Since the day she came to our house from Ecuador, Belen has been a ray of light and positivity. She is a beautiful person both inside and out, always smiling and laughing. At the same time, she has a refreshing humility that I see missing in today’s younger generation. She was extremely humble when she first came and saw how busy and hectic both my husband’s and my life were with demanding jobs requiring travel. She told us that she is going to view us as her parents and do anything she can to help us. So she would always do extra things around the house, such as cleaning the kids’ mess and preparing milk bottles, even when she was off of work. She would voluntarily tidy up the kitchen even after I told her that one of us would do it – she told me once, “I see you guys work all day and I’m here to help so I don’t mind doing extra things.”
She has been with us now for 11 months and not only has she forged a lovely bond with our children, she continues her humble and helpful attitude. I have a 4-year old sassy daughter with a big personality and 2-year old very active twin boys who love to find ways to get into things they shouldn’t. When she first came, I told her I cannot handle being alone with the 3 of them for an extended time and my husband travels and works late nights so I need her to be my helping hand. My daughter immediately warmed up to Belen within a few days as Belen started to pretend play with her. Then within 2 weeks, the boys had warmed up to her. Pretty soon, I found that she was able to manage all 3 kids better than I could and I was able to even learn a few tricks from her. I’d come down from work (I work from home when not traveling), and I’d find the four of them together at a table doing crafts and getting along great! I trust her now to watch all the kids by herself, keep them safe, and behaving on track.
Of course, it was not all rose-tinted shades… it never is with children.
There have been moments my daughter has tested Belen’s patience, and Belen has a way to remain calm with her (more than I can ever stay calm) even when she is taxing her nerves. Belen complained to me a few times that my daughter is being difficult, and I tried to speak to my daughter, but Belen took it upon herself to find creative ways to win over my daughter’s heart. Before Belen arrived, I asked my daughter every night, “what was your most favorite part of the day?” at bedtime, and she would always say “playing with mommy.” Now, I find it bittersweet that when I ask her this question, she says, “playing with Belen.” Belen has become a big sister to my daughter, and she is such a good influence on her.
Belen always talks about her family and the values and manners that her mother taught her. I must give accolades to the wonderful job her mother did in raising such a kind and humble girl. Belen tells my daughter the stories of her own mom and how she treated her growing up, and I find my daughter listening keenly to these stories and even behaving better with me because of them.
She is our first au pair and we are very grateful that she has been so wonderful and has decided to do her extension year with us. We realize we are lucky and blessed. I know her life in Ecuador has been difficult and we are thankful that we are able to provide her with a new opportunity in this country to enjoy her life and grow as a person with new experiences. We without a doubt think she should be the winner of the Love My Au Pair Contest.
