Host Family Testimonials
Host Family: The Hammocks
Location: Georgia
Au Pair: Fabiola Cantero, Paraguay
I used to think au pairs were only for wealthy families, and I honestly didn't put much thought into the idea when a friend recommended the program after our triplets were born in 2005. We can't afford it, I thought, and we want to raise our own children. How uncomfortable it would be to have a stranger live in our house. All the unfounded stereotypes and worst-case scenarios floated through my mind. Little did we know we'd end up with the best possible scenario!
After a couple of crazy stressful years and a recent move from Austin to Atlanta, I knew I needed full-time help. But who in their right mind would choose to take on
2 1/2 year old triplets? Our quest ended when we found Fabiola.
Fabiola has exceeded our wildest expectations. She cares deeply for the children and they absolutely love her. Not many people can single-handedly manage triplets this age for even a few hours, let alone all day (day after day ... after day). It requires a tremendous amount of energy, patience, and genuine caring. Frank, Charlie, and Katie are adorable and will steal your heart, but being healthy active toddlers, they can also steal your sanity in the process.
Imagine the situation which Fabiola's arrived into: all three children had contracted a case of hand, foot, and mouth disease. They had high fevers and sores inside their mouths. The kids were terribly fussy and hungry but it hurt to eat, and they wanted nothing to do with a stranger trying to help out. I hadn't slept much in a week and had not prepared Fabiola with a schedule, house rules, or many of the standard things to help her get her bearings. I was surprised she didn't hop on a plane back to Paraguay (heck, I wanted to!) She was tired, disoriented, and homesick, but she was the picture of grace in the face of a difficult transition. Fabiola helped me get the kids healthy and establish our working relationship, all while she was adjusting to a new home, language, food, and culture.
While many au pairs have fairly straightforward jobs of driving kids to school and activities and helping with homework, Fabiola has to manage the unpredictable and sometimes crazy situations that arise with three toddlers. We're now in the midst of potty training, which can be difficult with one child, let alone three. She has remarkable patience for this.
Fabi can handle the triplets by herself all day so I get a real break, or she takes two of them so I can have some precious one-on-one time that wasn't possible before. We work together to do activities with the children that I could not do by myself with all three. It takes a rare combination of initiative and strength to take charge when I'm out, and the ability to follow my lead when I'm home. Fabi and I have great communication even though she's still learning to be fluent in English (she speaks Spanish and Portuguese). She brings a unique perspective from her cultural background that is invaluable. She's become a very dear friend, truly a member of our family, and I trust her 100%.
Not only does Fabi have a huge heart and the patience of a saint, she's also a very intelligent and motivated woman. She's applied her knowledge from nutrition school to help us with Charlie's special gluten-free, dairy-free diet. Plus, she's helping our whole family transition to a healthier diet. And she's a great cook! In her time off, Fabi volunteers at the YMCA helping disabled children with swimming classes. She's an inspiring role model for the children (and me!)
How different my outlook is from a few short months ago! It's so striking. I'm less stressed, I'm feeling healthier, I've been able to take on part-time contract work, I spend quality time with my husband, and I'm a better mom because of it all. To top it off, I just went back to school to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. In fact, a good friend back in Austin has written a comedy for local theater titled "The One, the Only, The Fabi: an Infomercial" about how everything in your life will be better if you have a Fabi!
How did we get so lucky? Why did she pick us when there were obviously easier gigs out there? I'm so glad she felt the same connection I did when we initially spoke on the phone. Fabiola is an amazing woman and we are profoundly thankful that she has become a part of our family.
Did I mention she also cut and highlighted my hair? Seriously.
