New to the Area

It never fails, I am always finding new reasons as to why an au pair is such a great childcare option.  I recently moved to a new city.  I no longer live near my friends that I could call on for childcare help. 

Whether you stay at home, work outside the home, are married, or single, there are so many things an au pair could do to help out during and after a move. In addition to the obvious things (such as watching the children while you pack) here are a few others to consider:



--You have a long list of to-do's when you move (find a home, research then register kids for school, set up utilities, pack, unpack, etc).  How nice not to have to research daycare centers or other childcare options in the middle of all that choas!


--I went to apply for my new State License and to register my car.  Have you ever done that with kids in tow?  Not fun.  Then they tell me I have to take a written test and cannot have my children with me while I take it.  Not so easy to find someone to watch the kids when you don't know anyone.

--Date nights--it takes time to get to know people--especially that you feel comfortable enough to leave your children in their care.

Infant Care

If you're like me, you are protective over your infant.  I won't let just anyone take care of my sweet baby.  I need to be sure that they have experience with babies and that they feel comfortable taking care of them.  It's a lot different to take care of a 5 year old compared to a 5 month old.

That's why I think it's such a relief to parents that not only can they choose the au pair with the experience that meets their specific needs, but the Department of State goes one step farther in requiring that all children under age 2 can only be matched with an au pair with a minimum of 200 hours of care for children under 2--and it cannot be an infant that they are related to.  So, when host families are looking at applications, they know that the applicants they are reviewing have already been screened and have the infant experience they need.

New York Workshop 2013 Dates

Go Au Pair has just announced their dates for 2013's New York Workshop.  Host Families interested in having their au pair attend this training should keep these dates in mind when planning on your au pair's arrival.

January 14-17      
February 4-7        
March 4-7              
April 15-18                 
May 6-9                  
May 20-23              
June 3-6                
June 17-20            
July 8-11              
July 22-25              
August 5-8            
August 19-22        
September 9-12    
September 23-26  
October 14-17      
November 11-14  
December 9-12

Excellent Childcare for Special Needs Children

Do you need childcare for a child with special needs? Do you want them to have the care they need, while being given one on one attention? Au Pair are able to work with children with special needs.  In fact, the IAPA Au Pair of the Year was awarded to one of Go Au Pair's fabulous au pairs--Mariela Poveda.  She cared for a special needs girl and did an outstanding job-in fact she went above and beyond what any normal childcare provider would do.  See her video above.

Here's a few things that may help you consider the au pair route:

-Parents form close relationship with Au Pair, work as a team to raise child/children
-Can care for your special needs child exactly as you train them to
-One-on-one care, safely in home environment
-If multiple kids, allows you to spend precious time with your special needs child and/or with the other children
-Au Pair can take your child to therapy or doctor appointments, or stay with the other children while you go
-More focus on quality time with your child vs. doing tasks like laundry / cleaning
-Coverage for personal time (shopping, exercise, hobbies, date night)
-Less crazy mornings, can relax in evenings
-Giving your kids quality child care plus unique cultural exchange exposure, broaden your kids' horizons,  learn foreign language, language exposure for overall increased creativity
-Big sister or big brother, part of the family, like a year-long sleepover with best friend, fun!
-Flexible schedules, in home convenience
-Consistency for you and child(ren), because most placements are one year long or more

Although Au Pairs are not trained / registered nurses nor medically qualified, MANY Au Pairs are interested in working with / learning about special needs. They may want the experience for themselves, for a career, or for future education. You can learn more during the matching process when you choose your Au Pair.

Craft Challenge--Au Pair Sis

Au Pair Sis did a fun Craft Challenge on Pintrist and posted in on Facebook. For some reason the blog is not allowing me to post pictures right now, so you'll have to go to the Pintrist link to see an example of what rain sticks look like.

I bought a rain stick in Brazil several years ago, the kids love them!

Disciplining Children in America

The Au Pair Sis did a video clip and a blog on Disciplilng Children in America.  It's interesting to me because my mom and I were having a conversation about this not long ago.  As I've mentioned before, my mom is from Mexico.  She has been in the US for about 40 years, but still chuckles when mothers here (including my sisters and me) tell our children to look us in the eye when we are discipling them.  In Mexico that is very, very disrespectful.  When a child is being disciplined they are to look down, not at the adult disciplining them.  That is a sign of respect and submission. 

I guess this is a lesson to both us parents and au pairs--don't get offended or hurt when things are done differently.  Communication is key!  If you have questions or concerns about a discipline method or how the children/au pair are reacting, talk about it. It may just be a cultural difference.

ECUADOR--January Featured Country

For the month of January receive a $100 discount if you match with an au pair from Ecuador!

Au Pair of the Year Nominations Deadline is January 17th

Thursday, January 17th is the last day to nominate your au pair for the Annual IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award.  This award is given to one au pair and is chosen from au pairs nominated all around the world. 


Has your au pair been amazing this year?  Has she gone above and beyond?  Nominate her!!  Can you imagine what an honor it would be for your au pair to receive this prestigious award?

Also, there will be incentives to families chosen to highlight their au pair on their website. Click here to go to Go Au Pair's nomination page and learn more.

Tips for Host Families and Au Pairs

Check out this great list of advice from Host Families and Au Pairs!