Ultimate Au Pair Nominee
Au Pair: Anne Harks
Netherlands
Host Family: The Jetts
Location: California
"My name is Anne Elizabeth Martina Gerdina Antonia Harks. But you can call me Abby - that's my American name." These were some of the first words we heard from our new au pair - the young woman whom we would be living with for the next year. We had a number of lingering worries. Would Abby like us? Would we like her? Would she love our daughter Molly, who at the time was just 13 months old? Would Molly accept her?
I can honestly say that after just a few days with Abby, all those questions were answered and the answer was that she loved us and we loved her! It has been just a few months and already we cannot imagine life without her. Abby is a great au pair, great roommate, and great friend.
It is so hard to leave my daughter in the morning, but I have extraordinary confidence that Molly is in the best hands, and that I will hear about all her adventures when I get home. Each morning, Molly waves goodbye as she and Abby begin a full day. Abby and Molly have a schedule, which Abby created, of walking to the park, playing, napping, lunch, activities such as coloring, and learning. My husband and I have even taken many cues from Abby; we often replicate her activities on the weekends or evenings. In just a week or two, Abby taught Molly to point to her head, tummy, hands, and feet and Molly's learning has continued exponentially!
Abby is also dedicated to teaching all of us more about Holland and Dutch culture, which we love. We did an internet search and found a Dutch grocery store within driving distance so Abby could buy the needed ingredients for homemade Dutch pancakes. She also introduced us to Drop (Dutch licorice that is very different and much stronger than American licorice) and she laughed hysterically when our faces contorted while trying it. "You did well," she praised, "most Americans spit it out!"
When Sinterklaas (the Dutch Santa) arrived in Long Beach, California, courtesy of the area Dutch community, we were there with Abby to greet him. Abby's mother had sent over a costume for Molly, as most Dutch children dress up as Zwarte Piet (Santa's helper) to greet Sinterklaas. Molly wore her costume proudly, gobbled down pepernoten (gingerbread), danced to Sinterklaas songs, and received a toy horse. Later that evening, our shoes were placed by the fireplace, in proper Dutch fashion, to be filled with more Sinterklaas presents. And a few days later, Abby gave a presentation on Sinterklaas to my husband's elementary school class. All the children were so impressed!
Abby has been having a great time with us and with her new friends in California. I was so worried that since we live in a suburban area she would feel isolated and far away from the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Not so! Abby is the most self-sufficient social person I have ever met. She juggles numerous friends, a steady boyfriend, and an active social life - all of which she found with little help from us. While our evenings are filled with our daughter Molly's activities, we live vicariously through Abby's stories of sightseeing and parties. She is a wonderful friend to us as well as to Molly.
Abby is without question the "Ultimate Au Pair." We are so lucky that she is with us!
