Today, in some parts of Germany, carnivals are taking place in honor of Fasching, a holiday in advance of Lent. Also known as Fastnacht or Karneval, this holiday has much in common with Mardis Gras in New Orleans, but is much less well know globally. There are parades, costumes, pranks, eating and drinking, elaborate balls, and a generally festive atmosphere. [...] Read More »

In a little less than a month, the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 will take place in Austria, in host cities Graz, Schladming, Ramsau, and Styria. The Special Olympics, in partnership with GoFundMe, is profiling stories of athletes and encouraging the public to help individuals and teams raise the funds necessary for participation. [...] Read More »

Inclement weather during the winter months can make for bored, whiny and stir-crazy kids – so prepare yourself and your professional au pair with an assortment of creative ideas that can be done without leaving the house! [...] Read More »

Next month, IAPA, the International Au Pair Association, will announce the winner of the 2017 Au Pair of the Year contest. Last year, Robert Isemer, a professional au pair and teacher with PROaupair, won the national competition. Now, back in Germany, Isemer, age 28, works as a social counselor at a refugee camp run by the German Red Cross. We spoke with him recently to learn more about his job, his life in Germany, and his thoughts on the U.S. Department of State’s J1 au pair program. [...] Read More »

How much of who we become is determined by science – by the unique genes that make up our particular DNA? And, how much is determined by our environment – the family, social circumstances and culture in which we are raised? This nature vs. nurture battles has been going on for centuries. The most recent incarnation focuses on gender-neutral parenting, the idea of raising a child in a non-gender-specific way. [...] Read More »