IT IS SUMMER TIME!

I don't think there are quite many who disagree with me - summer is absolutely the best! Nature is alive, it is green, sun is shining, people feel happier (and actually friendlier), nights are brighter, you can spend so much more time outside, ice cream tastes better (and there is always new tastes), there is so much more to do - and oh so many more things! I think it is quite clear that I absolutely love summer and could not be happier now that it is around!

For many au pairs, summertime means also that your host kids no longer are at school during the daytime, so this might also mean that you will be working more during the daytime - I know it might sound discouraging and something you are not looking forward to, but do not worry - we're here to give few tips. These proved to be successful during my time as an au pair! Please make sure to double-check always with your host parents that they are okay with these activities! 

- Pool (as long as your host kids can swim and you feel like you can be responsible for all of the children at once). I am sure most of the children love swimming, and this is a great way to cool off on a sunny day!
- Picnic in a park. Pack some water and snacks, and remember to stay in shade! Any au pairs in the area who have kids in the same age? Invite them and make it a play date!
- Outdoor games. We all have games that we have played outdoors back at home - how about some mölkky or kubb for example? A great way to once again - share your culture, that's what the program is all about! 
- Library. Sometimes it is nice to escape the sun and warmth and have a story-moment at the library! Gather some favorite books and cuddle up in the corner. Many libraries often also organize different story time activities. Maybe you can find the book that you loved as a child and can share it with your host children?
- Museums. Find out about different museums in the area - I am sure there is a good selection and you can definitely find something that is both of interest for you and your host kids!
- Road trip. If you have a car you can use during your work time, why not try to explore what is around you and take a tiny road-trip with your children? Find some of your favorite music, blast it out and sing along and see what your neighborhood has to offer! 
- Water battle. Is it hot? Is it sunny? Bring out some water guns, water balloons, you name it and cool off on a hot day! 
- Bring indoors outdoors. Who says you cannot play board games or read books outside? Exactly, no one! Bring indoors outdoors and enjoy summer weather!

Remember, use sunscreen and drink lots of water and stay in shade! Happy summer days!

Best,
Mari

My hardest time as an au pair gave me the greatest time as an au pair!

During my time as an au pair, I faced some rocky times too, and I am going to share the story that turned my entire time in the USA upside down - the good kind upside down!

I was in my room with my suitcase packed, tears running down my cheeks. I had just spoken with my sister back home in Sweden. It's only two years between us but for some reason I felt like she was about ten years older with her knowledge and determination. We had just hung up the phone and the ticket home would have been only few clicks away. At that time I had spent about 6 months in the USA and this family was not working out at all for several reasons.

We had tried talking and I had been in great contact with Cultural Care Au Pair's office in Boston and maybe been a bit too blue-eyed and optimistic about my rematch. Unfortunately things do not always work out - I believe that me and the family were more like oil and water rather than a good match -- we had very different lifestyles, believes and hopes for the au pair year.

As I was sitting there on the floor and looking at all the stuff that once seemed so important to bring over I realized I would do anything, give it all away in order to be happy and stay in the USA.  I had a dream of completing my au pair year, I had a strong feeling that the time (faith if so) had bigger plans for me and going home to my hometown was not an option.

I cried a lot during this day and decided to call my contact person at Cultural Care Au Pair to say that I obviously sucked at this job and wanted to go home.

Her voice was soft and she calmed me down and the sobbing turned to single tears. We talked about my year so far, she made me think of my year from another perspective, what could/should I have done and she made me own the mistakes I had done. This was most likely the most difficult conversation I had ever had, but at the same time it was probably the call that made me to the person I am today and the reason I stayed in the States in the end. The woman on the phone finally said, "I have one more family I would like you to speak to." I remember thinking that she was crazy and that it was a waste of time. I was not good at caring for children - or that was what I at least felt like at the moment!

The call with the family, the host mom come to change my life in so many ways.
We spoke for what felt like a lifetime, about my previous experience in the program, shared interests, the children and what they were looking for.
My mentality was "I will tell her all about me, about what went wrong and she will quickly realize that I suck at this job".

When the call came to an end, she said "Can I pick you up on Wednesday?" The feeling that came along was indescribable, happiness like the prince on a white horse had just arrived (now in the shape of a blue suburban car and mom of four was the only difference!) Karen took me home and I got to meet my four new host children that was very excited to be with me. The feeling of being loved and cared for was the best feeling since I left Sweden! Pulling into the driveway in Sacramento and I knew I was finally home!

I ended up extending my time with this family and gained so much confidence that I CAN DO it and I AM a great au pair! Today I pay it forward and love to help current au pairs to reach their dreams or fulfill their dreams to be in the USA as an au pair!

New York City - my absolute favorite

Every au pair who travels with Cultural Care Au Pair as an au pair to the USA gets the opportunity to experience New York City during their first week in the USA! I know that it is just a short glimpse of the city and that you only get to see the very important sights, and it will definitely leave you hungry for more! I would absolutely recommend all of you au pairs, come back. Come back and experience more of it - there are few places that are as awesome as New York City.

I got the opportunity to work at our training school on Long Island few years ago and one of my favorite parts of the job were definitely spending Thursdays in the city while the au pairs were getting to know the city as well! This gave me an opportunity to explore the city from North to South, from East to West, to see most of the tourist attractions, but also experience the city as any Manhattan native would!

I could go on and write about my favorite spots and my favorite things to do in New York for ages, but I try to keep this short and sweet and as general as possible!

- Central Park. Let me warn you - it is humongous! Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, stroll around (there's a lot to see, make sure to take a look at the map so that you will not just aimlessly wander around - although, nothing wrong with that either). Make sure to eat your lunch picnic-style in the park!

- Highline Park. I guess I just have a thing for parks - Highline Park is built on old old railroad and you get an awesome view of the city! It is definitively something unique and absolutely worth the visit!

- Brooklyn Promenade. Get on the Brooklyn side, get some great ice cream, walk the promenade -- best part of doing it, you get to see the entire Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn side.

- American Museum of Natural History. So much to see, so much to learn - fun with your friends or your host kids too if you live in the area!

- The Village. One of my favorite areas on Manhattan. Cool shops, cool people, cool cafes - definitely worth to explore in depth... too many things to tip about!

I could go on forever, there are so many things to see and do - I would definitely recommend to see all the touristy things - once again, these things are things you've seen on TV, in the movies, read about them, so you definitely need to experience all of them! Make also sure to get to visit the not so touristy places in the city... there are plenty of them! Stay tuned for more tips!

The view of Central Park from the Top of the Rock.

Times Square.

My new hobby

It recently turned out my co-worker Mari and I had made the same New  Year’s resolution this year. We both made a promise to ourselves to invest some more time in a hobby. Something you do only to get energized. Some me-time.

So, we decided to join a choir. Once a week we go straight from the office to our choir practice. I have always enjoyed singing, and it’s a pop/gospel choir, so the music is fun and mostly upbeat and gets you in a good mood.

Being an au pair means living at work, so finding things outside of work that gets you energized is more important than you would think. I encourage you all to find something to do outside of work. Some me-time outside of the au pair job.

Here are a few suggestions:

Take a dance class at your local gym or dance school

Scrapbooking

Try a new sport

Volunteer (pets, children, elderly people – there are lots of different places you could volunteer)

Learn a new language

Learn to play chess/bridge/other board or card games

Design and sew clothes

Join an amateur theatre group

Buy a guitar and learn to play it

Write a novel

Start an amateur podcast with your friends

Learn floral arrangements

Learn nail art

Take a self-defense class

Start making your own make-up

If you have any other suggestions, please comment on Facebook.

Cheers,

Victoria