Astrid Vium Madsen (Denmark)

Our family would be delighted to volunteer Astrid for au pair of the month.

Astrid is our first au pair. We hoped that an au pair would help us cope, but Astrid has done far more than that for us. She has transformed the way our family works. Michael and I both work in demanding jobs which require all sorts of flexibility in hours. Astrid has held the home base together this year, looking after our four sons (yes - FOUR sons!) with the right balance of structure and kindness. Our boys, aged 4, 6, 10 and 12 have enjoyed having an older sister for the first time.

From day one, Astrid has taken delight in the boys. She comes to watch soccer games on her days off, she bakes Danish treats for us - if you had been at our house this Christmas you would see Scandinavian touches everywhere from the folded Christmas stars to the delicious brunkager biscuits to the risalamande to the most amazing marzipan bread. Most importantly she has taught us the importance of hygge - a Danish concept of being "cosy" at home with your family. In the rush of Auckland life this is something we need to prioritise - and Astrid has helped us do that.

We've learned a lot about Denmark in our very own year of living Danishly. When Astrid's parents came to visit in February there were tears all around as we spent a little time together. I know that when Astrid goes home in July after 12 months with our crazy loud family, we will be sad, but also thankful to have met each other, and we know that we have built relationships that will live far beyond this one year.

Astrid - you are awesome. You have helped us more than you know. Thank you.

- The O'Brien family