Catherine

FEATURED
35years
Catherine
Catherine
Catherine
Catherine
Catherine

About me:

35 year old Female from Boston, United States
My husband and I hoped to one day pass on our love of the French language and culture to our two young sons and when the time came to seek out childcare, the visamate connection program offered the perfect opportunity. We presently host two international friends; one from Senegal and and the other from India.

Our appeal was the notion of someone who can give an extra measure of personal attention and care and I think that’s certainly been true. We also wanted someone who could help the children learn a foreign language. Our son Nicholas is three and he’s totally bilingual. He’s as fluent in French as he is in English. He’s able to turn to one of our guests and speak to them in French and then immediately turn around and say something to a person with whom he usually speaks English with no problem.

Getting to know their 'international sisters' has also made our two sons more interested in the world around them. There’s definitely a real sense of curiosity that the children have about this person who speaks another language and makes them special foods. There’s also the personal relationship and the warmth and there’s the curiosity about the larger role.

We have also worked to introduce our international friends to our household roles and traditions as well as American culture at large. We take them on vacation with us so they get to see other parts of the country and help us while we’re on vacation so that’s been good for them in terms of their cultural education and also good for us.

Our two hosted friends see different habits and different ways of interacting with children – some of them subtle and some of them not so subtle. We try to give them a good explanation for why we have decided to do things. They don’t always agree but it’s a good conversation.

We have worked hard to help our two global friends get settled into the foreign environment. The role of host mom and host dad is significant. I think this program is most successful with families who really want personal, energetic, loving childcare. But also are willing to provide support to the hosted nationalities throughout the course of the year. It works best when there are both of those pieces of the puzzle together.

We’ve continued to nurture our relationships with the hosted friends even after they have left. The ability to stay in touch has helped us a lot and also our three-year-old. Even with our first and second hosted visitors from Brazil and Paris when he was very, very young, we could Skype or Google Meet and we could call and look at pictures. I sort of feel like we have nieces and nephews now spread out throughout the globe.

Happy to invite and host :)

Cate & Bill
0 reviews
EthnicityCaucasian
Hair colorBlonde
Hair lengthLong
BuildRegular
SmokerNo
EducationSome College
SportsGolf, Ice Hockey, Tennis
HobbiesHiking, Yoga, Baking
Zodiac signGemini
OccupationPhotography

Languages spoken:

English:Fluent
French:Conversational
Spanish:Minimal

Contact info:

City:Boston
Country:United States
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