Through posters, performances, food samples, games and maps, au pairs will provide attendees with insights about their homeland. Children will be presented with passports that will be stamped as they proceed through the countries represented.
Au Pair in America offers live-in childcare providers from around the world. The au pairs all have a one-year visa and the option to stay with their host family for a second year.
Crofton resident Abby Shannon has been using the service since 2005 to provide childcare for her son Russell, who is now 12.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids and the au pairs alike,” said Abby. “It’s interesting for them to share cultures and it opens their eyes to different ways of doing things.”
“The au pairs work 45 hours a week and at this point I am dependent on the regularity of it,” said the single mother, who manages the human resources department at a credit union. “I can go out to dinner or take a Pilates class or have our au pair take my son to a doctor appointment. It’s very helpful.”
Citing the flexibility and the reliability of the program, Abby said that she determines the hours that their au pair works as her schedule changes.
Abby also said that the au pair screening process is very thorough. Host families can interview prospective au pairs through Skype, review their profiles, email back and forth and share photos.
“One of our au pairs called my son her little dictionary because he liked to talk a lot,” said Abby. “It has always been important for me to ensure that our au pair has good English skills.” She also said that the au pairs benefit from having a more talkative, older child in their charge since they are seeking to improve their English skills, a task that would be more challenging if they were caring for a young child with a more limited vocabulary.
In exchange, the au pairs also share their first language with their charges.
“Lots of families want their children to learn another language so they have their au pair speak strictly in their native tongue,” said Natasha Wrobel, who has served as Senior Community Counselor for Au Pair in America for the past 12 years. The Piney Orchard resident and mother of three first learned about the service after having her first child. Natasha was on active duty in the Air Force working in Washington, D.C., and her husband was working long hours in Baltimore. “I wanted someone who could focus all of their attention on my child,” said Natasha. “The program enabled my son to stay in his home environment and alleviated the issue of bringing home illnesses.”
Natasha’s au pair was from Germany, a great match as Natasha was born in Germany, stationed there for three years and also spoke the language.
“The program is cheaper than regular daycare if you have two or more children,” said Natasha. “It’s a wonderful way for families to have flexible and affordable childcare and for children to gain an international perspective. Our au pairs are vetted, insured, and young and eager to spend active time with kids.”
“It’s much more than employee-employer relationship,” added Natasha. “The girls become part of the family and the trust factor is very strong. We’ve had host families in the program for 17 years and they keep in close touch with their former au pairs, often attending weddings, baptisms and exchanging Christmas presents.”
Au Pair in America candidates all have documented childcare experience, are females between the ages of 18 and 26 and are recruited from around the globe for inter-cultural, live-in childcare. For further information about the program, visit blogs.aupairinamerica.com/abc/ or email .
For the past 28 years Dr. Thomas Lo, who owns and operates Advanced Chiropractic, has participated in the “Have-A-Heart” Campaign, which benefits very sick children at the Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center in Oklahoma. Through this week, Lo will accept a $75 donation to Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center in exchange for a nutrition exam valued at $210. Donations of $25 will also be accepted for allergy screenings normally priced at $75. Money raised through the campaign will benefit severely hurt children who need immediate chiropractic care but cannot afford the treatments they require. For more information, call 410-721-3338 or visit doctorlo.com.
At 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, the Crofton Town Club book club will discuss Erik Larsen’s “In the Garden of Beasts” at a member’s home. This is a fascinating nonfiction account of the American ambassador and his family in Nazi Germany before World War II. Newcomers are welcome to join the group and share in light refreshments and good discussion. If you plan to attend, please respond to for the event location at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
From 7 p.m. to midnight on March 10, the Parents Association of the X Squad Dancers will be hosting a bull roast at Glenn Dale Fire Company, 11900 Glenn Dale Blvd. Profits from the event will be used to fund the dancers’ trip to the Nationals in Branson, Mo. The evening’s menu will feature an array of carved meats, vegetables, desserts and appetizers as well as beer, wine and soft drinks. Tickets are $40 per person. For more information, please call 410-474-4995 or email .
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