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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can see here many host families who like to take advantage of people[/quote]

I think 'holidays off' is  a common cultural clash.  I blame the agencies for not explaining and teaching american culture more to aupairs before they arrive. No, working a federal holiday does not equate to being 'a slave'.  No, it's not a government edict that everyone in the US has bank holidays off and/or paid holidays in general.

If you are an aupair in a different country, you may need to fit into the culture and the work expectations of that country. Many people work holidays and therefore need childcare on those days. 99.9% of childcare centers and schools in Maryland are open an in-session on Veteran's Day (as an example).

Even if you love your children beyond measure and want to spend 100% of your waking free moments with them, you may still need childcare assistance on holidays. If you are serious about cultural exchange and experiencing the USA with a host family, it shouldn't be torture to spend part of your holidays with your host family. Spending an entire Memorial Day with other aupairs to the inclusion of any american customs passed eating burgers and having beer is not a cultural experience.

Host families will be better off to have the holidays they expect to give their aupairs off written before matching and have the paperwork agreed upon before arrival. There shouldn't be any surprises with this.

To the parent who works holidays, yeah you sound insecure about your schedule but I can only assume it's because aupairs in this forum can be relentless with the b.s. that host familes who can't spend all of a holiday or summer with their children somehow having sacrificed enough for them. That's just naievete. If we all had unlimited vacation and super flexible jobs, I would safely bet that all but 1% of the host families wouldn't need aupairs anyway.[/quote]

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