When we first made the decision to welcome an Au Pair to our home, we were pretty hesitant but had no other choice. Due to a few insinuating circumstances, our 2nd child was due in 6 weeks and we didn’t have any open options for childcare for when I went back to work. We had heard from other families who had great experiences, but also some who had not so great experiences. Fortunately for our family, we have had more than a great experience, we have had an AMAZING one.
Ale came from Ecuador in May, and over the last 7 months has grown with our family in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Her main “job” was to watch our baby daughter, Kendal, during the day and then on Fridays have both Kendal and our 4-year-old, Bailey, but every day she does so much more.
First off, family means the most to her. Not just immediate or even extended family, but those she’s met along life’s path (she’s had some amazing experiences, all of which she loves to share). She could talk for hours about places she’s been, people she’s met and things she’s seen. It really has opened our eyes to another world. In her eyes, we are a piece of her family, and she has extended that love to us greatly. It has changed the way we all view each other as a family. She leaves us “love” notes to welcome us home from a long weekend, she’s given both my husband and me personal Birthday letters expressing her gratitude, but also letting us know how special each of us is to her. For Christmas, she wrote us a letter that even had my husband in tears (I’ve only seen him cry once – our wedding day).
Ale loves our girls 100 times more than anyone we know. The bond she has with them is almost like they have 3 parents that love them more than life itself. For the last three months, every time I think of her leaving, I cry – literally cry. One, Bailey sees her as another mom, she even laughs at herself when she accidentally calls Ale mom, or me Ale. It’s pretty cute. They have a special bond, so the part that tears me up is that Bailey is going to miss her so much.
She’s been on vacation for the last couple of days, and our 9-month-old was tired, grouchy and just plain mad one night and Ale video called us to say hi and immediately, Kendal’s face lit up, she started smiling, waving, and bouncing on the floor. It’s fun to see that she’s had such an impact on a baby. Kendal clearly loves her too!
So to say Ale came to “watch our kids” is nominal. She came to show us how much we could love each other, and to help our kids learn to love family as deeply as she does. We LOVE her!!!!!
