Welcome, Anelia, another au pair from South Africa.

Anelia Pretorius (22) is another au pair from South Africa that  joined our cluster. She lives in Flemington, New Jersey.

“I’ve always wanted to see the USA and thought that being an au pair will give me that opportunity to explore America and experience different situations and mature more as a person. Learn to be more independent.”

Anelia’s hobbies include traveling and exploring new things, she also likes kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, tubing and other outdoor activities.

Anelia would describe herself as loyal, friendly and independent. She is also good at dancing, and finding new things to do. Her wish would be to always achieve whatever comes her way.

Welcome Anelia! We’re all looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you better 🙂

Autism Speaks

Saturday, September 20th

AUTISM – do we actually realize how big of a serious development disability this really is?

 What is AUTISM?

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors…”                                                                                                                     Continue reading here.

Go Au Pair has chosen Autism Speaks, because whats the mere definition of being an au pair? – To love and take care of children. Since we are childcare providers, we can change the future of theses kids, through fundraising for research and treatment.

Our Au pair cluster have had a few charity events this year, including the one we had last weekend at rice’s market, where we raised more than $270) dedicated to making people aware of autism and helping Autism Speaks raise money. The goal that we had was to raise $500, and so far with all of the events together we have raised more than $700.

Our next big event is the Walk for Autism on 2 November at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148. It starts at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome!

All that being said, I am proud call myself an au pair and definitely honored to be part of such a great group of au pairs who put their own needs aside and helping others. Hope to see everyone on the 2nd again! 🙂

 

For those who missed it, go read Polina’s article about Autism too.

Travel as an Au Pair

Ophelia’s diary.

One of the great benefits of being an Au Pair is that you can travel as much as you want! I used my weekends, paid vacation travelled to a lot places. Also, I had chances travelled together with my host family. I appreciate all of these so much.

So far I have been in New York, Houston, Atlantic City, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington DC and Las Vegas. I can’t believe I have already travelled so much just in one Au Pair year. I can write all my stories into a book!

What really matters is not how many places you went but what you got from your journey. I harvest love from host family, friendship from Au Pair friends, also my true love during my Au Pair journey.

Young heart will never stop traveling. It’s great traveling as an Au Pair.

Read more stories from Ophelia’s Diary.

Sharing my Au Pairs experience

Meet Mexican Au Pair Annie from NJ, the Go Au Pair cluster  and read her interview.

Annie  is a second year Au Pair, and she has been in the US almost two years. Annie has an experience working with three different families. She is a very kind, warm and thoughtful.  Annie has an delightful smile and tons of friends. She is the first person to ask if any Au Pair needs help.

Today Annie is sharing her experience with the Au pair program. 

What is your favorite thing about being an au pair?

The best this is that I get to travel.

What has been your best experience living in the US thus far?

I have learned so much about theatre tech with the college classes and I also improve my English a lot.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned that being an au pair has taught you?

I learned to pick and choose battles when it come to live with people who are not your family

Would you recommend the au pair program to others?

Yes and no. Yes cause you get to travel and meet new people from all over the world.

No because living with people who are not your family is really difficult so you need to have tons of patients.

We all will miss Annie, she is going home next month. Good Luck with your life journey!

Theo’s Baby Music Class.

Ophelia’s Diary.

Being an Au Pair in America is very rich experience and a lot of fun. I love these special moments. One of them is taking a music class with Theo. My host kid Theo is only 14 months old, we took baby music class from several months ago. 

At first, I though Theo was too young, it would be hard for him to enjoy the class. Actually I was wrong!

 Both Theo and I learnt a lot from his music class!

Apparently, Theo is a little musician. He can play piano, guitar, drum, xylophone. I am so proud of him! Also, he likes dancing with music. When he cries, music always helps comfort him a lot.

There were many babies and toddlers in the music class.

Theo made a lot new friends. I met a lot moms and nannies there too.  This music class is good to train Theo’s music sense. Also, it helped me learn some American popular nursery rhyme.  I had a lot of fun taking music class with Theo.

Read more stories from Ophelia’s Diary. 

Successful Au Pair year in America

Blog summary of the information and links regarding a successful Au Pair year in America.

According to J-1 Visa Exchange Visitors Program ,”Through the Au Pair program, participants and host families take part in a mutually rewarding, intercultural opportunity. Participants can continue their education while experiencing everyday life with an American family, and hosts receive reliable and responsible childcare from individuals who become part of the family.” 

What to read on my blog regarding how to become part of the host family and have a successful Au Pair Year in America.

Au Pair ‘s preparation to the arrival.

Тop Ten Tips for New Au Pair

Au Pairs and winter colds.

Connect with Au Pair Sis.

5 things I learned being an Au Pair.

Au Pairs making friends

Au Pair free time.

Communication between Host Parents and Au Pair.

How to resolve a conflict.

Bonding with the children.

 

With my host child Theo- never feel alone.

Ophelia’s Diary.

The happiest part of being an Au Pair is having a lovely host child accompany me all the time. With Theo’s accompany, I will never feel alone.

Grandma even said that I am Theo’s first girlfriend. It was so nice of her said like that. Now as Theo’s ‘girlfriend’, I would like to share some interesting stories about him with you and you can even watch a movie about my lovely Theo.

Even though Theo is less than 9 months old, he can eat three meals by himself everyday.

Most of the time he was quite happy on his high chair.

We love to see Theo eating his meals. And that’s really quite cute and messy.

 

In China, parents feed their children all the time. Even when the children are 2 or 3 years old, they still don’t know how to eat by themselves. I think teaching children how to eat by themselves at an early age is very important and smart.

 

Do you want to know more interesting stories about Theo? Come here and join us next time!

Read more stories from Ophelia’s Diary.

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5 things I learned being an Au Pair.

By Sandra, the Au Pair from Colombia.

There are 5 important things I learned being an Au Pair.
1.Love: love what you do and put the best of you in it. Live with love, teach kids with love and spread love around.

2. Patience: when you work with children one of the most important things is being  a patient, attentive and responsible adult. When working with kids sometimes you need to handle the stresses, frustrations, and  the emotional swing.

3.  Adaptability: you find that some things are weird to you, but some things are also weird for your host family. This is normal, we all are different,  the most important thing is being always polite, respectful and understating.

4. Communication: have constant communication with your host family because you live together. It is always good to be honest and ask questions.

5. Flexibility: try to be flexible and ready to help. Sometimes the schedule changes: parents are late or kids get sick. Many things happen and a real life is sometimes far away from what was expected.

Being an Au Pair with Go Au Pair I learned a lot and I am looking forward to learn more with my new family and their kids.  It is fun to be around the kids, they are so enthusiastic, active and curious. I like to teach them new things and to see them grow up happy and confident. I can’t wait to meet my host family and their kids!

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Being an Au Pair, I learned important things.

By Sandra, the Au Pair from Colombia.

Being an au pair for two years has changed my life and opened my eyes- I discovered that my true passion in life is working with children.

I love kids and I like working with children because I believe that they are our future and they will have new ideas and solutions to many problems we have in the world nowadays. 

Being an Au Pair I learned the importance of doing a great job especially when taking care of the kids.

Living with my host family in Philadelphia, I am taking care of three children: 6 months girl, 3 years old boy and 4 years old girl.  They keep me busy and I love to be with them. I love to teach new things to my kids since I believe they can learn while having fun!  My family says that I am the best nanny they have ever had, they feel that I am looking after the kids like a family member.

Being an Au Pair, I learned a lot about children.  My experience with the two families have taught me a lot about the importance of discipline and love. A part of what I’ve learned about children, also taught me a lot about my life. Now I can see a different perspective of my life and life through kids eyes.

Above all I learned to appreciatee the education. I want to study child care or children psychology in the future.

Being an Au Pair I learned a lot from others when I was traveling and meeting new people. I learned the importance of exercising, reading, listening to music, having hobbies and activities,  all these will help me to grow and be a better person.

I love being an aupair.  I have many friends here, in Philadelphia, and my loving host family who always help me. My experience with Go Au Pair agency has especially been wonderful.

My new journey just begins, ahead of me is a new adventure – my second Au Pair year. I would like to find a kind and loving family near Philadelphia with whom I can share my experience as au pair, give the best of myself and grow as a person.

Read more about my 5 important things I learned being an Au Pair.

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Amazing Experience with Go Au Pair.

Being an Au-Pair has been a very Productive experience for me. I’m on my second year now. In August of 2011 was the time when I thought I was getting away from my comfort zone when I left South Africa. I was scared and didn’t know what life would be like on the other side of the world. But then I found myself experiencing things that I’ve never experienced before, I found myself doing things I’ve never done before.

I found myself making decisions without having to consult my mom or sister to make sure it’s the right decision. Wait… I finally found myself. That’s called being Independent. It took me being away from what I thought was my comfort zone to actually realize that the comfort zone is within myself.

In other words this is the experience that every young woman deserves to have. Having to travel to amazing places, making friends from all over the world, learning different cultures and different types of food, I’m talking Brazilian, Russian, Colombian, German, Canadian, Chinese. the list goes on. But the most important thing is the joy that you bring to Your host family by taking care of their precious children.

The trust and respect that you get from the Kids and parents, it all shows that you do not need to be a mom or a dad to feel like a parent, which is an amazing experience. I don’t go a day without having my host-kids telling me how much they love me. We tell each other that every day.

I strongly believe that the influence you have on the kids stay part of them for the rest of their lives. I try by all means to stay positive, show them love and respect for themselves and other people. And I am happy to say that I get the same kind of treatment from the entire family. I’ve been happy ever since I came here 17 months ago. I will forever cherish this experience.

When I’m not working I get together with friends and have lots of fun. We also have parties with other Au-Pairs almost monthly which are always fun.

I want to give thanks to our LAR Polina, she is the best. And to all the host parents who are giving us (Au-Pairs) the chance to experience different cultures.

Last but not least, a special thanks goes to all the Au-Pairs that are sending a positive message out to the nation, because what you teach to a child today will be revealed to the nation when they grow up. So let’s keep showing them love, respect and a true meaning of happiness and also learn some things from them.

If we do that correctly, I believe that the world could become a better place.

Phila, the Au Pair from South Africa.

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