No Kids Allowed!

As parents,  we have all at some point experienced a feeling,  look or even a comment that is negative from someone while out in public with our children.  Whether it be a sideways glance while in a restaurant when your child is not using his ‘indoor voice’,  or a tut,  shake of the head, or as I just last week experienced,  fingers in the ears,  when your baby is crying on a plane.  Oy  was I sweating and trying desperately to avoid the eyes boring into the side of my head!

Now don’t get me wrong,  I totally get the need for spaces and places free from children,  I was an adult (not parent) once too!  However,  having made that one way journey into Motherhood,  I now understand that it is even  more unbearable being the owner of said ‘misbehaving’ child,  suffering those dreaded stares  that in their own way scream,  “Will you just shut your kid up!” (and harsher thoughts besides).  As all parents know,  BK (Before Kids),  we were those eye rollers ,  but  AK (After Kids),  we now empathize with the likes of me on that plane to Seattle last week.

With this sweaty experience still in mind,  I have re- examined how much our society really likes children, or doesn’t, as the case may be.  Growing up in England I often heard from elders that  ‘children should be seen and not heard’  and I think this sentiment still rings true today.  People like to see cute little kids  – from afar.  But no one wants to sit next to one in a public place as they fidget and whine.   It seems like there are more and more kid-free zones like vacations,  hotels,  even planes.  Just last year Malaysia Airlines placed a ban on babies in First Class,  and recently  a family was thrown off a Jet Blue flight when their 2 year old had a tantrum.  This Youtube video about kids as cargo amusingly captures in a half- joke,  half-not manner this prevailing sentiment towards kids. 

On a personal note,  I would like to publically apologize to the folks on flight 521 from LAX to Seattle for the noise pollution my daughter May recently caused.

Posted by Claire Turner

Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, nanny, childcare, babysitter, sitter, live-in, au pair, provider, AuPairCare, nannies, children, child, kids, multiples, twins, triplets

Have your Children and Au Pair Go Outside in Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, & Williamsburg

When my son Liam was three, one day we were in the car running errands, and he asked me, "Mommy, are we in a hurry?" I paused, because we were just sitting in traffic while he stared out the window.

When I said, no, he said, "Oh good. It's much nicer that way." I was relieved, but a little concerned that my toddler already felt rushed. For a little boy who liked to spend his afternoons quietly collecting snails, the chaos of preschool, daycare, and having two siblings was a lot for him to deal with... me too, I realized. We all needed more time to play.

More and more research suggests that play is crucial in the cognitive, physiological, behavioral, and social development and adaptation at all stages of life. Moms aren't immune, either. When was the last time you had a chance to really play? Not a class, not managing your kids' activities, but play outside -- goofing around, tossing a ball, tag, kickball, or sledding with your family or friends?

Health advocate Dr. Carol Torgan says that we all need to take play more seriously. It's so important, that even the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes play as a right of every child. Free play time is linked to creativity, improved behavior, collaboration, and even academic performance. You can learn to count doing hopscotch, teamwork playing four square, and patterns with puzzles. And it's fun!

The American Academy of Pediatrics released an article on The Importance of Play. You can also find the Top 100 Play Resources on Dr. Torgan's website. It's kind of ironic that what we all did so naturally as children, we have to re-learn as adults.

For my family, carving out that time to play meant me changing my job -- quitting my corporate position, launching a contracting business, hiring an au pair, and chilling out. It's not perfect, and I still have to remind myself that hurrying isn't always necessary. But it's better, significantly better. And everyone gets out to play a little more often.

Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, nanny, childcare, babysitter, sitter, live-in, au pair, provider, AuPairCare, nannies, children, child, kids, multiples, twins, triplets

BEST Au Pair Agencies Newly Announced for 2012 in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, & Williamsburg

BEST Au Pair Agencies
Newly Announced for 2012!

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#1 – Au Pair Care 

Au Pair Care moves up to the Number One spot this year from their second place in 2011.

Last year, 68% of host parents rated this popular agency's Customer Service as "Very Good - Excellent."  This year, that number went up to 83%!  

Au Pair Care consistently recruits quality au pairs, hires competent counselors and their agency fees are comparable to other agencies.
To find out more about this industry leader, read our exclusive interview with Heidi Woehl, Vice President of Au Pair Care.  

Sample Comments from 2012 Host Family Survey Respondents:

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"With Au Pair Care, the area directors and staff are very professional and provide excellent customer service."

"We are so happy with our agency Au Pair Care.  They are supportive, professional and caring.  It’s not about just getting our money.  That is how it was with our previous au pair agency."

"Excellent Service!"

"We have actually recommended Au Pair Care and they paid us $400."

"I experienced 2 rematches within 6 months, the first because au pair was too homesick, the second due to a personality mismatch.  I sought advice from the matching expert and it made all the difference.  We wound up matching with an au pair who she recommended and our au pair has worked out wonderfully."

"Au Pair Care has superior customer service compared to some other agencies. They are willing to do a refund if things did not work out with our au pair."

"We couldn’t be happier with each and every step with Au Pair Care.  They were attentive and helpful with any questions or problems I had.  The whole process went smoothly and we have an au pair that we absolutely adore.  She is perfect!"

Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, nanny, childcare, babysitter, sitter, live-in, au pair, provider, AuPairCare, nannies, children, child, kids, multiples, twins, triplets