Requirements to Become an Au Pair It is often said that children are the future. It is therefore so vital that they are looked after, cared for, and nurtured to become the best versions of themselves that they can be. As parents, life demands a lot from us and, as much as we would love to, we do have to recognise the fact that we should sometimes ask for help to get it all done. This is where au pairs come in. Au pairs are special individuals who become part of happy families to share the tasks and responsibilities specifically around raising children.   It’s All About the Children As an au pa ..read more

As we are all aware, COVID-19 is creating many new challenges for us as a society and for our economy. And, as of today, schools across South Africa have been given the go-ahead to close their doors to help curtail the spread of the virus.   But, while this may answer one question – how do we protect our kids and keep them healthy? – it also gives us parents an entirely new one: how do we make sure they’re still getting their education? How can we balance safety and knowledge when, in many cases, closing schools means that kids are left to their own devices?   Temporary social distancing makes ..read more

How to Help Your Family Shine This Year   Once again, we find ourselves fast approaching the end of the first quarter of the year. No matter how well we plan, time always seems to slip by faster than we expect. After a challenging 2019, many of us have pinned high hopes to 2020 and plan to make this year a great one for us and our families. The thing is – as often happens with the best intentions – we get sidetracked. As much as you plan, things don’t always go to plan. Life is full of curveballs and challenges. Added to this is the immense pressures of modern life, complicated further by tryi ..read more

Mapping Out the School Year with Your Au Pair   It is another new year, and another chance to achieve your goals. It is also a time for planning to make sure you and your family are on track and ready to take on every challenge that the new year brings. While there are many admin tasks to complete and projects to plan, one of the great ways to set your children – and yourself – up for success, is by mapping out the coming school year with your au pair. It might take a little while to create this overview, and you and your au pair might have to come back to it to review and add anything that yo ..read more

How to Protect My Child from the Internet   The Internet is a wonderful source of information and activities to help entertain and educate our children. At the same time, it can also be a scary place with many dangers lurking when we are not watching. With so many devices readily connected to the web, and with kids being so adept at operating these devices from a very young age, it is vital to help them understand and recognise the potential dangers out there, much like teaching them about crossing the road safely. As a parent, it is also important to take a few precautionary steps to help pro ..read more

3 Tips for Choosing an Au Pair for the School Holidays   Once again, school holidays are approaching fast. Where has the time gone? And where are the days when we were lucky enough to have four holidays a year? The reality for most adults is that we have to be at the office as we work on our careers and ability to care for our families. But what about the children? Who will look after them while you have to be at the office? You cannot expect gran to look after them the entire holiday, and it feels cruel to leave them on their own at the day care the entire time.   The better option, of course ..read more

7 Tips to Keep Children Safe from Predators   It is probably every parent’s greatest fear: that our children will be abducted or be harmed by a nefarious predator. The mere thought of it is enough to send chills down one’s spine and to turn one into a dreaded helicopter parent. But apart from the fact that this is not a healthy way of raising a child, it certainly is also not practical.   There is simply no way that you can always be with your child without taking your eyes off them for a second. A much healthier approach is to educate and empower your child. Make them aware of the dangers wit ..read more

5 Reasons Why You Should Encourage Kids to Play Outside Now That It Is Spring   It is that time of year again – the mornings are getting lighter, the temperatures are starting to climb, and everything seems fresh, beautiful, and full of life. Gone are the days of snuggling up on the couch and pulling that duvet tighter around you. The days are beautiful, and the outdoors are calling. If you have children, now is the time to encourage them to play outside. Not only for your sanity, but also for their benefit. Here are five of the top reasons why it is great for kids to play outside:   It Provi ..read more

Why Do You Need an Au Pair? Let us face it – the world moves at breakneck speed, and at times, it can be tough to keep up. Between focusing on a career, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and having some semblance of a social life, there is hardly time to run a household. Add children to the mix and… well, all plans jump out of the window. Ironically, South African parents also feel guilty about asking for help. However, an au pair could be just what you need to actually ensure that you have a healthy, balanced life, and that you give your children the absolute best they deserve. If you can rela ..read more

What Can – and Should – I Expect of My Babysitter? Different families – and certainly different children – have very different needs. While there are basic tasks you can realistically expect of your babysitter, it is always advised to carefully go through all expectations and house rules to ensure that everyone is on the same page.   Things You Can Expect of Your Babysitter You and your babysitter need to have an open, honest conversation and agree upon the responsibilities that are required of them. These can include, but are not limited to: Changing diapers and preparing bottles for younger ..read more