Jana Wolf (Germany) - June 2017
Jana.
Our first Au Pair. Why did we wait so long? Since you have
come into our life, things are calmer, more under control and less
frantic. We still have a busy household but things don't seem
so overwhelming anymore. People ask me if it's hard having
someone living in our house - but it's truly not. It has only been
four months but it feels as if you have been a part of our family
forever. We all adore you and I already know you will be part
of our lives beyond this year.
Over the past month, I have had four different mums tell me on
different occasions how wonderful you are with our girls. One
conversation started with "xxx and I were talking about Jana
tonight…" You have a special relationship with the children built
on mutual love and respect and you genuinely engage with each of
them, care about them, their thoughts and their feelings. I
have been told that while many nannies and au pairs sit and watch
the pre-schoolers play in the playground and catch up with their
friends before 3pm you actively play with Charlotte and then the
other children run out of their classrooms at the end of the day
and scream "Jaaaannnnnaaa" with their arms open wide for a
cuddle.
Discipline is hard to install - particularly when you want
children to like you! But you have managed to pull this off.
I love how the girls now listen to you and change their behaviour
on the warning of "Do you want to go to your room?" but they don't
fear you. Our nine-year-old explains this as "Jana is strict, but
good strict". Even they understand the difference!
10 things we love about you:
- You're caring - we leave for work each morning knowing, that
even if the children are screaming they'll be okay because as the
garage door closes … I see you giving them a hug and making it
okay.
- You're thoughtful - You actively engage with each child
differently and think about their best interests - even when you're
not on work time you'll sit down and read them a story and play
with them.
- You're smart - You're actively encouraging and helping to teach
our 3-year-old literacy skills and recognise what she needs to
continue to develop.
- You're strong - you are strict with our girls when its needed -
and they listen to you - and you remind me to be stronger and not
give in.
- You're flexible & reliable - there have been times when at
the last minute you changed your plans so you could look after
Charlotte and I could go to work - all with a smile on your
face.
- You have perspective - It's great that you are spending so much
time hanging out, travelling and seeing New Zealand with your
friends - such a great work life balance.
- You're honest - I'm glad you tell us what you're thinking -
that you need space and time out with your friends and don't want
additional hours.
- You're a great cook - I never knew I'd enjoy vegetarian food so
much - thank you for baking me a yummy birthday cake
- You ask questions - Remember how you asked how we make the beds
here in New Zealand? Sometimes it's those small things that add up
to make a huge problem. But not if we talk about them! And guess
what, Alexis now loves how her bed is made the German way!
- Your smile - I'm not sure how you do it but you're always super
happy and smiley every morning.
I could fill pages with everything that is great about you Jana.
We feel so privileged to have you in our lives and we hope you feel
a valued member of our family. You are a great role model for
our children and all Au Pairs and we'd love you to be recognised
for all the fantastic work you do.
The Beattie Family