A story of a doctor who found an Au Pair during pandemic

Some candidates and Host Families just deserve the title Host Family or Au Pair of the year! They have been a life saver for each other and changed each other’s lives for the better. We have selected the best stories and are now happy to honour one of the winner's story.

We are a family of four; my children are 7 and 4. This is our first experience of having an au pair, after our nanny of 7 years decided to retire back to the Philippines. Needless to say, it was a big change!

 

Micaela and I met via AuPair.com in May, in the heart of the first wave of Covid in London. I was hoping to find someone I could meet face to face when travel was very restricted, and was banking on finding someone already in London. Little did I know, fate was on my side!

 

Micaela had recently arrived in the UK to pursue an adventure after graduating from University in South Africa. Despite covid and the travel restrictions; nothing could deter her. It is testimony to her diligence, determination and optimism. I met her, distanced, in the park with my son; she explained carefully the mechanisms of how volcanoes work, while he hung form trees, piqueing his curiosity and forming and instant bond. I was hooked.

 

We weren’t ready to start full time until a few months later; she patiently waited and came on holiday with us to Norfolk where she rolled up her sleeves, collaborated and united with another nanny and overall, made our lives so much better with her presence. We were extremely impressed with her ability to muck in and be part of a team.

 

Official “Day 1” was the day before my son’s first day at school; she was there when we wished him luck, and off he went, through the big doors. She was calm and confident -  the feelings you hope your youngest felt on his big first day. 

 

As a doctor and a frontline worker, I am busy.  Busier than I think is ideal for my children sometimes, and the pandemic has made it worse. Micaela has brought calm, security and stability to a hectic household. She has relieved me of homework duties I couldn’t always complete, due to both my husband and I having very busy work schedules. She has a natural sense for timing, and knows how to instill confidence in sensitive children. 

 

She beared a 14 day isolation with us when my husband got Covid and never complained; she wore a mask consistently throughout and distanced from me because I was negative. Her kindness and consideration was overwhelming.

 

Her influence extends beyond academic support; value systems, moral duty and kindness are a few of the fundamental principals she helps us uphold when we are absent. Her gentle and confident approach with the children is demonstrable; the children are reassured and settled by her consistent and level headed approach that is well beyond her 23 years. 

 

I am grateful on a daily basis for being lucky enough to have Micaela in my life, and my children’s lives. I need to take a leaf or two out of Micaela’s parents’ book because she is an extraordinary woman, who I have a lot to learn from.