When parents, Laura and Dan Johnson, decided an au pair might be the right childcare solution for their family of five in the summer of 2024, they immediately got to work perusing Au Pair USA’s database of au pairs. They wondered who would be the best fit to care for their three children, Charlie (11), Peter (10), and Anna (5). That’s when Laura Johnson spotted Laura Garcia. And the rest is history.
After noticing the inevitable, that they shared the same first name, other aspects of Garcia’s profile started popping out to Host Mom Johnson. She was compelled by her profile description. She loved seeing the photos of Laura with her family and traveling to other places. “It gave me the impression she was close with her own family and had traveled and been away from home before”, says Johnson.
The interview process that followed was a series of one on one calls between the Lauras and a family video call as well, where Johnson introduced Garcia to the rest of the family. Johnson continued to be impressed with Garcia as they got to know each other. She learned Laura was getting her Masters degree and that she was very hardworking. She also could tell Laura was good with kids, especially due to her experience with her younger sister who is nine years Laura’s junior.
From Garcia’s perspective, she also knew this host family was the right fit. Despite her interviewing with five other families, Garcia could tell this was it for her from the first time they spoke. She even told her parents that if this host family didn’t end up being her host family, she would consider not joining the au pair program.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case! Johnson extended a match offer to Garcia at the end of August and just six weeks later, she was making her way from Madrid to New York. Garcia was understandably nervous to travel so far alone and meet a family she’d only gotten to know virtually, but from the moment she arrived, all those nerves disappeared. “I felt like a family member from the beginning”, says Garcia. “My arrival couldn’t have gone better.”
“We were so excited for her to be here. It was important for us to make her feel comfortable”, says Host Mom Laura Johnson, who printed out pictures of Garcia and her family for her room in hopes of creating a personalized space for her before she arrived.
The first few nights after Garcia’s arrival, the family played a card game during dinner that initiated questions so they could get to know each other better. It was important for her host family to get to know their au pair on a personal level. Additionally, Johnson says, “We wanted to put our best foot forward, but also show her the real side of things. Sometimes things go smoothly and sometimes not.” Despite tantrums and cranky moods that sometimes occur within all families, Johnson could tell Garcia wanted to do a good job from the getgo. She also credits the Au Pair USA Handbook as a useful resource to prepare for their first au pair’s arrival and transition into the home. “We’re still learning together and understand things will continue to evolve”, says Johnson.
Since Garcia’s October arrival, this family and au pair have had multiple cultural exchange opportunities to experience the au pair program from all aspects. Garcia dressed up as Wonder Woman and handed candy out to trick-or-treaters this year for the first time with her youngest host child, Anna, on Halloween. The family has included their au pair in all their holidays and traditions from Thanksgiving to ice skating in Rockefeller Center. Even their extended family considers Garcia a part of the family.
With more than half a year left to go in Garcia’s au pair program, she and her host family are excited for what’s to come! Garcia’s family will visit from Spain in April, and she can’t wait to show them around New York. Her host family is eager to meet them in person and get to know them in real life, not just over video calls. Johnson is looking forward to Garcia experiencing summer in New York, the family’s favorite season.
Finding the right au pair and host family can create such a special experience during the au pair year and beyond. “Laura has been such a great partner for us and for me”, says Johnson. In just a few months, this family and au pair have found ways to work, live, and experience each other’s cultures in the best possible way. Garcia says, “Everyday is a good day for me here.” We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for this incredible family and au pair!
If you’re ready to begin your au pair experience, apply today! Au Pair USA has been successfully placing au pairs from all over the world with carefully screened American host families for over 35 years. We look forward to welcoming you to the U.S. soon!
*For privacy purposes, both au pair and host family last names have been changed.
