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Edina Stone - ArticlesI have worked in the au pair industry for over 10 years. When I retired, I left with many years of experience working with au pairs from over 40 countries and with over 2000 host families.
I decided to start a website to help host families find the best agency and the best au pair for their families. I know all the mistakes host families can make and these mistakes can be costly, time consuming and most importantly, harmful to their children. Our mission at www.AuPairClearinghouse.com is to help families avoid these mistakes so they can have the best au pair experience. I worked with so many wonderful au pairs from all over the world and their host families loved them, and treated the girls as if they were part of their family. I also worked with au pairs who came to the USA for all the wrong reasons or they were running away from problems at home or they had mental health issues. We are the only national consumer based information site that reports and reviews the au pair industry. Louise Woodward Innocent? Recent Research Raises Reasonable DoubtNew scientific research published in the Paediatric Development Pathology Journal (United Kingdom, 2009) sheds new light on SBS. Recent scientific findings may lend evidence to exonerate jailed "abusers" (who continue to protest their innocence) and could have a dramatic effect on future SBS and child abuse trials. The research may be point to reasonable doubt regarding the guilty verdict of manslaughter handed out to the now infamous au pair, Louise Woodward. Nanny Cams - Right or Wrong?Caregiver surveillance is more common nowadays and is an integral part of any good daycare. Some daycare centers now provide parents with the ability to check in and watch their child from their office - so it is not much of a stretch to consider installing a nanny cam in your own home. The public in general is becoming more comfortable with camera surveillance and we know we might be on video shopping, going to the bank, entering apartment and office buildings, etc. So, why not use nanny cams to protect children? German Guilt and the German Au PairWhen we worked to match Jewish families with an au pair, most of them were quite clear about one thing - "No German au pairs." They didn't care if they drove well or had good English. Some young Jewish parents admitted they were "okay" with hosting a German au pair, but their parents and grandparents would "never forgive them." So, we usually matched Jewish families with au pairs from any other country, except Germany. And, we didn't talk about it. Does Your Au Pair Know CPR?According to the American Academy of Pediatrics one child in the U.S. dies from choking on food every 5 days!
Is your au pair certified in CPR? Did your agency train your au pair to adequately handle such an emergency if your child started to choke on food? If your au pair does not have the CPR Certification or the necessary skills required to dislodge food from a child's throat, it may mean the difference of life or death for your child. Au Pairs and Host Families - Great ExpectationsAu pairs and host Families have different expecations about the cultural exchange program and their year together. Au pairs expect travel and a fun-filled 12 months (with a bit of baby-sitting thrown in) and host families expect 45 hours of childcare a week, and will expect the au pair to make beds, start dinner, do the laundry and walk the dog. When the two parties meet, with differing expectations, conflicts emerge and unhappiness and strife may prevail! Tips - Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Au PairA frustrating fact for host parents is all the au pair agencies seem to say the same thing about their programs: it is safe, cost effective and they screen all au pairs carefully (with both a criminal background check and psychological testing). The au pairs are described as good drivers, with proficient English and excellent childcare skills. What the agencies don’t tell you is that au pairs can and do slip through the screening process! Are We Really One World? German Au Pairs and Cultural DifferencesWith the weak economy and rising costs of childcare, the au pair program is extremely popular with American families. Cultural differences exist across Europe, Asia and South America and add flavor and spice to the family's experience with their au pair. Knowledge of cultural differences enhances your understanding of what to expect from your au pair when she arrives at your doorstep! What is an Au Pair?Defintion of an au pair and what kind of childcare au pairs can provide for American families. Culture Shock or Depression?Culture Shock is a phenomenon that occurs when a foreigner enters a new culture and experiences unpleasant adjustment symptoms that can range from problems sleeping, mental fatigue, a delay or refusal to speak the new culture’s language, a desire to return home and feelings of hopelessness. Au pairs experience culture shock in varying degrees when they arrive. Most of them adjust quickly but many go on to develop mental health issues, primarily depression.
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