“I Would Claim Her As My Own in a Heartbeat”

Genesis Brigette (affectionately known as Bri to our family) has been an absolute answer to prayer and huge blessing to our family. After our first interview, I knew, without a doubt, that Bri was the Au Pair for us – I called my husband and told him that I’d found the perfect girl to help with our childcare needs. Now it was just going to be a matter of making sure she was as excited about the match as I was. During our second interview, the whole family had the opportunity to meet Bri and everyone agreed that she seemed like a good fit. Unbeknownst to us, Bri had only agreed to the interviews as practice – our family has five kids and that seemed overwhelming to her – but tells us that she, too, felt an instant connection. Six weeks and dozens of video calls later, Bri joined our family, and now we can’t imagine how we survived without her (or what we will do when she returns home, for that matter).

Bri loves on my children without reserve, which is what any mother would wish for when entrusting the care of her children to anyone. She gives her full attention to the kids when she is working and is not distracted by her phone or inhibited by hesitation to play like a child. Bri is creative, imaginative, and resourceful. She is firm, but gentle when the children are misbehaving. Bri is alert to their safety, patient with their antics, and attentive to their needs.

In return, my children love her – my youngest calls her, “My Bri!” Bri recently went on a two-week vacation and my children frequently asked when she would return to us. This special
relationship between my children and Bri allows me to concentrate on my work without guilt
because I know, without a doubt, that my children are in good hands.

Bri is hardworking and self-motivated; she never shies away from a task, even if it’s gross or challenging. Once Bri learned the housekeeping tasks that would be required of her, she began completing them without needing to be asked. But, Bri goes beyond those tasks that are asked of her and helps me with other tasks as if she is part of our family. For example, she always helps us clean up after meals even if she’s not “working” at mealtime. She offers to help me at bedtime when my husband is out of town, even though she has been given the rest of the day off. Bri is also flexible and adjusts to our chaotic schedules without ever complaining.

Going even further, Bri encourages my husband and I to go out on dates and has even given us nights off, even though that means she has all five children on her own.

Bri has become an integral part of our family; I find myself thinking of us as a family of eight now, instead of seven. We have thoroughly enjoyed including Bri in several of our family outings and vacations. Whenever she is not with us, it feels like someone is missing. I love Bri, and I would claim her as my own in a heartbeat. She is one of the sweetest, most selfless people I have ever met. We are blessed that she chose to come live with us, and I am already dreading the day she has to leave. Bri is definitely the best Au Pair ever and will be irreplaceable.