Alleluia! Our au pair has arrived.

A couple of months ago, I wrote a blog post about how I was struggling to accept the fact that as a lupite mother of two in diapers, I was going to need help during the day. I wish it weren't true - I wish I could be an energizer bunny who needed no sleep in order to function normally or prevent illness, but that's simply not the case. I need my rest, I need to ward off fatigue, and I need to stay healthy in order to be the best mom for my kids. And Johnny and I agreed that the best way to do that was to hire full-time help.

In looking at our options, we decided the best option for our family was to hire an au pair. Of course, I worried about what it would be like to have someone living in our house for a year, or how it would affect my relationship with my kids, but I knew that deep down, I needed to get over those concerns and acknowledge that hiring live-in help was going to enable me to be the kind of mom I want to be. Bottom line - it would be for the best.


Well, I'm happy to say that "the best" is an understatement! From the moment our Ecuadorian au pair, Paola, walked in the door a week and a half ago, I knew we'd made the right decision. She's just as wonderful as she was in her Skype interviews, and the fact that Deirdre enjoys cozying up to her after dinner just makes my heart melt. It's been just a week, and we're already getting into a groove that is destined for success.

Deirdre and I get to have our special time together while Paola hangs with Bernie, and Bernadette and I get our together time while Deirdre and Paola have some fun. And I get to rest when I need to - which has just been a lifesaver. To date, I am still symptom-free - a feat I didn't think was possible. I know the race isn't over, but it's always nice to get off to a good, solid start.


So thanks to my friends and family for encouraging me to go this full-time help route - and as the months progress, I'll be sure to keep you updated on the latest and greatest in the Gorman household. But before I go - I need to get a few things in writing. As we kick off this year with our au pair, I, Sara Gorman, vow to do the following:

1) Ask Paola for help when I need it, rather than trying to impress her with some sort of supermom/can-do-it-all routine.

2) Learn to speak Spanish. No ifs, ands or buts...

3) Acknowledge that help is help...and even if Johnny and/or Paola do things a little differently than I would, they're still doing them so that I don't have to.

4) Promise not to get jealous if (or should I say when) Deirdre asks Paola to put her to bed, rather than Mommy.

There you have it - let the year begin!!

Comments

Great post--it's hard to know how to take care of yourself when you have a child with Lupus.

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