Emeline's Au Pair Stories
As the owner of the agency, I felt that after everything we’ve experienced as a family with our own Au Pairs, it was time to start sharing some of those moments with you.
Honestly, I could probably write a book about it! We’ve made so many wonderful memories with each of our Au Pairs over the years. We got to know them deeply—and they got to know us just as well.
During the year they stayed with us, we watched them grow so much as individuals, and in that time, they truly became part of our family. We grew so close that we will be their second family forever.
Re-United in Argentina
Dec 2024
In December 2024 we went to Argentina. This was mainly also to visit Massimo who went to Buenos Aires to live there for 3 months, but as per our written agreement in 2014 Romi would come to Netherlands after 5 years and we would go to Argentina after 10 years and so we did. It was a really emotional reunion and we had the greatest time together. Paola who actually lives in Brazil was visiting Buenos Aires for the holidays and so we had such a great time together.
Zoë van Heerik, SA
jan-sept'24
When Zoë arrived, I was curious — she was the same age (actually a little younger!) than our eldest, Massimo. But it quickly became clear that she was incredibly bright, confident, and full of enthusiasm. From the very start, she was open and eager to connect with each of the boys, and she did so with genuine warmth.
Despite her young age, Zoë had a natural way of guiding the boys through their tasks — always with a balance of fun and effectiveness. Her structured and disciplined approach especially helped our youngest, Viggo, to really flourish. The other boys also learned a lot from her, including a glimpse into how the school system works in South Africa, which added such a valuable perspective.
During her time with us, we built a truly lovely bond. She even joined us on a holiday to the South of France — such a special week filled with great memories. Zoë is now studying Psychology, and we’re still in touch. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a bright future for her.
Karla Vernout, SA
jan-nov'23
Karla was also very young, but she was a bit naif and not so selfreliant. She hadn’t really learned how to manage things on her own and often seemed a bit overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities. I had the impression she’d been quite sheltered and perhaps a little pampered by her mother- as an only child from her mom side;-).
That said, Karla arrived with a lot of energy and genuine enthusiasm. She was sweet and eager to be part of our family, and she built a lovely connection with Viggo. She also really really enjoyed hanging out with the older boys and was always up for joining in.
Although I do think she learned a lot during her time with us, I often found myself stepping into a motherly role — more than I had anticipated or really wanted. Still, I hope the experience gave her valuable insights and tools for her future. I know I wasn’t always the most patient version of myself, but I truly tried to offer her something solid to grow from.
Karla began her study Nutrition, she had a lot of interest in that area, she’s doing really well in South Africa. She is very much in love. We keep in touch and I am sure she will find happiness in whatever path she chooses.
Re-United in South Africa
2022
In May 2022, we went on a family trip to South Africa and got to visit three of our old Au Pairs. It was so amazing—and really special—to see them again in their own country!
We met up with Izette, who’s now living in Hermanus with her husband and their little boy (the same age as Viggo!)—and they’ve got a baby on the way. We also met up and had dinner with Palesa, who had just moved back to Cape Town after living in Germany. She was with us when Viggo was still a baby. And we caught up with Jannette, who left us about a year ago and is now studying in Cape Town.
It was so lovely and special to see them in their own country and to be re-united again lovely moments, and great memories.
Janneke Botha, SA
apr-dec 2022
Janneke came to us after spending three months with another family, where the match, unfortunately, hadn’t worked out. She was feeling emotional and ready to return home, certain she wanted to leave the program. I invited her over to my home to talk through her options, and that evening she stayed for dinner… and never really left. From the very beginning, there was an instant connection — it just clicked.
Our time with her was incredibly special. Janneke is a beautifully creative, warm, emotional, and intelligent soul. Her free spirit occasionally led to a few little hiccups, but they were honestly part of her charm and often gave us something to laugh about.
We shared so many wonderful moments together. She brought so much joy and light into our home. Now, she’s teaching in Costa Rica — living her next adventure — and I have no doubt our paths will cross again.
Listening to the B-side of Leon Bridges/ Khruangbin will always bring back our memories. She’s that special soul in our lives
Jannette Brand, Namibië
2020-2021
Jannette — where do I even begin? She was originally meant to come earlier, but then COVID hit and everything changed. We stayed in touch throughout that uncertain time, and after about six months, once Paola could leave, Jannette finally arrived. Although the pandemic was still ongoing, it created a unique space for us to grow close — and we really did.
At first, I was a little concerned about her age — she seemed so young — but she completely proved me wrong. From the start, she owned it. Despite the strange circumstances, she handled everything with calm and confidence. The way she connected with Viggo was just beautiful — nurturing, present, and truly effective.
Jannette is such a special person: open, honest, kind, intelligent, and a lot of fun. She brought light into the house, and it was a joy to watch her grow during her time with us. She had initially hoped to study here, but when that turned out to be complicated, she decided to continue her studies in South Africa.
A few months later, we were reunited during our family trip to South Africa — such a wonderful full-circle moment. With Jannette, it always felt like I was a very close older friend — someone she could talk to, share her thoughts and doubts with. We laughed a lot, shared stories about life, love, her insecurities, Bumble dates, and her impressions of Dutch boys.
We have stayed in close contact and connected. She has been planning to come back to the Netherlands and I (we) would really love to see her again! She has a special place in our hearts.
Paola, Argentina
2019-2020
Paola arrived after we did not have the best experience. She was quiet, not super outgoing at first. She was one of those persons who slowly really grows on you.
She built the most amazing connection with Viggo and actually with all the boys separately in their own way. She built many friendships who became her best friends, still are. She took the time for the boys, to really understand their characters and what their interests were. She has this very comforting and relaxed, sweet aura that . She also travelled a lot, every weekend she was away, which made it a little bit more difficult for Arnaud and I to build a bond with her.
But Corona came and so we spend far more time together and this is where I really got to know Paola more and appreciate her even more. It was not easy for everyone but I also look back on a very special period with her. Paola had a whole program for Viggo starting with Yoga in the morning, doing the excersizes from school, crafting, baking with Vali. It was amazing. She just came to visit us again and it again felt so natural having her around. We will always have a special connection.
Sara Adsaura , Valencia Spain
2017-2018
With Sara it was a huge change for us culturally after Palesa’s year. Viggo grew a lot and started walking. She did a great job with him. We had a bit of difficulty to connect at first. The cultural difference was far more than you would expect. I had difficulties with her ways she was nononsense and not so fine . After the first months i also changed my expectations and left her a little bit doing the way she She had She had one best and the other boys
Palesa Mazula
For Palesa it was a bit of a difficult start with Viggo, as he was so used to Alua and he was such a stronged willed baby. Changing diapers and me leaving gave him a real tantrum. I tought her to be really firm when changing diapers and it worked. She was a party lover and we had conversations about 2 nights in the weekend coming home at 6 in the morning definitely also affects your mood and energy during the week. We openly discussed this and it was not easy and at first it was difficult cause Palesa also was quite introverted and reallt needed and wanted her privacy which was difficult for me being an open personallity, sharing and asking everything 😉 . We had a bit of a tough start but really grew together. Boys loved “Paisha”. She educated them well to behave well mannered. We had a nice musical connection, loved all her playlists, she had a great vintage fashion styled, loved how her style. She was well read and we could have really meaningfull discussions, so Arnaud an I also really loved her and build a great connection. She fell in love with Marcus and he would also come over and stay over. He would play football with the boys and also build a connection with us. It was so nice seeing her again in South Africa, I really hope to see her again soon and spend some time with her again.
Alua Azevedo , Brazil
2014-2015
Alua was like an angel.
She came into our lives during one of the most turbulent times — I was pregnant with Viggo, we were moving houses, and in the midst of renovations. At first, I was a bit concerned — her English wasn’t very strong, and I thought, “Oh oh, this might be difficult.” But any doubts quickly disappeared. Alua had such a loving personality. She truly cared — and still does. She was open, eager to learn, and a bit of a perfectionist in the best way.
I’ll never forget her second week with us. I came home and found her crying. I was alarmed and asked if something had happened with the kids. She said, “No, but I was too late for swimming. I didn’t manage the kids in time.” I was so relieved, and reassured her: “Don’t worry. It takes time to get used to them — and for them to get used to you.” It didn’t take long at all. She quickly built a unique bond with each of the boys.
She helped me so much — we were a real team. We had fun together, and she always enjoyed her free time too, meeting up with friends every weekend. When Viggo was born — the day after our big move — she was incredible. She was there through it all and felt like a true part of our family in that magical moment.
And then, life brought more surprises. During her year with us, Alua fell in love with a Dutchie — now her husband. They have two beautiful children and live in Heiloo. We just saw each other recently, and she said to me, “Em, I always wanted four kids, but omg… I don’t know how you did it, I feel 2 is already so hectic!” I told her, “If you want it, I know you can — and you’ll be the best mother .”
My eldest now asks me, “Alua really needs to teach me how to make her amazing salty pancakes.”
Our bond stays strong — always.
Lucia Barrios , Spain
2012-2013
Lucia came in a period in which we all were super busy. She was structured, bright and we had a good routine that worked for all of us. her goal was to improve her English and so she did finish her Toefl English in the end of her year
She brought a spark and a whole lot of enthusiasm and happiness, she had super good energy and that was exactly what we needed. She taught the boys to put their dishes in the dishwasher, hang their coats etc. Cuddled them crazy, had fun with them, played with them but also gave them good boundaries and manners. Since Romi still stayed in the Netherlands, Lucia and Romi also became friends.
We had an amazing time with her such a special creative ,warm-hearted person. She moved back to Spain with her Dutch boyfriend. But she always kept contact and visited us regularly. Lucia stayed with us a few days on a holiday a couple of years later in Tarifa when Viggo was born and we had an amazing memorable time. Lucia lives and works in Paris now , but aims to move back to Amsterdam, I am so excited to see her soon again!
Romina Macagno, Argentina
2011-2012
Romi’tje!Where do I even begin. She has been so special in our lives. ……
Izette Kreuger , South Africa
2010-2011
Izette came to us when Toni was just a baby.
She didn’t have experience with babies, but she absolutely loved them — and I told her, “That’s the most important thing.” From the beginning, she was young, enthusiastic, and so open — open to learning, and open to becoming part of our family.
She absolutely adored the boys and took such loving care of baby Toni. When her mom came over to visit, it was clear where Izette got her kind spirit and strong values from.
She came skiing with us — something she loved — and we had so much fun together. She brought a warm heart and joyful energy into our home, and we all felt it.
During her time with us, she met William — half Dutch, half South African. He visited often, quickly became part of our lives too, and had so much fun with the boys. Eventually, Izette returned to South Africa, married William, and now they have two beautiful children of their own.
We saw them again two years ago in South Africa — and it was such a joy to see them as a loving family themselves.
Rebeca Solares, Guatemala
2009-2010
Rebeca came to us when we had Massimo and Valentijn. She taught them the first words of Spanish and spanish songs. She taught me a great way make the kids help clear up by singing. She taught the boys to put their plates in the dishwasher. She was super patient and loving and she had good skils to educate. We had a really good bond.
Our Re- Match Stories
Over the years, with all the wonderful experiences we’ve had, there were of course a few mismatches too. Saying “mismatch” might sound harsh — but the truth is, it happens. Living with eachother is something else than having a nanny who comes and goes. It really has to CLICK. Of course as a Host and as an Au Pair you need to put energy and effort, because there are cultural differences to overcome. In 20 years of hosting au pairs, we’ve had about four experiences that didn’t quite work out as hoped.
Sometimes it’s about timing or life circumstances. Sometimes expectations simply don’t align. We’ve learned time and again how important it is to manage those expectations from the beginning. Communication, flexibility, and mutual give-and-take are key — but even then, things don’t always click. After each re-match, I would always feel a bit insecure and reflect on what we could’ve done differently. That self-reflection feels really important to me, because every experience brings something to learn.
Our very first re-match happened during an emotionally heavy period in our lives. We were young, overwhelmed, and probably not as open or attentive as we should have been. She, in turn, couldn’t really open up to us — and looking back, we were all just doing our best under difficult circumstances.
We also once hosted someone who, in hindsight, joined for the wrong reasons. That experience didn’t feel genuine or balanced, and the connection never really took off.
Another time, we matched with a very young girl from South Africa — and since we’d had such a positive experience with Jannette, who was also young, we thought it would be fine. But this au pair needed constant attention and was very used to being the center of it all. While I always give a lot of support, especially in the beginning, it became clear that I had no time left for my own kids. After just a month, she decided to return to South Africa. I felt guilty and sad — but it simply wasn’t flowing.
In response, I matched quickly with an older au pair — the only one we’ve had who had au paired before. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out either. She didn’t want to do certain tasks, like ironing, which I respected and worked around. She also felt the boys weren’t doing enough — a fair observation, which we discussed openly. But still, she wasn’t happy. I tried to build a bond, asked about her weekends, tried to connect, but she saw it as a job and preferred to keep her private life to herself. And that’s where it ended — a mutual sense of misalignment.
Even from these re-matches, we’ve learned so much. If anything, they reminded us that every au pair is different, and even if you think you “know how it works,” each situation brings new dynamics. As hosts, we also need to stay flexible and remember that for many au pairs, this is their first time abroad — a huge change, full of new people, expectations, and responsibilities.
So my advice? Keep being patient, stay open, and give attention. Even when it’s hard. Because that’s what really makes the difference — for them, and for you.
