Paul from Winchester
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Gemma Perez provided complete, reliable and confidence-inspiring overnight and respite care for our premature triplets (born in March 2012) at an agreed rate of usually one night a week for four months. During that time, we felt that we benefited in gaining knowledge about our babies from our direct experiences and Gemma's guidance and insight in almost equal measure. We later discovered that Gemma not only has lots of experience, but also knowledge and training from the acclaimed Norland College.
Certainly it was wonderful to be able to consult Gemma (eg in relation to their stage of development) on the nights or at other times and feel that all important sense of confirmation and confidence that makes such a difference, especially in the more uncertain early days and nights. We quickly got the sense that Gemma is dedicated to caring for children and was genuinely interested in our babies and their development. This meant so much and added to the sense that we were working as part of a team.
We found Gemma to be not only very approachable but also infectiously happy, smiling and positive. This was often a welcome pick-me-up after a long day! Gemma became a part of the family for the time she spent with us and blended into our home context seamlessly.
When morning came around and we had had a good nights sleep, it was always a shame to see Gemma go and know that the calm would soon be broken. Not only had she managed the little ones (we rarely heard crying or only for short bursts - they always did this in the early days when having their nappy changed), but they were presented to us with new baby groes, nappies, tidied beds, all bottles sterilised and notes about their night up to date. Even when we had help during the day, we were rarely in such a state of calm and efficient organisation! Which is especially significant when one considers that we have three babies with very different personalities requiring attention! We're still not sure how Gemma managed to keep all three satisfied, which we could see when we came down in the morning, they clearly were.
Its difficult to say what we gained most from working with Gemma. Certainly the benefit of a good nights sleep cannot be underestimated, as all parents are aware. Yet the fact that the package Gemma provided also included practical advice, moral support and genuine care and support for us (sometimes arriving an hour or two early by arrangement so that we could relax) made all the difference and resulted in us wanting to provide a reference so that we can help introduce other parents to her wonderful care, help and support.
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