Wilma Vigren (Sweden)

We interviewed Wilma in August last year in a state of desperation as our au pair at the time had to go home unexpectedly. And looking back on it we were so incredibly lucky, within a matter of weeks she was in NZ, and I had a great feeling about her right from the start.    

From the first day when she was making a joke about finding "Mr Fart" in Noah's bedroom, she has won over the hearts of my two boys. Whenever I am home and she is looking after the kids I can't get over how our house just seems to be filled with the sound of laughter and giggles as they play all their silly games together.  The other night I came home to Noah saying to Wilma, "Let's turn the lights off and have a grandma party" I had no idea what they were talking about but Noah proudly told me this is where they all pull their PJ pants up high on their waist and walk around like a crazy old person. 

There are many things I value about Wilma, she always seems to be so relaxed with the boys, and has a very natural and easy going relationship with them. I often come home from work, tired and flustered, and she is the total opposite.  I am just glad she can be the calm influence on them to balance me out sometimes. 

Another thing I really value about Wilma is her positive attitude. I look through her comments in our communication book and she nearly always rates her days at 5 stars! Which I think is a testament to the positive person she is, and the fact that she makes the most of each and every day with our little boys.  And WOW when you read the comments about their day it is always filled with wonderful experiences she has had with our boys.  Every single day is packed, and I have no idea how she has the energy for it all, and how she keeps coming up with new and exciting activities they can do together.  As an example I have a look through the book and here is one comment from one day last month"Full on and a really nice day! We went to the museum in the city with Amelie and her two host children Angus and Annabelle.  The boys had a really good time running around with them and looking at everything.  We had lunch together and a fluffy in the end.  Angus wanted us to come to their house so maybe we will do that sometime soon.  Painting, making puzzles and playing games in the afternoon". And that is just one day, every other day is the same level of variety and excitement.  I can't say how much I appreciate Wilma for the effort she puts into making their days fun, and it is clear to me that she has fun too which is so important. 

We can always depend on Wilma to help out if we have an expected commitment come up.  Recently our eldest Noah broke his arm while at school.  I had to ask Wilma to look after Jacob while I took Noah to the hospital, and she did it without even thinking about it.  And as the hours ticked by into the evening, I know that she cancelled all of her plans so she could be there for Jacob and we were so incredibly grateful.  But it reflects the type of person she is - someone we can always rely on, that puts our kids first when needed.

Needless to say I am dreading the day when she will leave us.  But lucky for us we get to keep her for a little longer yet!  I would just love it she could win au pair of the month, as she really deserves to be recognized for the effortless job she does looking after our boys with such kindness and love.  

- The Sutherland family