The Mansfield Family Testimonial

Dear Au Pair,

Hi, we are the Mansfield-Greenwald family, David and Maggie and our two daughters, Maisie (ten years old) and Lulu (seven years old).

We live in Maplewood, New Jersey. We have a house on a lovely tree-lined street just two blocks from town. We have a large backyard and in warm weather we like to cook on our outside grill and socialize with friends. Maplewood is a small residential community not far from New York City. There is direct train service from Maplewood to New York's Penn Station. You can walk out of our house and be in New York CIty in less than an hour, yet our town is small, quiet and very safe. It is a perfect vantage point from which to explore New York City for the first time! There are several universities in the area for you to choose from to attend classes, as well as many opportunities to meet and socialize with other young people.

Maggie and I are both in the film business. Maggie writes and directs television and feature films. She also teaches graduate-level directing at Columbia University. Maggie normally goes to her office nearby to write three days a week and teaches at Columbia for two days. I compose music for film and television, and mostly work from home in my studio. We work normal daytime hours, although occasionally we may have to work late. Flexibility in scheduling is very important to us.

Maisie and Lulu have many varied interests and activities. They both study music; Lulu has been playing piano for three years and Maisie plays the violin. They both study Chinese. Lulu is extremely athletic and holds a Green Belt in karate. Maisie loves to cook; she wants to be either a doctor or a chef when she grows up! Both girls love to be active, riding bicycles, scooters, swimming and playing tennis, as well as playing with their friends. The girls are very close with each other and even if they argue at times, they are truly the best of friends.

We would like our au pair to have experience with school-age children. Being able to help with homework, especially mathematics, is important to us. Responsibilities would include light housework (for the children only!) during the time they are in school-- making their beds, tidying and organizing their rooms, doing their laundry. After school they would need supervision and help with homework, taking them to lessons, and organizing play dates.

Our family style is mostly casual, warm and informal. We are excited to have someone from another country and culture, who speaks another language besides English, as part of our household. We look forward to welcoming you into our family.

Sincerely yours,
David Mansfield and Maggie Greenwald