Au Pair:  Saskia Groene from Germany

Host Family:  Wagner Family in Pennsylvania

Saskia has been the most wonderful addition to our family this year. She brings so many great attributes, and talents, and has made such a tremendous difference to our family that we just don't know how we'll survive without her!

You must first know that our family became seriously ill with Lyme disease a few years ago, and while we've healed substantially, there is still a lot that the children cope with including medicines, not being able to eat what every other kid eats, as well as intermittent pain, and other lingering issues from these horrible diseases. What we have wanted most for our kids is for them to feel "normal" and to be as functional as possible. For a new aupair coming to the U.S., it is hard enough, with the language, and different culture, let alone having to deal with this strange situation. When Saskia first came, we thought, oh my—she looks so young (and maybe not strong enough, assertive enough to deal with three enthusiastic and thankfully energetic kids)... but that impression was very misleading. Saskia is one of the most confident, active learners we've had as an aupair—and we speak from experience—she is actually our eighth au pair! Saskia has incredible enthusiasm, and commitment, takes her job seriously, and has terrific relationship and communication skills. She has initiative, and anticipates what is needed, and quickly became an integral part of the parenting team in our family. She is able to balance the authority of being the aupair "in charge" and developing strong friendships with Sarah, Sam and Peter. Our Peter calls her "his Saskia"—she has become a total member of our family, and we know we have found a life-long friend. She has had to juggle the complexities of medicines for 3 children, with school assignments and at times, handle sick or hurting children, and was so responsive and caring with our kids, that our family has healed a lot this year on many levels with her help. 

She has helped us organize our household so we could finally clean-up some of the many "messes" that occured when our family was severely ill with Lyme disease. She keeps our home humming on a routine that is beneficial to all, and yet manages to be flexible as well adapting to our varied scheduled. Both my husband and I have flexible schedules that change quickly involving international travel at times for me (I am a management consultant), and sudden meetings for my husband (he is Pastor of a Lutheran Church), and handles such changes with grace and agility.

And, we have also gained an "extended family" through her family—it turns out that Saskia is a Pastor's daughter—her father is a retired Lutheran Pastor in Germany, and we had the pleasure of having her family stay with us for many weeks this year, enjoying and connecting with them as if they were truly family.

Cultural Care made an excellent match with us. Every year brings new talents and personalities, that all enrich our lives—but this year has been special in so many ways—Saskia's joy, enthusiasm, energy, love, and great organizational and leadership skills as an aupair have been outstanding. We expect her to do great things in her life, and are just glad to have been a part of her journey. Our children fully expect to be her "au pair" in the future!