We had excellent experiences with our Grannies so far, and Andrea (picture) is also planning to come back for the fall. It was very gratifying to me to hear that she felt so comfortable to be her true, authentic self, and we grew to love her like family!

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Having a Granny Aupair has been such a blessing in so many ways. When I was first looking for an Aupair and then found Granny Aupair, I was thinking mainly about our 16 month old and how he gets so frustrated when I can't take him outside just when I'm starting dinner. Well, he has loved having his Oma take him for walks and he has made huge developmental progress thanks to the many playgroup visits they have made, but a huge benefit has also been for me, just to have someone HERE. For me. As soon as she arrived I relaxed. It's like I've been missing having a Granny around since I was a little kid. It helps that she's caring but not pushy, she accepts me and the family. But I also think a family of two adults is just too small to feel safe. It's natural to have a wise older person around who is a bit more relaxed and available to fill in and smooth things over! This has really helped me heal and I look forward to the other Grannies who are planning to come over the year. It's like an infusion of family wisdom and caring.

She (our Granny Aupair) is absolutely wonderful. She has become a part of our family, and we appreciate her help so much. Her being with us has been peaceful transition, and from what I can tell, I think she is enjoying her stay with us as well. We hope to keep in touch with her long term.

Dear N. and E.,

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your family's life for 3 months.
I have observed and experienced a lot and we have also talked about some things that are easier to do or where changes are needed.
I had a wonderful time here, which I would not want to miss in my life.

I was very lucky to have found you as a family. We understood each other very well in German (unfortunately not in English).

Thank you for the many excursions to Washington and the surrounding area. I would never have been able to explore the city myself. It was a very beautiful spring that I was able to experience in Maryland.

I remember E. his birthday round, also my birthday was beautiful, again many thanks that my daughter with her 2 girls were allowed to come. Also for your understanding that I was allowed to be with my daughter for 1 week at Easter.

The beautiful cherry blossom will stay in my memory forever, as will the fun we had on the safari trip to Nova Wildpark. We explored your forest and did some spring cleaning together. Your neighbour was delighted with the flower decoration in the tree stump. Our Sunday walk along the Potomac River to the gigantic waterfalls was also enjoyed by everyone after initial discussions.

I spent wonderful hours with friends of yours and never felt like an outsider, I belonged to the family as I wished. The Sunday excursion to the temple in the neighbourhood was very interesting and tasty, only the time for yoga is a bit too early. Unfortunately I didn't manage to do it at that time. Pity....
I still remember Yayoi Kusama and her art, Dr. Seuss, the view from the Washington Monument and the discovery of one of the 10 largest churches in the world and the visit to the Mormon temple. There is so much more to tell, I enjoyed every trip and am very grateful that I experienced so much in these 3 months.

I kept fit with S. on her midday walk. We have discovered some animals on the way and know the sounds of the aeroplane or the birds in the sky. S. has learned to walk and run during this time. She knows finger games, shows you how big and strong she gets when she eats well and how good it tastes. Knows the animals and other objects in her books.  Responds when asked to do something in German and Spanish. She likes to play in the fresh air and enjoys exploring her neighbourhood and everything that crawls around on the ground. She likes to listen to music from her big brother and her little bottom wiggles along. Goldilocks has a strong character and a strong voice. She also needs this to be able to assert herself with her brother.

And L. and I, that's a chapter in itself....we both have a strong will, but unfortunately not in the same direction. Nevertheless, I have grown fond of him in his own way. But it was Junior with his constant diets that made me smile again and again. Even in old age, a woman learns something new.... But he was not at a loss for excuses when he said he was wearing L.'s swimming trunks because they didn't close.

Dear N., don't let your men get you down, take care of yourself. Thank you for everything, you were a great cook, guide and chauffeur. But I also learned to love and appreciate you as a friend. It was a wonderful time in your "crazy" and sweet family.

I hope you keep me in good memory and I could support you a little.
I look forward to seeing you again...somewhere...sometime...somehow.

Sincerely

Your Granny Andrea
from Germany

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