We are a family of five, including Dad, Mom, Drew7 (1/2 year old son}, Tina (5 1/2 year old daughter) and Tommy (2 ½ year old son).
Dad works in finance, Mom in education/community affairs. Both parents are active in the local community, giving of their time and energies. Dad works long hours, but when he’s not working his activity of choice is spending time with the kids. Mom has spent much time with the kids, valuing fun educative play, under a philosophy of parenting that could be described as ”use your minds and mind your manners”.
Core family values include the importance of family time, honesty, good work ethics, politeness and consideration for others. Whether an afternoon is spent outdoors on a backyard adventure or indoors at the craft table, creativity prevails. Another VERY valued activity is read aloud time. The kids love it!
Drew, Tina and Tommy are enthusiastic, genuine, outgoing and imaginative kids. They enjoy reading, writing, and creative time. Their routine is well defined, as good structure is helpful to children.
A bus takes the older two to and from school Monday-Friday. After school activities they need to be driven, and these include various sports programs and occasional play dates (not overscheduled). Late afternoon routine includes dinner prep. and homework (independence is encouraged, only slight surveillance necessary). They all covet outdoor play, and we as parents support and encourage this. End of day routine is dinner, bath & pajamas.
Dad’s family had international exchange students in his home growing up. Mom has been an international exchange student in home stay programs in France and Greece and she professionally co-coordinated exchange of US/Greek faculty, staff and students. Children have been to Canada, Ireland and France. We are very open to learning about different cultures and customs, and consider a program like au pair in America to be a two-way education.
Four bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath traditional home with bedrooms upstairs (private au pair suite downstairs). Large backyard for children’s activities. Au Pair’s space is a separate room (400 sq. feet) downstairs with separate entrance.
Household rules we’d expect an au pair to follow include, (a) respect for all individuals, (b) no smoking, (c) respect for ”way”, ”method” of parent’s parenting (i.e. we are a minimal television watching household, with the children usually only watching on occasion in the evening after bath/pajamas), no au pair overnight guests.