A question we often get is, “What happens when our au pair has to leave?” The Whitus family shared their story with us, and showed how they make each au pair part of their family, and the special tradition their German au pairs created to welcome the newest member.
I wanted share this photo with you all. This is a picture of four generations of Whitus German au pairs! The girls met a few weeks ago in Osnabruck, Germany to welcome our newest au pair into the Whitus extended German family.
All of these girls are part of our family, and we consider ourselves so lucky to have them in our lives. This meeting has become a tradition that the girls started in order to meet the newest au pair, introduce themselves and give her advice before she arrives in Texas and joins our family. I think this picture is really neat and says a lot about how successful the au pair program can be. From left to right: Jane (who was with us from 2007-08), Melina (our new au pair arriving this summer), Anna (2012-2013) and Svenja (2012-2014). Unfortunately, Sarah (2009-20010) was unable to join them because she was working in Southern Germany and Anna is currently still with us!
Four generations of au pairs meet in Germany
I would like to also add all of our German girls have come back to visit (Jane has come three times, and her parents came once!) and is coming again in August! Sarah has come back once, Anna has come back two times and is coming again in September, and Svenja has come back twice (her mom has come too!) and is coming back again August 2016!
Thank you to Au Pair In America for giving all of us such a great life experience! I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful impact this has had on our family. I also have to say a special thank you to Sarita Tennant, who was our Community Counselor for many years. She was also instrumental in making this extended family such a success.
As you can see, we love our German family!
What did their au pairs have to say?
Melina:
I will be the new au pair of the Whitus family and I am really excited. I already packed my bag and in 5 days I will be in New York. I can’t wait to meet the Whitus family in Texas! For me, this meeting with the girls was really helpful. We talked about special advice, funny stories and of course about wonderful moments during their au pair year. I really looking forward seeing these girls again in Texas or in Germany.
Jane:
My favorite part of being an au pair was being part of a real American family. There’s no better way to get to know the culture and people. What I cherish most today is the fact that from 2008 on we have always managed to keep in touch. In fact, on my third visit there I took Sherri’s older daughter with me to Germany – she had just turned 18 and she loved it! My fourth visit was almost three years ago, way too long, so I am really excited to go back there in only three weeks time. It’s incredible to watch the kids grow up and to see how they’ve changed over the years and how they haven’t. An experience I wouldn’t want to miss!
Anna H:
It was the time of my life and I’m getting ready to come back the third time, it just feels like coming home. I’m so lucky to be a part of this extended family!
Anna H. and myself in San Francisco
Find out more about the program and view au pairs available now on our website.
