We are currently on our third Italian au pair (Nikla), our first two (Antonella and then Chiara) have had a warm and positive impact on my daughter Annachiara and our entire family. At one point this summer Antonella returned for a visit and in the wake of the birth of my infant son my daughter had fun "exploring" a nearby walking trail with both her past and present au pairs! I could relax at work knowing that they loved my daughter as only a family member could. My husband and I both commute in to New York from the suburbs, our hours are long and our schedules are often unpredictable. It was so wonderful having someone at home with my daughter (and now also my infant son) from the time we stepped out the door. Over the course of the past two years I also had to perform 3 short term overseas assignments in the U.K. as a reserve officer in the US Air Force. Having an au pair is what made this possible and reduced the stress on my daughter. Additionally, I am a proud Italian American and have been thrilled that my daughter has daily exposure to the Italian language and culture that I grew up appreciating.
Submitted by Lauren Perone Jones, host mom in New York