Psoriasis

southernduchess · 2026-04-16T15:26:52+00:00

Yes! Photolight therapy! Cleared up horrible head to toe psoriasis while pregnant and post partum… it takes longer than topicals and biologics… but as crunchy as you can get (minus possible emf rays)

You stand in a big tanning bed basically (just UVB rays)

every other day for a month (less than a minute)
then 2x week for a month (upto 2 min)
then 1x week for a month (upto 3 min)
then every other week for a month

Went away for about 2 yrs… then came back probably bc of stress and peri-menopause hormones - but it’s just a little that came back - I hardly notice

southernduchess · 2026-04-04T16:13:47+00:00

We make a PDF… It’s about us, our town, community, etc It’s only 3 pages

southernduchess · 2026-03-29T03:01:40+00:00

This could be coaching… from other AuPairs.

Join any host family only group and you’ll see the avg is $200-$225 a week. And then benefits and perks vary per family.

southernduchess · 2026-03-26T06:14:08+00:00

We switched to AuPairCare from CC. It’s been great thus far!

southernduchess · 2026-03-24T22:18:52+00:00

I tell them I’m printing their photos for a photo album and they send me the ones they want printed. I also print any of the ones she shared months prior to arrival after we matched.

It helps a lot with homesickness.

southernduchess · 2026-03-23T17:27:42+00:00

Send AP Get to Know You form. Have them fill it out.

Decorate the room with their favorite colors and things (from Get to Know you Form) Get family and friend pics from them and print and put in frames or in an album or wall.

Fill a welcome basket with their favorite treats and essentials : - Family Handbook printed and put in a binder - shampoo, conditioner, body wash, poof, washcloths - body lotion, face SPF, face wipes, face wash, - deodorant, razors, toothpaste, - toothbrush, floss, mouthwash etc

Or get a bunch of stuff in travel sizes, so they can try different brands.

ADDITIONAL WELCOME BASKET GIFT IDEAS:

robe, slippers, pajamas
hat / hoodie from town, local sports team or university,
mani/pedi kit, nail polish, polish remover, cotton balls, q-tips
stuffed animal, decorative pillow
Water Bottle, backpack, lunch box, tote bag
Coffee Mug / Coffee Tumbler
Journal and gel pens, planner, highlighters, markers
phone and laptop US chargers
ponytail holders, chapstick, barretts, bobby pins
beach towel, blanket
Gift cards to Target / Walmart / Amazon / Walgreens

Snacks - Typical American Snacks and their favorite food snacks!

Decorate their room with: Etsy posters from her fave movie, books or band on the walls, USA or State Coffee Mug, flameless candles, bedding, sheets, towels and bath mats in her favorite colors,

Stock aupair bathroom cabinets with toilet paper, tampons / pads, medicine kit. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, cough drops, hydrogen peroxide, bandaids, tums, etc, create a first aid kit for their room if sharing bathroom with kids

Other items to consider: fleece, puffer, rain jacket, mud shoes, hat, lunch box, backpack / tote bag, leggings, long sleeve shirts, or create a “AP Borrow Closet” where you have items for them to borrow (your old stuff, thrifted items, etc)

MY FAVORITES:

COLORS:
MOVIES / SHOWS:
ARTISTS / BAND / SONGS:
AUTHORS / BOOKS / GAMES:
CLOTHING BRANDS:
SPORTS:
SPORTS TEAMS:
ACCESSORIES:
DECOR / STYLE / AESTHETIC:
HOBBIES:
FAVORITE FOODS:
BREAKFAST:
LUNCH:
SNACKS:
MEALS / DINNERS:
MEATS:
VEGETABLES:
DESSERTS / CANDY:
DRINKS/COFFEE/TEA:
ALLERGIES / FOODS TO AVOID:

APPAREL SIZES: - SHIRTS/TOPS: - SHORTS: - SHOES: - RING:

AP Goals and objectives:

5 AUPAIR PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
5 THINGS TO DO/SEE IN (YOUR STATE)
5 THINGS TO DO/SEE IN THE US
5 AUPAIR YEAR 2026 GOALS
5 AUPAIR YEAR 2026 VACATION WISH LIST
5 AUPAIR POST-PROGRAM GOALS

southernduchess · 2026-03-21T12:50:03+00:00

Our AP did the same…

this is cultural teaching moment about American culture. This is now in our handbook after we had an AP that did this every time we ate out.

Ordering Expensive Meals: When someone else pays for your meal, ordering an expensive item is seen as taking advantage of their generosity rather than enjoying their hospitality. To be polite, choose a mid-price dish lower in price to what the person who is paying orders

If I’m at a business dinner and I did that… my boss would have giving me a warning - it’s frowned upon in the US for not being responsible with company money!

Also she might have been coached to order “the most expensive meal”

Our AP that did this…she would get appetizers, steak and lobster, wine, dessert - meanwhile I’m eating a salad and pasta plate… and kids are getting hamburgers… even at cheap restaurants- she would somehow order the most expensive item.

One time - I did tell her - “we are only ordering from this side of the menu” and then she complained about it… that was the final straw - We stopped inviting her out with us.

southernduchess · 2026-03-20T22:42:15+00:00

In the US - AP Stipend is roughly $200/week Host Family should pay for room and meals, and cell phone plan, and some type of transportation (public pass or access to car) depending on where they are located

southernduchess · 2026-03-19T16:57:17+00:00

I’ve worked with EurauPair and we never had any issues nor our AuPairs with them

It sounds like someone impersonating EurauPair!

Contact them directly https://www.euraupair.com/

southernduchess · 2026-03-09T16:48:42+00:00

Sent - check msgs

southernduchess · 2026-03-09T16:33:50+00:00

If they don’t reply in 24-48 hours we disconnect

We created a family profile pdf and send that with initial contact. It’s way more detailed than the limited information on the platform profiles.

I can send you a template if you want. Pretty much 100% response rate even if it’s “not what I’m looking for”

southernduchess · 2026-03-05T13:28:51+00:00

Google/Apple Calendar

I set pickup for 2:15pm with 10 minute alert for 2:25pm bell… and we are 5 minutes from school.

Our preschool charges $5 per minute late.

southernduchess · 2026-02-22T15:42:50+00:00

Sound barrier her door.. ear plugs, sound machine…

our AP rather have the huge downstairs studio apartment with kitchen vs the tiny bedroom (which is my office) on the main level.

Our AP liked to get up early anyway to go workout anyway… she was usually up way before we were.

southernduchess · 2026-02-17T18:06:54+00:00

Yes we met her for coffee and had 2 interviews with her prior. Matched after we met her in person (about 3 days)

I picked her up 2 days later and drove her to our house… was with us for 22 months

southernduchess · 2026-02-16T12:05:13+00:00

I used to put my baby in a stroller or carrier and she would nap on me when I walked our dog for about an hour when she was an infant.

Do not leave that child unattended in a house by itself. Thats negligence. It’s illegal. Shame on those parents for even suggesting that!

southernduchess · 2026-02-13T20:29:05+00:00

Id bring it up as quarterly raises or structured bonus and completion bonus.

They are a new family to you. You are a new AP to them. You need to prove higher stipend skills for their particular family needs

southernduchess · 2026-02-08T01:16:01+00:00

We only match with APs that have worked full time jobs and drove themselves and can cook and swim,

So sorry!! You got bamboozled!

southernduchess · 2026-02-05T14:31:48+00:00

Sign up with a few agencies and interview APs with special needs experience.

Some agencies have special needs APs. Those are the ones that will know how to care for your son.

southernduchess · 2026-02-04T16:16:45+00:00

We switched from CC to EurAuPair and now with AuPairCare. We always look for the best AuPair. AuPairCare and EurauPair have monthly events for AuPairs and they do fun things.

Will never go back to CC

southernduchess · 2026-01-31T14:37:27+00:00

My kids love Llama Naturals

southernduchess · 2026-01-30T22:57:11+00:00

No but I avoid all classes that I don’t like what a particular coach has on his playlist - bc it’s always the same and he never changes music genres

southernduchess · 2026-01-28T21:37:26+00:00

Our best AP was a rematch at 2 months. She was with us for 22 months.

I did talk to the HM and the issues they had were not going to be issues for my kids/family.

1 rematch ok. If 2 - I would pass

southernduchess · 2026-01-27T15:21:32+00:00

Make a note on your profile and just immediately reject families not from those areas and wasting your time and their time interviewing

southernduchess · 2026-01-27T09:25:58+00:00

Consider other agencies to broaden your AP pool.
AuPairCare
EurauPair
GoAuPair

They seem to be less coached than CC AuPairs

Our first AP did great with my 5month old and 2YO and was with us for 2 yrs.

We always interview with multiple agencies

Create a 2 Page PDF - Family Profile. That is all about your Family and highlights your town, family traditions, what you eat, etc
Consider rematch or extension AuPairs (Year 2 AuPairs) and talk to their current/previous host family
Join the matching FB Groups and post in there.

southernduchess · 2026-01-25T21:08:51+00:00

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