A Great Exchange: Mableton Family Enjoys Benefits of Au Pairs

Angela and Mike Santone, of Mableton, have opened their home and family to two au pairs in the last four years, and they said the cultural exchange is enriching their family and their lives.

Both Angela and Mike work in corporate America.  They have two lively boys, Joseph and Andrew, and like any working parents, they need dependable childcare.   

A few years ago, they realized that, while they loved their nanny, they needed more flexibility. Neither of their jobs guaranteed a 9-to-5 schedule.   

“If I had an early meeting pop up," Angela said, “I needed to have the kids taken care of.”

The couple also found that they desired weekend date nights or the ability to go to a social function.

During high school, Angela’s family hosted exchange students, and she remembers that experience fondly.  “Having someone doing a cultural exchange in your home creates an awareness of the world.  I realized I wanted that for my boys.”

The family was referred to Cultural Care Au Pair by friends.  They are currently hosting their second au pair and have been with Cultural Care for four years.

Their current au pair, Luisa Lopez, quickly became a part of their family.  The Santones chose Lucia from a pool of thousands of carefully screened au pairs from more than 21 countries.  

When asked what drew them to her, Angela said, “We wanted someone who was close to their own family.  If she had a good relationship them,  she would  probably be close to her host family.”  She also said, “Luisa was already in college, with ambition and work ethic that she would bring to our home.” 

In addition, Luisa spoke great English (as well as Spanish that has only strengthened her children’s Spanish speaking skills) and drove, taking some of the burden of the ever-increasing chauffeuring one does with two active children. 

Angela and Mike tout the benefits of having live-in childcare, like the affordability of 45 hours a week of childcare (weekends too), the flexibility to choose those hours themselves, like having someone to cook for and clean up after the kids.

Angela said the best part of having Luisa is the cultural exchange. “These au pairs come to the United States with a limited view of our country.  It is wonderful that, in exchange for fantastic childcare, we get to open her eyes to a whole new world, to share life with her, to share America with her. ”

And, as Angela’s eyes were opened as a child due to cultural exchange, her boys' eyes are, too.  

“I loved that during the World Cup, my boys wanted to know about Germany (where their former au pair lives) and Colombia (Luisa’s home country.) They know where these places are. They hear other languages throughout the day. They realize how big the world really is,” Angela said.

Angela and Mike look at their roles as host parents as a way to serve. They invest their time, energy and resources into making sure that their au pairs remember America fondly in 20 years and that the au pairs tell their children about their great experience in the U.S. 

The Santones have also developed fond memories as they share their lives with the au pairs. They watch as Luisa curls up on the sofa with their boys. They see her sincerely protect, guide and love their sons.  They leave for work each day knowing that someone wonderful is living in their home, checking homework, fixing a snack.

They know that no matter what their busy careers demand that day, their children are well cared for and immensely loved.

About the author:

Keri Ninness is a local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair in Smyrna. She loves connecting Georgia host families with au pairs from around the world, helping families find flexible and affordable childcare. Keri welcomes your questions about the au pair program and can be reached at 404-210-7351 or kerilyn.ninness@lcc.culturalcare.com. For more information, please visit http://kninness.aupairnews.com/.

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange since 1989. A division of EF Education and a U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. with an extensive network of international recruitment, screening, and orientation offices worldwide. For more information on au pairs as a flexible and affordable childcare option, visit Cultural Care Au Pair online at www.culturalcare.com.