Au Pair: Tanja Dutsch from Germany
Host Family: Hulsy Family in Southern California
I am proud to nominate Tanja Dutsch for Au Pair of the Year award. We are an average family who has had extraordinary problems over the last 5 months. I can say, without question, that my family would not be together had Tanja not joined our family in August.
When considering hiring an au pair, I had the normal considerations: like how my three children 3, 5, and 7 would adapt to a new person in the home. I was worried about the cost, the upheaval and the uncertainty of the process. However, I had no way of knowing that my wife would have her first seizure in July followed by 4 months of subsequent hospitalizations, tests and doctors appointments. Tanja made these tough times bearable.
Though she is only 19, Tanja brought a world of maturity and caring to the situation for my family. She instantly bonded with each of my children, learned their schedules, their infinite likes and dislikes, and became part of my family. With an incredible tenacity she gently takes over when needed yet yields enough to my wife so that, despite the medical challenges, my wife still feels like the mother and woman of the house.
Tanja is the eldest of two girls in her family in Southern Germany. She brought her own culture and experiences to our living situation in dramatic fashion. Having lost her own mother at the age of 8 to cancer, Tanja sensitively and resolutely helped institute traditions in our family that will continue long after her departure to University in fall of 2010. Since Tanja joined our family, we now have nightly sit down meals, defined homework and art times, and most importantly order and stability.
She will be our friend and family member forever. I am eternally grateful to Cultural Care for the fine caliber and effective selection process that brought Tanja Dutsch to me.
When considering hiring an au pair, I had the normal considerations: like how my three children 3, 5, and 7 would adapt to a new person in the home. I was worried about the cost, the upheaval and the uncertainty of the process. However, I had no way of knowing that my wife would have her first seizure in July followed by 4 months of subsequent hospitalizations, tests and doctors appointments. Tanja made these tough times bearable.
Though she is only 19, Tanja brought a world of maturity and caring to the situation for my family. She instantly bonded with each of my children, learned their schedules, their infinite likes and dislikes, and became part of my family. With an incredible tenacity she gently takes over when needed yet yields enough to my wife so that, despite the medical challenges, my wife still feels like the mother and woman of the house.
Tanja is the eldest of two girls in her family in Southern Germany. She brought her own culture and experiences to our living situation in dramatic fashion. Having lost her own mother at the age of 8 to cancer, Tanja sensitively and resolutely helped institute traditions in our family that will continue long after her departure to University in fall of 2010. Since Tanja joined our family, we now have nightly sit down meals, defined homework and art times, and most importantly order and stability.
She will be our friend and family member forever. I am eternally grateful to Cultural Care for the fine caliber and effective selection process that brought Tanja Dutsch to me.