Time to think

Updated Program Rules: HF Eligibility

Through recent communication with the U.S. Department of State, we have received clarification that both host parents must be U.S. citizens or green card holders in order to host an au pair in their home. Some families may apply to the program and one of the two parents may be in the process of becoming a citizen or obtaining their green card, but unless both parents are citizens or they have their green card in hand, they cannot become a host family on the program. In the case of a single parent home, that parent must be a U.S. citizen or have their green card.

This rule clarification will apply to any families looking to repeat the program or any new families looking to join the program. The online host family application has been updated to require this information and families will be unable to submit a new or repeat application should they not meet this eligibility requirement moving forward. All Cultural Care forms, applications, and materials have also been updated accordingly.

Craigs List Ad from NYC...

Live in Nanny Needed for 4 kids (Pls don't call them "Precious Ones") (Upper East Side)
Reply to: (hidden)
Date: 2008-08-19, 9:04PM EDT

My kids are a pain in the a**. Just in the past hour, i have had to tell each one to do something more than once. oldest: can i have soda? it's just a sprite? please? can i? no, no and no.the next one...don't even get me started. seriously.the twin six year olds: one wanted dessert before her dinner was over, one kept wanting to know why I wouldn't let nine year olds swing her around by her limbs. (the fear of a dislocated shoulder did nothing.)Please help me.I can be a tad difficult to work for. I'm loud, pushy and while I used to think we paid well, i am no longer sure. i work from home, so you get the pleasure of being hounded by me all day long. and, you get to pretend to like me, because i am deeply sensative. (but well dressed and a know it all, a winning combination I assure you.)If you cannot multi task, or communicate without being passive aggressive, don't even bother replying.If you are the type who doesn't notice crumbs on the table, skip to the next post, because crumbs are a deal breaker. they put me over the edge.i have all sorts of theories on how to stack my dishwasher, and if you are judgemental about ritalin for adhd, or think such things are caused by too much sugar, again, deal break city.You do get a separate entrance excellent studio on the ues. you do get air conditioner and internet connection and cable. even hbo. and showtime. you can bring your spouse, roommate or partner, but sorry no kids. If you ask, can i bring my kid, the answer will be...anyone? anyone? No.If you can cook, all the better. otherwise, i'll teach you all sorts of things about pasta. (Here's a freebie, butter and parmesean, mmmmmm)If you know anything about chess and violin i will be impressed.We are not snobs, which is good. but then again, my kid sometimes swears to make a point. (We're working on it, but halfheartedly, because, well the apple doesn't fall far from the f***ing tree.)Although I am told they are all very bright, they have not mastered the use of the oh so complicated napkin. This is a napkin Junior, say it after me...Nap Kin. Good boy.i am not looking for Super nanny, or anyone who wants this job because they will love my kids as if they are their own. you won't. really. they are infinitely lovable, but trust me, they're mine and you will move on when your journey with us is over, and save for some funny stories and a delightful email every now and again, you won't grieve. Nor will we. (okay, we did all grieve a few of our past sitters, oddly they were all named Sarah or Kate, or Nikki. And Leah. Leah was delightful, even if she did drop my twin babies off our couch during a family gathering. Good times.I don't want someone who has a lot of theories on the right way to raise kids, because in the end, I'm just a woman doing my best. I'm willing to learn from you, or anyone, but not so much about how i should parent my spawn. teach me to knit. introduce me to yoga, the white stripes, russian literature or the best place to get a burger in the village at 2Am, but do not tell me to put star stickers on a good boy chart. stickers irritate me.If you are fundamentally unhappy with your life, you will be more unhappy if you take this job, so do us all a favor and get some treatment or move to the Rockies, but do not apply for employment with us. Also, if you suspect all wealthy women are frivilous, we are not for you. I do not want to hide my occasional bergdorf shopping bag.If you smoke, please quit. don't apply either, but please quit. i have known too many people diagnosed with cancer this year. Even if you are a judgemental nanny 911 wannabe, no one should have to endure some of the things I have wittnessed.You gotta be able to drive with a valid license, but if you've ever hit a human,move to the next post. You won't have to drive in the city, but if we go to our weekend place together, or if you make it to the summer and still work for us, we need you to run into town to get some pink milk, so be able to drive a mini van.Can you swim? Swimming is good.If you do drugs or drink enough so that you are grumpy in the morning and grumpier at night prior to that next cocktail, call AA, and peruse craigslist childcare positions when you have a year sober. I'll probably be looking again, and now is the time for you to focus on yourself anyway.I need a team player. I need someone to back me up when it comes to remembering when the library books are due, and whether i have rsvped to that birthday party yet.Help me dear G-d keep track of our skim milk supply and also, also, also, what should I make for dinner tomorrow night?

the hours are 7 in the morning to 8:30 in the morning. We'd be in it together, getting the kids out with clean faces, brushed teeth and some food in their bellies. Doesn't that sound easy? Doesn't that sound doable?Then come on back for a fun filled afternoon 2:15-8:15 of activities and playdates and snacks and dinners and homework and riveting conversations about global warming, hannah montana and guitar hero.When you do get to go home (to that swanky studio and possibly a significant other or buddy) your time off will be respected. If I would like you to give extra hours, i'll ask. if you say yes, you get paid 15/ hour. if you say no, I will not fire you or hate you. Except if it is a school holiday or if i have a sick kid, then i might ask, and unless you have a final exam worth 2/3 of your grade or tix The Lion King, you may need to help out.Okay, if you're still reading this ad, it means:a) i am a halfway decent writer and maybe i really will get that book deal i'm yearning forb) you need a job desparatelyc) you think this just might be destiny, and that you could be one of the few, the proud, the potential babysitter of our dreams.D) you want all the information about job requirements, so that you can write me emails about how I should stay home with my kids otherwise they are going to grow up to be sociopaths. (If my pen pal is out there, wassup? Found love yet? No? How 'bout that.)best of luck to all of you in your search for a job. Seriously. Job searching sucks. No two ways about it.RLS

Doctor recommendation

Well, I tried the instructions below and it doesn't work quite like it's laid out. Just fill out the general search area with the info listed below and hit search - it's actually more straight-forward than they tell you.

But good news. I searched, and a great doc is on the plan. Here is the information:

Teresa Girolami, MD
Address:Bel Red Internal Medicine
2677 151st Place Northeast
Redmond, WA 98052-5563
(425) 558-3800

She is great and you can almost always get in the same day if you are sick and within 1-2 days if you are not sick. (I have not been paid for this endorsement...)

Overview of Erika Insurance

Okay. So CCAP has a partnership with Aetna, and that is who our insurance is through. The best doctors for you to see are ones who take Aetna insurance. To find doctors in your area, to go: http://www.aetna.com/docfind

Once you get there, do this:

1. Go to the "Not Yet enrolled in an Aetna Plan"
2. click on DocFind
3. Select search by zip code and enter state
4. Select a type of provider by chosing "People and Places" and select either primary doctor, specialist, or hosptial
5. Select a Plan type - under "Aetna Standard Plan" select "Open Choice PPO"
6. Select "Search Criteria" and click on "view search results now" and then click "continue"

They make it so easy.

Of course, this is an American health plan (for refernce, watch the documentary Sicko...) so there are exclusions to the plan:

• Routine check-ups, physicals, or immunizaitons
• Pre-existing conditions
• Risky sports (anything my old AP tried, apparently....)
• Alcohol and narcotics
• Injuries sustained in a criminal act (although, that will be the least of the worries is not having insurance coverage if you are caught robbing a bank...)

And there are also some limitations, which actually aren't all that bad compared to most plans:

• Mental health disorders ($1000 max)
• Non-accidental dental treatments ($200 max, only with those who have extended insurance)

Claim Forms were in your welcome packet that your host family has. They are also on your intranet that you have access to. If you need to be reimbursed for something, the claim form must be filled out and sent to Chickering. In addition, the AP must send all receipts, itemized bills, police reports (if they exist) and any other relevant information. If you have questions regarding your policy or a claim, call Chickering at 800-783-7447.

Soccer Clubs in Seattle and Eastside

• Greater Seattle Soccer League - http://www.gssl.org/new_players.htm


• Co-Rec Soccer Association - http://www.co-recsoccer.com/


• Washington State Women's Soccer Association - http://www.wswsa.org/


• ** Arena Sports Adult Soccer - http://www.arenasports.net/adult-soccer


• ** City of Redmond Adult Sports Leagues (inc. soccer) - http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/insidecityhall/parksrec/recreation/sportsleagues2.asp


• My Parks and Recreation - http://www.myparksandrecreation.com/ - for all eastside cities - I think they have soccer as well


• ** Bellevue Community College - http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/athletics/womenssoccer/

August AP Meeting

The monthly meeting will be at my home on Sunday, 8/17 at 1p. Check your email for the address and directions!