The Buzz, Cultural Care Au Pair Blog

Movin' On Up!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:12:34 -0400

From time to time you may have a host family in your group who informs you that they might be moving at some point in the future. Other families may know exactly where and when they may be moving to a new location. Whether it’s around the corner or across the country, it’s so important that you let them know that you’ll need to check with your Program Director to make sure that we will be able to continue to service them in their new location. Therefore, getting the exact address and zip code of the town they are moving to is very important.

Due to State Department regulations, a Local Childcare Coordinator must live within one hour’s driving time of the host family’s location so it is essential that confirmation of the proper LCC coverage is confirmed. While host families may move from time to time, LCCs may also do the same so just because an LCC may be in their area today does not guarantee that by the time the family moves that there will still be coverage. Therefore, we cannot confirm with 100% certainty until close to their move date and after your Program Director has had the opportunity to confirm immediate and long-term LCC coverage with the corresponding Program Director for the new area.

While moving to a new location may prove to be a great opportunity for the host family and au pair, as the program sponsor, we need to make sure that we always keep the regulations in mind and check it out before they move on up!

German au pair, Benjamin Strauss, wins New York triathlon

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:11:51 -0400

Cultural Care au pair Benjamin Strauss, a 22-year-old from Berlin, recently became the Staten Island Triathlon’s first champion with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes and 1.7 seconds. An article on Staten Island Live said of the event, “There were plenty of good vibrations to go around, starting with Ben Strauss.” “’I had really only been training for this the past two or three weeks,” said Strauss, a veteran of about six triathlons in his native Germany, who only recently learned about this race from the Midland Beach family he has been working for as an au pair.” Benjamin has a passion for triathlons and, in addition to photos of the kids he has cared for, his au pair application is filled with pictures of him swimming, biking and riding. A great au pair and a great athlete — congratulations to Benjamin!

Cultural Care Au Pair host families and au pairs appreciate...

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:04:59 -0400

LCC Lee Rappaport of CA (right)

LCC Janice Vitiello of NJ (center)

LCC Jane Patterson of OH (right)

LCC Rona Zimberg-Brown of MD (left)

LCC Marcela Zacharova of VA (left)

LCCs in Connecticut!

LCC Elizabeth Boa of MD (center)

Cultural Care Au Pair host families and au pairs appreciate their Local Childcare Coordinators!

When we asked our host families and au pairs to take a moment to appreciate their LCCs on Cultural Care Au Pair’s Get Satisfaction website, we were thrilled to see an outpouring of love for our LCCs all over the country. Families and au pairs had lots of wonderful things to say, and here are just a few of the comments:

We appreciate our LCC, Claire Sheth (MA)! Claire of course has the basics down pat—prepared, positive, persistent, professional—but also she is fun-loving, enthusiastic, high-energy and most important, she actively seeks out ways to engage the host families and au pairs in our area. As a host family, we are looking forward to a peaceful and positive experience this year with Claire (and, of course, with our totally fabulous au pair, Christine.) —The Bustin Family

Being away from home its not easy. But when in a foreign land you find a friend who opens her house and heart to you, someone who listens to you and gives you advice, someone that’s there 24/7 for you, you dont feel alone anymore. I want to thank Ms. Janice Rosania Vitiello for being like a mother for us, for making us feel as part of her family!!!!! —Au Pair Diana

We are extremely blessed with Susan Reagan as our LCC. Our family has been in the program 13 years and by far Susan is the most dedicated LCC we have ever had. She shows compassion and understanding for her host families and au pairs alike. —Host Mom Jodi Conaty

I want to thank my LCC Elizabeth Boa in Bethesda, MD for her dedication, perseverance and support in this my first year as an au pair. Thanks Beth for always watching over us! —Au Pair Gaby

I am a brand new LCC and I hope that in the future I will be fortunate enough to have connected with my au pairs and families in such a way as I have read in these posts. You can feel the deep friendships that have formed between host families and au pairs and it is heart touching. This really says what the program is all about! —New LCC Katheryn Dy

In honor of LCC Appreciation Week, here’s my video about the...

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:37:00 -0400

In honor of LCC Appreciation Week, here’s my video about the role of your Local Childcare Coordinator, an invaluable resource, advisor, mediator and support. She or he will check in regularly, hold monthly meetings for au pairs, and offer support and advice throughout the year. Thank you to all our wonderful, caring and dedicated LCCs!

Happy LCC Appreciation Week

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:48:41 -0400

This week’s Nat Chat is dedicated to the amazing Local Childcare Coordinators at Cultural Care Au Pair. If you want to know how much they mean to their families and au pairs, just take a look at the unbelievable outpouring of support and love they’ve expressed on our community site. We are so proud of the work that they do each and every day and we are honored to have them represent our organization across the country. Thank you LCCs and Happy LCC Appreciation Week!

If "Foreign Language a Must" au pairs are the perfect fit!

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:44:00 -0400

Au pairs can help their host children learn a new language!

The New York Times posted an article yesterday entitled: Looking for Babysitters: Foreign Language a Must. It reveals a growing trend in the New York City area and beyond: many parents are looking for childcare providers that can help their children learn a second language—one they may not speak themselves.

According to the article, although learning multiple languages simultaneously “doesn’t make kids smarter” multi-lingual children:

learn additional languages more easily
do better at complex tasks like isolating information presented in confusing ways
do well in subjects like science and math due to the flexibility of their thinking

While some parents initially enrolled their children in classes to help them learn a second language, they all felt that that wasn’t enough for their kids to become fluent. Hiring an in-home caregiver who spoke the language of their choice was a natural next step.

The article mentions families who have foreign nannies and babysitters but not-a-one with an au pair. Even so, our program is a great fit for parents looking to expose their children to a different language. (Perhaps even a superior one due to the affordable cost and the fact that au pairs can stay with a host family for up to two years.)

A "Grace"ful Extension

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:28:00 -0400

The kind of visa that an au pair travels on is called a J-1 and allows them to participate in the program for 12 months. If they have successfully completed their program year, they are also provided with a 30 day grace period in order to travel and they are not allowed to work during this time. This grace period is meant to serve as an opportunity for them to be able to travel and see parts of the country that they may not have been able to during their program year.

One frequently asked question I receive is how that 30 day grace period works if an au pair chooses to extend their program term for 6, 9, or 12 additional months. The answer is that the grace period simply shifts to the end of that extension term. It cannot be used in between the first year and the extension term, it can only be used at the end before their departure to their home country. This means that what is often referred to as their “13^th month” simply shifts to become their 19^th month, 22^nd month or 25^th month depending on the length of their extension term.

Au pair childcare is affordable! We asked some of our current...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:18:29 -0400

Au pair childcare is affordable!

We asked some of our current host families to talk about the cost of hosting a Cultural Care au pair—and the result is a far cry from the myth that au pairs are “only for the wealthy.” At just $340 per week, for 45 hours of coverage (per family, not per child) au pair childcare costs less than daycare or a nanny in many communities. Watch what our host families have to say about how an au pair fits their budget!

Au Pair Weight Gain

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:46:00 -0400

Many of us are familiar with the infamous “freshman fifteen.” This is the typical weight gain for American freshmen away at college. One of the main concerns reported by au pairs in the first few months of coming to the states is the weight changes that occur.

Like a young person away at college without the benefit of a parent preparing meals and encouraging healthy eating habits, au pairs are in a new country for the first time and eager to experience everything it has to offer. For many this is their first experience with highly processed, calorie dense foods. Let’s face it, Americans eat more, weigh more, and exercise less than most other European, Asian, and South American countries. When au pairs come here they are often overwhelmed and astonished by the abundance in our grocery stores. One of the most popular destinations when entertaining visiting family and friends is the American grocery store. Au pairs are excited to try all of our indulgent confections and drive thru delicacies. Eating habits change toward the American palette and au pairs find they are driving more and walking less. It is par for the course that weight gain becomes inevitable.

If you are conscious about gaining weight when coming to the states, there are a few simple rules that will help you navigate your next overindulgent feeding frenzy.

1) Try to maintain good eating habits while in the States. While there are many fattening choices in the American pantry, we are also blessed with fruits and vegetables from around the world year round. Take advantage of this opportunity and make an effort to try some of them.

2) Eat similar to how you did in your home country. Most Americans eat 3 meals a day plus snacks through out the day. Depending on size and activity level, most women need between 1200-2400 daily calories to maintain their current weight. This is sometimes the amount of calories found in one fast food combo meal or a large specialty coffee drink. If you find yourself driving through more than once a day, you could be doubling or tripling your needed calories for the day.

3) Limit fast food to once or twice a week and avoid late night drive through runs with your friends. These unused calories add up fast.

4) Remember that everything is “supersized” in the states so eat the portions you are used to or share that combo meal with a friend.

5) Exercise daily if possible. Joining a gym is a great way to meet new people. The more you exercise, the more energy you will have. You can also look for activities to enjoy with the host children to keep you all moving together.

There is nothing wrong with trying new foods and occasionally indulging with friends. However, when this becomes the norm, it is sure to show up in your waistline. As with anything else, having a consistently healthy lifestyle is the best way to ensure a healthy, fit year!

Lisa Bravo, MC, LPC, LISAC, NC
Cultural Care Au Pair
Program Counselor

Home Alone

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:48:00 -0400

As you all know, it is a State Department regulation that au pairs work no more than 10 hours in one day. With all of the demands of a busy host family schedule, they may be quick to forget this important rule. Not only is the enforcement of this rule our obligation as representatives of the program, but the enforcement of this rule is there for the protection of the au pairs.

Host families may decide to take a trip without their au pair and this is certainly their decision. However, they may NEVER leave an au pair alone with their children while they travel unless they have secured alternate childcare which prevents their au pair from ever exceeding the 10 hour rule. Sleeping hours count if the au pair is alone with the children in the home so it is the host family’s responsibility to ensure that this program regulation is never violated by having another caretaker supplement these additional hours.

It is also the responsibility of the au pair to let you know if their host family has asked them to watch the kids for the entire weekend while they are away or for any extended period of time in excess of 10 hours. Program participants will be immediately terminated from the program if they are found in violation of this regulation.

I have dedicated this Nat Chat to this important topic because having a wonderful and trustworthy au pair has tempted some host families to try and attempt a quick “get away” without the kids. There are also au pairs who may offer to take on additional hours. This places the au pair in a position of responsibility that is far beyond the scope of this cultural exchange program. The more proactive you are in reminding your au pairs and families of the program rules and regulations, the better quality program we can provide and the best interest of ALL program participants can be maintained.

Au pair's mom bakes goodies for wounded U.S. troops abroad

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:40:00 -0400

Cultural Care host mom Sam (far right) with her au pair’s father, brother and mother (from left to right) in Landstul, Germany.

Maj. Sam Westbrook has been a flight nurse in the Air Force for over 12 years. Bringing home wounded American soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan is a mission she finds incredibly rewarding, right up there with being a mom to her three little girls, Maya, 5 years old and Mackenzie and Morgan, 3-year-old twins. Because Sam is regularly deployed for days or months at a time, hosting a Cultural Care au pair was a great childcare choice for her family. In Sam’s words, “Knowing there is another adult at home who loves my children and is able to help my husband Michael while I’m gone, gives me peace of mind and allows me to do my job.”

Besides peace of mind, Sam also appreciates the cultural exchange that comes with hosting an au pair—as do over 70 of her colleagues that she was traveling with this spring.

When she found out in March that she would be flying to Ramstein Air Base in Germany to move wounded soldiers from the Middle East back to the United States Sam had an idea. “Our current au pair, Aneta, is from the Czech Republic. So I thought I might try to meet up with her parents while in Germany.” That thought turned into a well-orchestrated plan and before long, Sam was meeting Aneta’s parents and brother at a restaurant in Landstul on a rare evening off during her aero-medical mission.

“Aneta’s parents drove 6 hours to meet me that night—and then drove another 6 hours to go back home. That alone was such a hospitable gesture. But they also brought with them dozens and dozens of freshly baked danishes and other goodies for me, my flight crew, and my 50 plus wounded soldiers. We were all so taken back by their generosity.”

Aneta’s mother and grandmother spent hours making these delicious treats which were greatly appreciated by the 70 plus people on board the aero-medical evacuation flight. For the troops who had been eating MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) for months on end, they were particularly welcomed.

“A lot of planning was involved to coordinate this meeting and I secretly wondered if it would be worth all the effort. Now I’m so glad we made it happen. It was a very surreal moment when I was feeding a wounded U.S. soldier baked goods make by my au pair’s Czech family, who had just met me for the first time in Germany.”

That wonderful experience has set the stage for an upcoming visit from Aneta’s family this month, and Sam and her family are very much looking forward to welcoming Aneta’s mother, father and brother into their home and returning the hospitality.

What an incredible example of breaking down barriers through cultural exchange! Thanks to Sam for contacting us recently about this story. We wish her luck her lots of luck in her future missions to bring our troops home safely.

What happens at the two-week orientation? After your new au pair...

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:17:54 -0400

What happens at the two-week orientation?

After your new au pair has settled in, your Local Childcare Coordinator will visit your family and your au pair in your home for what’s called a “two-week orientation meeting”. The purpose of this meeting will be for your LCC to make sure everything is going smoothly so far and to review program rules and expectations with both you and your au pair. To learn more about the two-week orientation, watch this video.

Fun With Food

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:30:00 -0400

Food and cooking can be the greatest connectors between people and cultures. Preparing and sharing a meal is a wonderful way to make someone feel welcome, express appreciation, and to share joy. Encourage the au pairs in your group to engage with their host children in preparing something special for their family. It’s a great way to spend time together doing something hands on and a wonderful gift to give to Mom and Dad after a long day at work. Looking for fun and simple recipes to make with kids? Check out helpful resources such as the websites listed below and Bon Appetit!

http://www.easy-kids-recipes.com/

http://www.childrensrecipes.com/

Mom-blogger "on the run" with the help of her au pairs

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:42:56 -0400

Sam’s son Emmett and daughter Caroline goofing around on their sailboat with au pair Romina.

Sam is a working mom of two kids who describes herself as being “on the run all the time” (hence her blog, Sam on the Run). These days, she is most certainly on the run— literally. Sam is fitting even more into her schedule these days in the form of weekly training runs, as she is hopeful to finish her first marathon before she turns 40.

How does she get it all done? Sam relies on the help of her Cultural Care au pairs. Her family has hosted eleven of them in total, including their current au pair Romina from Germany. Each one of them has provided excellent childcare…and more. Visit her blog to learn how her au pairs help her get closer to “Super Mom” status, expose her family to different cultures (most recently in the form of Swedish potato salad) and share in her family’s culture as well.

Good luck Sam on the Run. We wish you luck on your training for the Diva ½ Marathon in NY October 3^rd.

A Colorado family saves $7,000 a year using au pair childcare!

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:44:07 -0400

Nele Grasshoff, Cultural Care au pair of Hamburg, Germany with her host children.

The Summit Daily News of Colorado reported this week on the Ramsay Family who switched from day care to au pair childcare when their second daughter was born. Tammy Ramsay knew she had to re-evaluate her child care options due to the high cost of putting two kids into day care.

Says Tammy, “It’s been a journey for our family. We wanted to try it for a year. Now we wonder how we did it without it.” She calculates that her family has saved about $7,000 since welcoming their first au pair, Nele, into their home last fall.

The Ramsays also appreciate the one-on-one care Nele provides and the cultural exchange that comes as an added benefit to the program. “For me, it’s so great as a mom having the one person,” Tammy says. Since Nele shares her German language with the kids, they will potentially grow up tri-lingual as “the kids will also be learning Spanish at Dillon Valley Elementary.”

To read the full article, visit the Summit Daily News online.

Receiving Blunt Feedback

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:01:00 -0400

Receiving blunt or direct feedback is always a challenge. There are cultural and personality differences which impacts how information is communicated and received. Listening to blunt feedback can also feel very personal and therefore easily dismissed with anger and feelings of rejection. Despite these challenges there are ways to work with someone who has given you blunt, direct feedback and to apply it to your advantage.

Being able to understand and apply what we perceive as criticism requires a transformation of our perception of the situation. In response to what we perceive as a “threatening” situation, our mind’s natural defense mechanism will defend our position through adding adrenaline, this being the fight (such as yelling) or flight (such as giving up or isolating) neurological reaction; however by using logic and reasoning, we can turn a negative situation into one with options.

Take a Deep Cleansing Breath: This basic technique engages the part of the brain responsible for logic, reasoning, problem solving, and creativity. What this means is that you will be more likely to be constructive with your communication vs. reactive.
Mirror Back: If, when a person is giving you blunt feedback, there are one or two particularly hurtful words that the person uses, such as messy, unorganized or unreliable, you can mirror back their statement. This aids the person in recognizing that their communication was nonproductive. An example of this might be: “So what you are telling me is that you feel I am irresponsible because I did not clean up the playroom and finish the laundry?” By using their words, you are helping to point out that the feedback has been personal vs. one that addresses the situation.
Ask Questions: When a conversation feels unsupportive, asking questions is a way to change the course of the discussion to one that is productive and helpful. Ex: “Could you tell me more about what your concerns are?” or “Could we sit down later and discuss this more so I can be sure I understand what your concerns and priorities are?”
Don’t Let it Stew: When we feel offended, a natural response is to retreat, i.e. withdraw both physically and emotionally from the situation. Keeping difficult feelings inside leads to misunderstandings about the situation and the relationship in question. If you feel unable to communicate in the moment, ask to have a meeting later after you have had a chance to think through the person’s feedback. It is also helpful to write down some of your thoughts and questions. This will promote a closer relationship with the person, increasing trust and mutual respect.
Separate the Behavior from the Individual: Remember that blunt feedback is most often about a behavior or action that isn’t working for that individual or family. It is not a reflection of who you are as a person and it does not define you.

When you receive blunt feedback that feels like a personal attack, it is important to take the time to clarify with the person what their meaning is and what their ideas are for moving forward. Begin with a deep, slow breath (or several) and then try one of the strategies in an effort to promote mutual understanding and effective communication.

Elisa Elkin Cleary
LICSW
Cultural Care Au Pair Program Counselor

Thinking of You!

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:42:00 -0400

As the summer months continue, so does participation in sleep away camps for many host children across the country. In many families, one or more of the children may be gone for a period of time during the summer. One great way for the au pair to make sure they stay connected during this time away is to add something from them to the family care package or to send a postcard from the child’s home town. It’s great for the child to know that they are being thought of by their au pair and it can also help when they return home as they readjust. It’s a small gesture and a nice way to stay connected.

Why is it important to schedule regular family meetings? Family...

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:54:00 -0400

Why is it important to schedule regular family meetings? Family meetings are an important communication tool in creating a successful au pair experience. They are regularly scheduled meetings where all members of the family, including the au pair, touch base and talk about what is going well and what can be improved. The family meeting facilitates open communication and helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Learn more by watching this video.

5 weeks in Europe to visit 8 former au pairs and their families

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:52:00 -0400

Daniel, Hannah and their former Cultural Care au pair Sara on a boat crossing the Rhine River.

The Rogers Family of PA has hosted a total of 8 au pairs from 2001 to 2009…and right now, they are in the middle of a European adventure to visit each and every one of of them in their home towns! Mom Pam, her three children Hannah (12), Daniel (9) and Adam (8), Pam’s mother, Peg and mother-in-law Terry are traveling until August 26th to Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Sweden and France. They have already reunited with their fourth au pair, Sara, in Basel, Switzerland, after which Peg shared her thoughts on the family’s blog:

“It was great to visit Sara and her parents. I have to admit I teared up a bit when I saw Sara for the first time in so many years. It suddenly became apparent what an important role these au pairs have played in my grandchildrens’ lives. I remember how difficult it was to say goodbye to each girl as she left at the end of the year. We considered all of the au pairs members of our families and enjoyed watching each one grow with their experience in a new country with a different language and different customs from their own.”

To read more about this Rogers” adventures on the road, visit their blog which they take turns updating as they go!

What do au pairs learn at the Au Pair Training School? All...

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

What do au pairs learn at the Au Pair Training School?

All Cultural Care Au Pairs attend an intensive training program in child safey and child development when they first arrive in the U.S. at our exclusive Au Pair Training School. To learn more about our rigorous curriculum, watch the video.