My Italian Au Pair Experience

I'll never forget the distinct feeling of adventure that washed over my body that summer's day.

There I sat in Stanstead airport wondering what on earth I was doing, where I was going to, who I would be living with and what kind of journey lay ahead.

I was experiencing a bizarre yet poetically pure mix of fear and excitement. You see I believe when you're so immensely excited about something yet equally petrified then VOILA, you my friend are doing something of true value.

So I say to you, do it just like I did.

I arrived to Porto Cervo in Sardinia, my new Italian family were sailing around the islands in their yacht so I had a few days to myself with the housekeeper to relax. I'll never forget that feeling of utter peacefulness: the tranquil sunsets, the early morning runs and that poignant final light at dusk lingering at the shadow's edge.

Nervous, but chatty I met the family. We bonded and it felt good. I gave the kids a bag of English sweets each which they took to very kindly. Giacamo the oldest (and only boy) led the pack at age 13, followed by the feisty Caterina age 11 and finally, but certainly not least Margherita, the little 5 year old dare devil.

For the months that followed I spent my time au pairing in the follow places:

- Porto Cervo, Sardinia
- Milan
- Aeolian Islands
- Taormina, Ragusa & Siracusa, Sicily
- St Moritz, Switzerland
- Lake Como

 It was a tantalizing, bizarre yet life changing experience. I met some wonderful girls Erica and Raphaela, whom I had the absolute joy to au pair alongside. Many a memory was made that I'll forever cherish and will never forget.

Besides the glamour of staying in houses with lifts, flying in a private plane and sailing on a huge yacht, there came the difficult work. The days where the kids screamed, threatened me, wailed from an Italian place of emotion no other nationality will ever comprehend and not forgetting the sheer frustration that comes with dealing with kids.

Despite those bad days, I always pushed forward. I folded dirty towels. Their hair? I helped wash it. Outfits? I helped pick them. The toys that lay strewn across the room like Hansel's trail of crumbs required my cleaning, and only mine.

However, I smile as I look back on so much. I laugh now at the thought of Margherita vehemently declaring she had to fill her parents bath with ice because she WANTED TO! (said in a passionate Milanese accent).

My heart warms at the days spent with Erica talking about our interests, dreams and our backgrounds as we navigated the crazy journey together. A few things will hold a place in my mind and heart forever, let me share them with you:

1. Money will never buy you happiness. It's a tool, but you yield that tool at your own peril.

2. Life is short. We learn in the crazy moments when we truly and freely embrace and live life.

3. I Skyped the family and two weeks later flew off to Sardinia. It was bizarre but my gut told me GO! Listen to your gut, and then act on it. Always. 

4. Open your eyes. Slowly cruising past the island of Stromboli, I watched a volcano erupt. The skies were pitch black yet fiery flames engulfed the heavens. The memory alone sends shivers down my spine.

That same night I lay outside staring at the canvas of stars in awe of the sheer multitude that twinkled to greet me, as if to say 'didn't you know we were here?'.

The thing was, I didn't.

We get so caught up in the mundane, the superficial and the irrelevant that we forget the glory and beauty of this world around us.

If you read this and your heart screams yes, yes me. I want to explore it, I want to feel it and I want to truly see this world then please listen to that voice and say yes!

5. Be soft, be strong and be thankful. Francesca (the mother) was the head of the house. I watched her oh so peacefully rock a sobbing Margherita to sleep, firmly discipline a fiercely bold Caterina and softly encourage Alessandro (her husband) in moments I knew he needed her the most.

We passed the Sicilian coastline as the sun glimmered on the windscreen. Fields of flowers gently swayed in the breeze to the quiet breathing of children fast asleep in the backseat. It was then that I noticed a gentle tear trickle down Francesca's face. I asked her if she was okay and so she turned round and simply replied in truth. I'll never forget her honesty: how she spoke so candidly of her mother's tragic fight with cancer, of how her sister's brought her to Sicily as a dying wish and how the yellow flowers subtly dancing in the breeze were her mother's favourite.

My heart broke, I write this feeling teary yet filled with a sentimental joy. I'll forever treasure the Italian ability to express emotion with boldness. Be soft, the world is full of too much harshness. It is brimming with hardened hearts and selfish attitudes. Be strong, because you can simultaneously be soft and strong: it is an utter delight to behold. Finally, be thankful. Embrace the emotions, say how you feel without shame or remorse and be grateful of what has been given to you.

As the old Italian proverb says: "At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box."

Make the most of what you've got, feel and want. Pursue it, dream it, believe in it, plan for it and do it.

If you have any questions or genuinely would be interested in au pairing then by all means please message me if I can help in any way :)

Ps. A fun side note, I was partly inspired to take the plunge and book this trip because of the sheer inspiring words of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. If you want to pick up the book here, please do but be warned: it might change you!