Tag Archives: Thankful au pairs and host families

Au Pairs & Host Families are Thankful!

The Au Pair in America Suffolk County Host Families have a lot to be grateful for to one another this year.  Here is what some of them told their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba, when asked why they are thankful to each other this year:

Host Mom: We are thankful that she is so great with the kids!

Au Pair from Brazil: I am thankful to my host family this year because they treat me like family, they respect, they like me, and they let me feel in home being here. I love to stay with them, they mean a lot to me.

Host Mom & Dad: The list is long when it comes to gratitude for our au pair!   She keeps our house running, keeps our children entertained and learning, and they love her!

Au Pair from Brazil: I’m thankful for my family and friends! The people who are responsible for my happiness here! I’m thankful for my host family that always supports me in my decisions and always tries to make me comfortable! It has been an incredible year so far and I’m grateful for that!!

Host Mom: I am thankful for my au pair this year because she keeps my blood pressure from sky rocketing….

Au Pair from South Africa: I am thankful this year for my amazing host family that has welcomed me into their home with open arms and loving souls, my friends that I met along my journey, my Mom back home as she made this opportunity possible for me and for being able to experience so much in the USA this year.

Host Mom: Our au pair always has a smile and is so helpful with keeping us organized.  I know she will keep my daughters safe and that is so important to me.  I am thankful she really enjoys being with my girls and is always there for them.

Host Mom: I’m thankful for her kindness & flexibility. She’s so great!

Au Pair from Brazil: I am thankful for the respect they have with me and for giving me such an important opportunity for me.

Host Mom: I am grateful she is kind. She is very sweet and her kindness with the girls is wonderful. I think it is her kind heart that always her to be so patient with them. 

Au Pair from Croatia: I’m thankful to my host family this year because they gave me the opportunity to increase my knowledge in USA culture. I’m grateful because they treat me like part of family, because they’re acting more than nice to me, they are supporting me and trust my judgment. They believe in my dreams and they take my advice in consideration and they also provide me with advice which is very helpful. They encourage me to take care of my basic responsibilities and that increases my independence and self-esteem. To my host parents I would love to thank for the given trust when it comes to taking care of their amazing children, for being patient and for giving me opportunity to be part of their lovely family. My host kids are being more than friendly and helpful when it comes to improving my English, bringing fun in my life and making my life playful again. The whole family is truly bringing happiness and joy into my life.

Host Mom: I am thankful for a sweet, caring, genuine person as my children’s caregiver in our au pair.  Her smiles and tireless games of hide & seek, Barbies, Legos and anything they can dream up, never goes unnoticed or unappreciated.  Thank you to our au pair!

Au Pair from Thailand: I am thankful to my host family this year because this is the first time for me to come to America. I am thankful this year for my amazing host family that has welcomed me into their home. I’m grateful because they treat me like part of family. They are so nice to me. Their care of me makes me feel happy. I’m so glad that I can live with them in their warm and kindness, I love them! 

Host Dad: We are grateful that she brings joy and sparkle to our children.

Au Pair from Germany: I am thankful for having a host family that treats me like a real part of their family. A host family that is interested in my culture, that trusted me from the minute I entered their life and a host family that gives me hugs (and fist-bombs) when I need them. Thank you for all of that!

Host Mom: We are so thankful our au pair is part of our family. She is such a pleasure. She fits in so well and takes such great care of our baby!

Au Pair from Poland: I am thankful to my host family this year because I know that I can count on them in every situation. Their care of me makes me feel happier. I’m so glad that I can live with them in their warm and kindness, I love them! I am so thankful that I’m in your cluster. You are such a caring and loving person Cindy! Thanks for all your support. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Host Mom: I am grateful our au pair is so loving and caring with our kids.

Au Pair from Colombia: I am thankful for my life, and for being a healthy person. I am thankful for my family because they love me and always support me, and no matter the distance we can be apart, they are always there for me. I am thankful for my friends and for all the people who are around me. I am thankful for the opportunity to be here in the United States. I am so thankful for this experience of belonging to Au Pair in America. I have grown as a person and I have learned many things. I am thankful for the privilege to learn a second language such as English, which has helped me to see the world in a different way. I am very thankful for my host family because they made me feel like at home. I am thankful for my little host bly because he fills my life of joy with his love. I am so thankful for this year and all the things I have lived during it. Thank you for all your support Cindy.

Host Mom: I am thankful for my au pair and the abundance of love she shows to my children and the enormous smiles she puts on their faces every day. 

Host Dad: We are thankful for the love our au pair gives to our children.

Au Pair from Brazil: I am thankful to my host family this year because they always try to help me with everything I need, and because I can feel comfortable with them. 

Host Mom: While we have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day and Teacher’s Day to celebrate all the people who have shaped and formed our children, we do not yet have an official holiday to recognize our Au Pair’s contribution to our kid’s happy childhood. There is a saying in Chinese that “happy children love to sing.”  Every night when we get home, we hear the laughter and singing from our two girls and our au pair. There is no better testimonial of her impact to the children than seeing how happy my kids are. She is not just our Au Pair, she is an integral part of our family. Without our au pair, we wouldn’t have the comfort of knowing that our children are being care for by their loving big sister while we devote our energy on our careers.  We are immensely thankful and blessed to have her on our team. 

Host Mom: I am thankful for the bond my au pair shares with my son…..for the fun, smiles & laughter he enjoys in her company.

Au Pair from Brazil: I am thankful for the choice I made this year with my heart and intuition that changed all my experience as an au pair and for sure my life. The choice was to be this special family’s au pair. They receive me with open arms and love to be part of their family. I am also thankful for my friends that I made in my journey as an au pair they are my family here.

Host Mom: I am thankful to my au pair this year because of her kindness and serenity she has brought into our family. We feel truly blessed and grateful to have her with us! 

Au Pair from Thailand: I am thankful to my host family this year because this is the first time for me to get out of my comfort zone and moved to America for the learning experience. Everything is so new which is an adjustment, is the most important for living and I am so lucky and appreciate to be a part of this family. They are a nice family that are full of lovely support and sincerity. Time flies when I am having a good time. The rest of time in the United States and living with my host family I will do my best to be Thankful.

Host Mom: I am thankful to my Au Pair because she loves our children and keeps them happy and safe. She is a true blessing to our family and we will hold her in our hearts forever. 

Host Mom: We are all thankful we have a wonderful young lady who cares for our children and to have peace of mind that they are well tended and safe.

Au Pair from South Africa: I am thankful for how my host family feels more like a family to me than my own family back home does, they welcomed me into the family with open arms and warm hearts. I am thankful too have two incredible little sisters in my host kids, which I get to spend time with every day they have taught me some very valuable lessons in the short 8 months I’ve been here! I am thankful for the opportunities that have come over my path and that I have grown so much this past year , never in my life did I think I will be able to “conquer the world” on my own. I am thankful for my host parents who has shown me what being kind really is and how easy it is to care about the people you surround yourself with. I am thankful that they chose me to be the Big sister for their incredible little girls and like they said to me when we matched: It’s like finding a wedding dress : When you know it’s the right one , you know…I am thankful for the life I have been living here in the US.

Host Mom: She is the best Au Pair ever! She really became a part of our family and like a big sister to our daughter, who had an especially rough past year with my illness. I don’t know what we would have done without her.

Au Pair from Germany: This year I’m thankful for is a question is so hard to answer in just a few sentences and especially in one letter. Of course I’m thankful for being healthy and knowing my whole family is too, I’m thankful for the life I have, everything I experience, every struggle I can learn of, every situation I can grow on, every new information I can learn and for every new day with new chances and opportunities. I’m here in your family a bit more than three months, and I could write a whole book about this time and the things I am thankful for! The most important would be: Thank you for giving me the opportunity of living in your family and including me in your daily life. I’m thankful that I really feel like I ́m home in your house and you share your traditions with me! I’m thankful for getting to know you as a family and working with your children, because most of the time it doesn’t feel like hard work but more like being an older sister for them. I’m thankful that you care about me too and I don’t feel lonely here. You always try to make things possible which I want to do or if I want to go somewhere. I’m thankful for the free time you give me and especially that you trust me (in driving, going somewhere or just planning the afternoons with the girls)! I am thankful that we have things to talk about and to laugh about. That we watch movies together or hear Christmas songs and make plans for the weekends! I’m thankful for the match we did a few months ago, because I could have never imagined that my year in America could be so great and you made it possible for me! Thank you that I have so many positive things to tell my family and friends about my life here and that I didn’t really feel homesick. I really wanted you to know that, how happy I am to live in your family and just one more time to say thank you!

Thankful Host Families & Au Pairs

AP thanksgiving card 2015At Thanksgiving, we pause and express gratitude to others.  This year I want to thank all my au pairs and host families for the love and support they give each other every day.  I also thank each au pair for teaching me about their culture, showing me their bravery for coming from far away places and giving so much to your host families.  I appreciate that you keep me young and inspire me.  I give thanks for the warm, welcoming host families here on Long Island who open their homes and trust the care of their children to these young women.  Thank you to my fellow Community Counselors for your friendship, tips and counsel! Thank you, too, to all the staff of APIA for their support of all of us!   Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor, Suffolk County Au Pair in America

Here are some quotes of gratitude from Suffolk County au pairs and host families for Thanksgiving 2015:

Au Pair: I’m thankful for my host family who’s doing everything for me. They gave me the chance to fly to my sister’s wedding. I’m thankful that they always when they leave the house say “thank you to me” and when they come back. I’m thankful for my little kids who give me so much love and happiness. I’m thankful for all of my friends and my family. They support me and give me a good feeling.

Host Mom: I’m thankful for our au pair because she loves my children and takes great care of them in my absence. Thankful for your support, too!

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for the amazing experiences I had, for all the people I met, for all trips I had the opportunity to made, for America, for chosen Au Pair in America, because I know I never will be alone, I thankful for Cindy, my Community Counselor, more the one counselor, one friend, who gives time and attention, thankful for my family and friends, thankful for my life 🙂

Au Pair: This year I am thankful for all that I have learned in the US, changes, second chances to bright and be proud of what are made of, and show the best of you!.

Au Pair:  I am thankful for all the support that I got from Cindy and always being available to answer all my doubts. Also, I am very thankful with my host family for letting me continue with this experience for another year, for all the things that they taught me, for all the support that they gave me to continue with the school to improve my skills and for letting me be part of their family. Last but not least, I am very thankful to my family for encourage me to follow my dreams, for every word of encouragement and for all the love they give me. I’m going to spend Thanksgiving with my host family and some friends of them, it’s going to be an awesome day! Happy Thanksgiving! Lots of blessing!

Au Pair: This year I am thankful for the support I have from my family back at home and for my host family that make it feel like a never left 🙂

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for all changes life gives me. I’m thankful for the people who gave me the opportunity starting a new adventure e.g. my family back home, my host family in the U.S., my agency and all the people behind Apia. Thank you Cindy and thank you Annika, my counselor in Germany :). I’m thankful for being at places I’ve ever wished for, knowing people from other nationalities and get to know the American culture! I am thankful that I have seen myself grown because of all the situation the life here gives me. I’m thankful that I learn a different language and can improve a language which is not my mother language (I’m working at it :D). I’m happy with my host family and thankful because they are treating me like a real family member and give me the chance to feel like home here. I’m so thankful for so much things the list will be endless! All in all I’m thankful that I be happy and healthy and for all the people who making me to this person! Thank you!

Host Mom: This year I am thankful to my au pair because she has been my right hand.  With three children under five and the new transition to a single mom role (and all of the stress divorce can bring) she has graciously been eager to help and truly is a member of our family. My children call her their big sister and she loves them as such, providing them additional comfort and stability during such a difficult time. I love her and feel very protective of her, like my own. It was very cute, I took the children to the bagel shop very early one morning to eat breakfast. My daughter made friends with the children sitting at the table behind us.  The mother commented to her, wow how lucky, you have two brothers and you’re the only girl.  She proudly answered, no I have a big sister (her au pair).  I didn’t correct her because she is right.  The visual thought of this woman actual meeting my 25 year old Thai daughter made me smile to think I was eight when my first daughter was born! Our au pair is truly a blessing.  She is very mature.  Today is her 25th birthday!

Au Pair: I am thankful for my family, my host family and for my best au pair friend.

Au Pair: I am thankful for getting the possibility to spend a year in America with a nice host family. For all the new experiences I made so far, and I’ll make and especially for my family and friends!!!

Host Mom: We are thankful for our Au Pair because she takes good care of our daughter and helps with the dog, too!

Au Pair: My amazing au pair year and all of my new friends that I met in the USA. I am thankful especially for having a great host family.

Host Mom: We are thankful for our au pair for so many reasons.  She is always there to lend a hand and help to keep the household together during the busy work week.  Whether it is helping with dinner, doing homework, shuffling the kids to activities or reading bedtime stories, she is there to assist us.   We are lucky to have a kind, caring and helpful au pair.

Au Pair: I am thankful for the wonderful experience this program gave to me. And how through it I can appreciate more everything I have in my life especially family and friends

Host Mom: This year I am thankful to my au pair because she is very organized, very helpful, makes the best jam & spätzle, is very sweet, is loved by my kids & the host dad and me!

Au Pair: I am thankful for my family, my host family, for all the little things I don’t appreciate every single day and for my best friend here in the USA.

New Host Mom: I am thankful for my au pair because I can already see my son and husband and I already have another trustworthy and loving family member to add to our clan.

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for Au Pair in America agency and my host family! The agency help me a lot and bring me a chance to see the colorful world. And my host family give me an opportunity to go abroad! You all keep me warm as if I’m in my own home! You are nice and dynamic! Everything is going smoothly! Thank you very much!

Host Mom: I am thankful for our Au Pair.  She has a sweet and calm disposition which is especially helpful during this busy time of year.  She is a responsible and is a dedicated Au pair.  Last week I was ill and needed to go to the ER.  She is wonderful with my daughters and I knew I was leaving them in good hands.

Au Pair: I am thankful for my Host Family and friends who support me in every single way. I’m thankful for their love and their food!

Host Mom: This year I am thankful for my au pair because she is a warm and welcoming addition to our family who has brought love and fun to our home.

Au Pair:  I’m thankful for having the opportunity of living with a wonderful American family, meeting many new friends and also learning about the American culture. Im sure that this year will be the best of my life.

Thanksgiving-825x510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankful Au Pairs & Host Families 2014

PhotoScan

Host Family says: We are extremely thankful for our wonderful au pair. We feel truly blessed to have gotten someone as wonderful as her for this important year as we are welcoming our 4th child in the spring.  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Au Pair says: What I’m thankful for is that I got a second chance, that I can spend my year in a family where I feel comfortable and home in, that my host family respects me and helps me to feel home and I’m thankful that I get the chance to live a different life.

Au Pair says: I am thankful for being able to fulfill my dream of living abroad in a country that is as crazy as wonderful with all its characteristics. I also am thankful for meeting so many new and different people from all around the world, who are all in the same situation and who are all feeling the same feelings. Moreover I am thankful for feeling home and welcome by my host family and my Community Counselor, Cindy, so that I don’t even think about feeling homesick.

Host Family says: We are thankful for our au pair because she is so good with our girls. She is sweet, considerate, patient, understanding and helpful.  She has excellent communication skills and really enjoy sharing our lives with her.

Au Pair says: I am thankful for my au pair life in New York that made me had a good experience and a good time with everyone I saw. Thank you very much for my host family who I am stay with and made me good memories with them. Happy thanksgiving to you, too Cindy!

Host Family says: I am very thankful for our au pair because she is so determined (and not giving up) to make my wild children into polite, thoughtful, neat, respectful little human beings.  And also for being so supportive to her host mom.Au Pair says: I’m thankful for being part of a beautiful American Family, that supports me and include me as I am part of them. I’m thankful for the kids that I have, because they color my gray days

Host Family says: We are excited that our au pair will be able to spend Thanksgiving with us, and we are so thankful that she’s part of our family and that she loves our son so much. I know she had a great time at the Rockettes this weekend. Thank you so much for organizing that!

Au Pair says: I am thankful for this awesome experience and how much I’ve grown in the past 6 months. I’m very thankful to my host family for making me very comfortable and I’m thankful that I get to hang out with 2 awesome little boys all the time! Happy thanksgiving to you, too Cindy!!

Au Pair says: I can tell you that I am thankful for the au pair program, my host family, and you. Without all of this I wouldn’t be able to realize how much I am thankful for my family, friends and my culture. I appreciate you card and letter, and I’m excited for our December meeting.

Host Family says: We love our au pair and we are thankful to have such a hardworking Au pair that blends right into our family! I’m praying she stays for 2 years!!  To be completely at ease while my husband and I work and to know everything is taken care of and my children are loved, is such a blessing!  I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Au Pair says: Being an au pair has made me thankful for my great host family, that shows me that it’s possible to feel at home away from home” 🙂 I am grateful for this new experience and that all my loved ones are healthy. I think our health is one of the most important things in the world, just as Family and friends. I’m thankful that I am part of this host family and I am thankful for all the support from my family and friends at home in Germany and of course for all the new friends I met here on long Island:) and that I am in such a great cluster like this 🙂

Host Family says: This year we are thankful for everything we have including a home (with heat and food on the table), jobs (to pay for it all), our health (in spite of the aching backs) , our family (they are all healthy and reasonably happy), and an Au pair to share in the chaos that makes up what we are thankful for.

Au Pair says: I am thankful for being an au pair in such a great family. I’m so glad that I can have the experience being an au pair in this family. They are so kind and nice, they treat me like a family member and I can talk about everything with them and we laugh so much together and I am very thankful for that. Of course I’m very thankful for my family in Germany and I appreciate them so much more since I’m here. Long story short, I’m thankful for everything in my life!

Au Pair says:  I´m very, very thankful that my friends and family supported me and my plans to travel to the USA. I´m also very thankful that I found such a nice family, who offers me that much and that they give me the opportunity to stay here and let me be a part of their family for a year! This is such a great family!

Host Family says: All is well with us. I am thankful for our au pair because she is a part of our family and she loves our children. I already know that it will be incredibly difficult when she leaves to go home but my children will have a collection forever.

Au Pair says: This year I am thankful for so many things!!!!! I’m very thankful that I found such a great host family, I came to such a nice area and met so many nice and awesome people!! I’m thankful for everything I have, thankful for all the happiness and progress in my life 🙂

Host family says: We are thankful for our au pair’s good care of our daughter. Thank you

Au Pair says: I’m thankful for my host family because she gave me the feeling that I’m at home! My host parents help me and I can ask all the question I have. I’m also thankful for my family and my friends at home. They stand behind me and give me a lot of motivation and power!

Au Pair says: This year I am thankful for my kind and generous host family who shares their home with me and gives their best to be my new family and welcome me in their culture. I am also thankful for having such a nice community counselor who welcomed me when I didn’t know anybody and luckily was sympathetic from the very beginning so that I know that somebody “has my back” if I have a problem 🙂 I’m thankful for my family at home who misses me and thinks of me and, of course, for my friends at home who try to keep in touch as often as possible although it sometimes takes some time until I can answer. They make me feel like I never left home and I don’t miss anything while being here. But also, I am thankful for the new friends I found here who helped me exploring my new home and are a part of helping me feel not to be alone 🙂 I am very, very thankful that all my loved ones (and I) are healthy and happy and that my grandmother deals well with the death of my grandfather this summer. I am thankful that I could attend his funeral and see him a last time when he was very conscious and himself.

Au Pair say:  I am thankful that I could graduate this year with a satisfying result hand the support of my friends and family. I am so thankful that so many people believe in me, not only my friends and family but also the parents of the children I babysat for or tutored who always encouraged me to follow my dreams, as also my parents’ friends or people I actually barely know.  At last but not least I would like to express my thanks for my long gone great grandmother who made this year possible by inheriting me money for my future and always inspired me when I was little. And of course thank you APIA for helping me find a welcoming host family 🙂  Thank you Cindy for making me write this I would have never done it on my own but it was really nice to think about all the good thinks that are happening and to reconsider the developments in my life 🙂

Host Family says: We are so thankful we found our first au pair who so perfectly fits in with our family! We find the help from her wonderful and her contributions to our house are great. We are thankful for the memories she’s giving the children with our au pair experience!

Au Pair says: This year I am thankful for the opportunity to live the experience of being an Au Pair. I am thankful for sharing with a wonderful host family. I am Thankful for what I learn from them and from my hosts little girls. It has been the best experience of my life. Thanks therefore. Only once in life!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Au Pair says: In this year I am so grateful with my new host family because they care about me, they trust in me and they love me as a part of their family and no just like an Au Pair. I am so grateful because I could visit so many places through this experience like Washington D.C, Miami, Los Angeles, Vancouver Canada, San Francisco, Seattle and NY. Being and Au pair is one of the best experience in my life because I enjoy taking care of kids and meeting new people around the world. I am so grateful to have 2 great women as a Counselor who always care about me in this experience out of my country because it was not easy at the beginning.

Au Pair says: This year I am thankful for my wonderful host family and their support and understanding in every situation. I am really happy to be part of this family. And I am glad that I already made lots of friends who I can talk about everything and have a very good time together. Also I want to say thank you to you Cindy. I really enjoy the APIA meetings and activities. It’s always fun. You are doing a great job. Happy Thanksgiving

Host Family says: We are thankful for our Au Pair from Germany who takes such good care of our daughter and dog too! We are happy to have her as our Au Pair!

Host Family says: I’m thankful for the health of my family and that our au pair cares so deeply for the children.

Au Pair says:  I AM THANKFUL FOR… the great Lord for giving me this fantastic opportunity to be an Au pair. My parents for being the awesome parents that they are, for being supportive, open minded and understanding me. My amazing host family. For au pair in America and all they have done for me. For my good health. My Family and friends that love and care for me. I’m thankful for all I have and everything I’m yet to receive and I am thankful and grateful for this wonderful life I have.

Host Family says: This year I am thankful for our au pair joining our family so seamlessly, so respectfully, and above all so lovingly. I am also thankful to be part of such an incredible family – inside and out.  There is so much to be said about being a mom, and for that, too, I am grateful!

Host Family says: This year we are thankful for the health of our family and the love and support we have around us.  We are grateful for our au pair’s calm approach to handling the kids and the love she has for them and them for her.

Host Family says: We are thankful for our au pair being so kind and patient in teaching the girls both Mandarin and emphasizing good social skills too. She’s a terrific addition to our family and greets every day with great humor and joyfulness!! Simply a delight to have our au pair be part of our household.