CELINE

How lovely that you're reading this! I'm Charlotte, a single mother of 38, living with my two daughters in Oud-Zuid, one of Amsterdam's loveliest and safest neighbourhoods — full of international families and au pairs, so you'd feel at home and make friends quickly. My youngest, Pip, is five months old; my eldest, Romy, is two and a half: two cheerful, cuddly girls who love books, the playground and our garden. We also have the gentlest, softest dog — truly nothing to be nervous about. I've travelled and lived all over the world — Bali, Thailand, Dubai, New York — and I was once an au pair myself, in Egypt and Belgium. So I know just how brave it is to step into a new family and country, and I'll do everything I can to help you feel welcome and safe. You wouldn't be doing it alone: I work from home, so I'm almost always around — this is not a job where you're on your own with the children all day. You'll have your own private room with a bathroom, plenty of free time, and weekends generally off (a maximum of 30 hours a week). Your days would include helping with the girls in the morning, a little light tidying, and cooking dinner a few evenings a week — we'd love to try your favourite dishes too! I'm hoping to find someone kind, joyful and caring, who loves being with children. Good English is necessary but please don't worry if you're a little shy; we'll help you settle in at your own pace. It would be such a joy to welcome you into our home and show you a little piece of the Netherlands. I can't wait to meet you!