Ultimate Au Pair Nominee
Au Pair: Aline Sengstag
Switzerland
Host Family: The Sauters
Location: New Jersey
My name is Damien Sauter and I am the host mom to Aline Sengstag who I would like to nominate for "The Ultimate Au Pair Award."
May of 2007 was a very stressful time for me. I was due to return to work in June after having enjoyed a four month maternity leave, but I had not yet found someone to take care of my four-month-old baby Cadie, ten year old daughter Morgan, and twelve year old son Michael. I knew that it was a tough position to fill and that I needed to find someone special who had a genuine love for children. I turned to AuPairCare for help and within a couple of weeks, my family found our ultimate au pair - Aline Sengstag
Aline joined our family on June 21, 2007, exactly four months after the birth of our youngest daughter Cadie. Aline left a close family and boyfriend back in her native country, Switzerland to live with our family for the year and take care of our children who range in age from four months to seventeen (our oldest son Daniel). Aline quickly adjusted to her new responsibilities as an au pair and immediately bonded with the children and fit in wonderfully with our family. We overcame initial language barriers by keeping a French/English dictionary out on the kitchen counter. The entire family made an effort to try to speak the little French we knew to ensure Aline was comfortable. Her smile was contagious and her soft voice calmed both the baby and me. During her first week with us, Aline showed me that she could provide loving care and attention to Cadie's needs as well as take care of the needs of the older children which involved helping them with homework, preparing meals, and driving them to their many after school activities. After only one week with us, Aline ventured out with her new best friend Garmin and used our GPS to take Michael to his baseball games and Morgan to her softball games while navigating across multiple counties in New Jersey. Of course, she had to also take Cadie to all of these games and that meant making sure to pack everything that a baby needs. None of these responsibilities intimidated Aline. She is patient, warm, mature, responsible and loving - qualities I wanted the person who is taking care of my children to have.
I know that Aline is the ultimate au pair because I work in New York City four days a week and many times I do not call home to check on things until the very end of the day, if at all. I trust Aline and the quality of care that she provides to our children which is a really great feeling. Aline has made managing the demands of family and work a lot easier this year - especially with a new baby. I appreciate all of the extra things that she does for our family such as making a special dessert for Cadie's Christening that was quickly devoured by all of the guests and preferred over the cake. Aline is very flexible and willing to adjust her work schedule as needed. But enough said by me. Now, I'd like you to hear first-hand from the children who can talk and write and who benefit directly from her care - Michael and Morgan.
"The Ultimate Au Pair is definitely Aline. She isn't like most babysitters that don't care about the kids they are watching and don't have any patience for them. She is nice, caring, and thoughtful. My baby sister Cadie has a cast on her leg right now but that extra work doesn't bother Aline. Please make Aline the Ultimate Au Pair - she is the best!" - Michael (12)
"I think Aline is the Ultimate Au Pair for our family because she is always nice, no matter how tense situations can be. Aline always helps me with organizing my room and anything I need to do. Whenever we have free time or a day off, we always go do something fun like bowling, going to the movies or shopping. She is definitely better than all of our other babysitters combined! Aline is AWESOME!!!" - Morgan (10)
