jacket or they must be wearing long sleeves". If this is the case, the Au Pair needs to know that it is ok to be late until the child listens or does she force the child to wear it?  Like I said, every family is different and it is so important to discuss difference scenarios with your Au Pair depending on your children's ages.

Because all Au Pairs come from different climates, Host Families should not "expect" the Au Pair to know unless you give them your rules based on living in Michigan.  It is important to remind the children as well before they go to bed or in the morning "Don't forget it is colder today/tomorrow so you must wear a long sleeve shirt to school along with your jacket".

Au Pairs, when winter comes, it is very important to have a list of what each child needs to wear "Hat, scarf, boots, gloves, jacket". It is also VERY VERY IMPORTANT that you make sure the children come home from school with all the items they left for school in the morning.  It is very common for children(young and old) to leave their jacket, gloves and hats at the school and if it is Friday, it will be important to get them back for the 

weekend.