Meet AuPairCare's 2016 Ultimate Host Moms

Annually hundreds of au pairs nominate their host moms in our Ultimate Host Moms contest. The entries we received were sweet, funny and emotional- so it was hard to pick just three winners! Each of the winning entries below showed the amazing ways our au pairs host moms have impacted their lives.

My host mom was my best friend and mom in one person right from the very first second. She trusts me with everything I'm doing and I know that I can always come to her and that she always takes time when I need to talk to somebody. When I need a best friends she's there as my best friends but when I need a hug from somebody she can be like my second mom, I know that I can always count on her. Another reason I love my Host mom is that we're working out things together and that she always makes sure I'm happy and comfortable with everything. Even when my Host mom is working a lot and I don't get to see her often during the week she always cares about me. I just have the feeling I know my Host mom since forever and that's one of the reasons I'm going to stay another Year with my amazing Host family!

My Host mom and me are doing a lot of activities together, even in our freetime.  We're going shopping together, we're going on one Day trips but our favorite things to do is to eat Pizza! Another things that brings us together is that my Host mom is trying to learn German and it's so great to see how hard she's trying to learn my Language and my culture! It's bringing us so close everytime where are spending time together.

- Au pair Larissa from Germany on her host mom Laura from Nevada

I am blessed with an incredible host mom. Nicole is so lovely and friendly and always makes me feel right at home. I know she will always be there to help me with any problem, no matter how big or small they may be. She truly cares about me and is there to listen to my needs and requests. She invites me to all of her family dinners, celebrations, birthday parties, travels, etc, because as she says "I am member of her family". Even my biological parents and my sister visited me and Nicole welcomed them as if she had known them for years. In conclusion I am having the best experience of my life and my host mom makes it even more enjoyable. She is the best host mom I can ask for, and I am very thankful to her for making my stay so pleasant. I know that I will always have a second family in United States.

My host mom and I have shared many wonderful moments. Sometimes at the end of the week she invites me out to eat, we attend some events with her adorable son, we enjoy going out for walks. We like to cook together too. She had asked me to teach her how to cook "ceviche" which is a traditional plate of my home country. Now we cook it together all the time because she knows how much I miss Ecuadorian food. Recently there was an earthquake in my native country and it was all over the news, she asked me about my family and friends because she was worried about this. She even made a donation for the victims of the earthquake in my home country. That was so nice of her. I love my host mom. All of those things are so special. But I think the most special thing that has happened is when my mother came to visit and stay with us. We were all sitting at the kitchen table and I got up to attend to baby Walter, and when I returned I could hear them talking to each other. My mother speaking Spanish and my host mother speaking English to each other. They both do not speak the opposite language. But they were having a great conversation. It was very cute and was that moment I truly realized I had such an amazing host mother. She truly cares about me and my family.

- Au pair Maria from Ecuador on her host mom Nicole of Illinois

Charity is my person. She is the Han Solo to my Chewbacca. She is one of the most phenomenal people I have ever met.  From the moment I arrived in California she has gone out of her way to make me feel at home.  She is so insightful and has helped me grow on so many levels with her amazing advice, I have really become a stronger woman because of her.  She has been there for me every step of the way and I can talk to her about anything and everything. Our communication is outstanding and our professional boundaries are clear and concise. She is so loving and kind and has the most amazing relationship with her three boys. I can only hope that one day I will be as awesome with my kids as she is with hers. She encourages my independence and we have a very strong bond of trust and respect. She makes me want to be the best aupair I can be. I love this family so incredibly much, I truly could not have asked for a better host mom. She has done so much for me and for that I am forever grateful.

Charity has been amazing with including me  in all activities and letting me get the most out of my aupair experience.  Last year we went with the kids to Camp Oski where I was able to experience a true American Summer camp. We had the most amazing time and it was so great to share this family tradition with them. She also took me to Long Beach where we got to stay on the Queen Mary for two days! I helped her move from her house downtown in Santa Barbara up to Goleta and its fun to give her advice and opinions on decorating the house.  On hot days we like to hang out outside and tan while the kids play with the sprinkler or we are at baseball games cheering for the boys.

- Au pair Micaela from South Africa on her host mom Charity from California