Showing your culture for your host family...

Today in Sweden we are celebrating a holiday called “Valborgsmässoafton,” which is celebrated every year on last day of April. So the question is, how can you introduce this celebration to your host families and host children? In Sweden we light bonfires, but we DO NOT recommend that while working with children J  Instead maybe tell them why we celebrate!  And be creative, draw a picture of the fire!

Besides this, today is also the Kings birthday. A perfect time to tell the children that we have kings, queens, princes and princesses here in Scandinavia. Why not dress up, take a twirl and play with knights and dragons!

 

Remember, any holiday from your home country is a great opportunity to share your culture with your host family. The entire au pair experience is based on cultural exchange and you need to consider yourself an ambassador to your home country. The internet is full of kid-friendly activities for each holiday and ways to make even the littlest child have the best time!

Take the opportunity to go outside!

The spring sun is melting away the last signs of winter and all around town you can see people closing their eyes and looking up toward the warmth to soak it in. The sunlight does so much for us, including lifting our moods, so I would like to share some of the activities I used to do with my host children when spring rolled around in California. I had 4 wonderful children ranging in age from 6 to 12. They were a whole lot of fun, but that also came with a load of energy that I preferred to have drained outside of the house. 

 By bringing a few things to the closest park I would create an obstacle course. You can bring a lot more than these things but here are some of my favorites:

• Jump rope 
• Soccer ball 
• A stop watch (cell phone works, too) 
• A stick 
• Water bottles (it gets hot!) 
• And of course a snack or treat for the children when done.

The obstacle course could take any shape or form depending on how many children are participating, but I usually placed some rocks or sticks out to serve as “cones." You would then have one station where they could run zigzag and another one where they could run backwards or do a crabwalk. Children love to do “animal” imitations. 

Let your and your children’s imaginations run wild! They also like to be in charge of different stations.

The jump rope could be used in many ways, such as a balance line. The soccer ball is a great addition for passing around by throwing or kicking.

Just 30 minutes to an hour with these activities and you will have tired children and happy host parents.

Start the clock today and let the best time win!

I think spring is finally here!

Hi there!

It can’t be just me who every year gets tricked by spring. As soon as the first rays from the sun find its way to Stockholm I change my winter jacket to my light spring coat and try to find the first place that sells soft ice-cream. However, a few days later winter always reminds you that spring is not really here. It happened just the other week here in Stockholm – first it was warm, sunny and nice, and then the snow came again. But now, I think it’s officially time for spring, and that’s because me and my co-workers had our first lunch outside! I think that truly is the sign that spring really is here. Because when you can sit outside, enjoying the sun and a nice meal and know that it will probably only get warmer and warmer, that is one of the best feelings I think.

Do you have any signs of that spring has officially arrived to where you live? Regardless it is in your hometown or where you’re currently an au pair, I would love to know! Please share your spring feelings with us on our Facebook-page for example!

Have a great weekend and I hope you’ll enjoy the sun! Best regards, Madeleine