Au Pair: Mathuros Settapruksa from Thailand

Host Family:  VanWormer Family in New York

I am nominating Mathurous Settapruksa (Matty) for the Au Pair of the Year Award, because she truly is a remarkable individual. The changes that I have seen in our family over the past 8 months are directly related to her. She has a kind and gentle nature that radiates to those around her.

I do not know that I have the words to describe what a blessing Matty has been to our family. We have four very active little girls, ages 1 to 6, who adore Matty. Jim and I have come to think of Matty as a member of our family. It is hard to remember a time when she was not with us.

To understand the depth of Matty’s importance to our family, you have to understand us. Jim and I both work full-time and are both members of the Air Force National Guard. One of us often has to spend extended time away from home. Prior to Matty’s arrival, we noticed a distinct behavioral difference in the girls when Jim or I were away from home. Since Matty’s arrival, any extended departure of Jim or I has become a seamless transition for the girls.

Jim is currently away from home for 6 weeks. He is in training for the National Guard and is not even allowed to call home. Prior to his departure, we were discussing with Matty how difficult these 6 weeks would be, and her response to me was “We can do it”. Here she is giving me encouragement for a difficult time ahead, when ultimately, it also meant increased work for her.

Matty has taken on additional responsibilities with poise and grace. For example, she has taken over responsibilities with the girls that had previously fallen to Jim, such as cooking dinner and giving showers. That in and of itself has been a huge relief to me. 

But Matty has gone beyond that. She has found a way to get the girls involved in cleaning the house. Yes, cleaning the house! Coming home to a house that has been decluttered is such a stress relief. It allows the few hours that I have with the girls before they go to bed to be spent playing and enjoying our time together. Having Matty in our family has increased the quality time we are able to spend together as a family.

When we first looked into an Au Pair, I had reservations. I did not know how I would feel about someone living in my house; I was concerned about the quality of care the girls would received; and I was afraid the culture shock of living in our small town would be too much for someone from another country. Matty has alleviated all of those concerns.

Matty has never been anything but respectful and kind. She usually has dinner with us, even though her working day is done and will help set or clear the table and do the dishes. She has adjusted really well to our town and has made many friends through the Au Pair network. She is adventurous and has visited numerous places on her own, or with her friends.

The most important thing Matty has brought to our family is peace of mind. I am never worried when the girls are in her care because I know that she will always care for the girls as if they were her own family. She understands the unique personality differences between all four and is able to reach each one of them on their level. 

The girls often call me Matty, when they mean to say Mom. It makes me smile. I know that reflects the comfortable and loving environment they are in when I am not there with them and really, that is what every parent wants for their children.

There will come a time that Matty will have to leave us to go home to her own family. And while that will be a difficult time for the girls, I know we will all consider ourselves a better family because of the time she spent with us. Our motto has become “We can do it”.