The Van Slooten family was great. They made me feel very welcome to be in their home. However, immediately, I knew that taking care of five children would be a huge responsibility. I had to focus on every little detail with the children. I had to be patient and had to communicate with each of them because each of the children had a world of needs, not to mention their own way of thinking, feeling, and different ways to do everything. My children are all adopted and had traumatic separation from their biological parents. They needed a lot of love, and I had a lot of love to give, so we made a great match. One of my little ones was always crying. She needed to have someone carrying her all the time (I developed strong arms because of her), but I tried to encourage her to play with her brother of the same age so she could learn to be more independent. I was there for her every time we failed, but now she is always jumping and running around the house. She is three years old, and she’s going to school. She is so much happier and smiles all of the time. In order to make a big difference in life, we must take little steps everyday, and always remain positive. My children proved that to me everyday.

One of the biggest challenges in my family was my six year old, an ADHD child. Every single day was a battle over every activity. I found myself many times at the end of the day with no more strength. Every day seemed harder than the last, and many times I felt like we were getting worse, but I would keep trying every day, because I know that every kid is wonderful inside. I knew he was fighting himself to be better every day, and he is. When my host mother found out that she needed surgery to remove a brain tumor, we all knew that she was going to be out for a while.

We knew that we had to be there for her. During this time, my six year old changed dramatically. He would come home from school everyday running to give me a hug. All those hugs made every hard memory and feeling go away. Now, he is great and he is helpful. We talk and try to figure out every issue. He will always be fighting with himself to be better, and he does better everyday. I feel that I’m a little part of this success, because I never have stopped trying with him.

While I have been with the Van Slootens, I have had the opportunity to study English at Kennesaw State University. I figured out a way to study TESOL (to be an English teacher) with other Georgia teachers. At school, I made wonderful friends. I even had the opportunity to teach a Spanish class to a group of teachers that work with Hispanic students. The certification and recommendations I earned are a great help now that I'm at home.

I also had the opportunity to travel with my family. I have seen so many wonderful places that have changed my vision of beauty and peace. I couldn’t ask for more. I had plenty of everything. I’m a different person now, more mature, more responsible, more loved, happier and better prepared for my life. I can close my eyes and see the smiles and the great moments of each of my kids, the moments with my friends, the memories of the places I’ve seen. I can feel the warm awareness that my “au pair” experience couldn’t have been better. Day to day we became more united as a family. I don’t know when or how, but I know that I have become an important part of the family. I’m more than a babysitter, I’m an “au pair,” their au pair, their Paola (my little ones call me “my Paola”).