Come end of this year, my domestic helper will be returning home after a 4-year stint with us. I don’t say much about her here but she’s actually an invaluable help to me.
For S$550 a month, she has made life a lot easier for me these few years. In fact, there are only two problems I have with her.
One, is the fear that Gavin is too attached to her sometimes. I reckon it’s jealousy and insecurity on my part but it’s inevitable, and fortunately it’s not something I have to struggle with very much at all.
The other problem is the lack of privacy sometimes. Before her, I used a part-time maid service and we were very happy with that arrangement because several household chores got done and yet our space wasn’t intruded on a daily basis. However with a child and the fact that I’m also working, employing one in-house became a necessity.
Although there is still another half a year before she leaves, but I do need to think of other alternatives rather quickly. It is unlikely she’ll extend her work permit and frankly, we’re not exactly keen on the idea of a new maid and possibly a new set of problems. I’ve employed several maids when I was staying with my mum to know the headaches as well as heartaches. With my current, I’ve been rather lucky but I’m not sure if my luck will continue.
But having said that, I acknowledge that it’s still an option we need to keep open though. It doesn’t quite make sense to send the boy to a childcare while I work and then come back and have to do the housework and stuff. Reverting to part-time help also doesn’t make much economic sense when compared to how much value a full-time helper can bring. And as for my in-laws, well that’s another story that I won’t discuss for now.
Maid or no maid. It’s funny how most of us can become so dependent on domestic help these days. And how much they can impact our lifestyles both ways.
after reading to your second last paragraph, doesn’t seem to have many choices here! having one is really the easy way out. but if having a new one = a new set of problems that will cause u undue stress, then paying for a part-time maid might work out better. not economically, but for your emotional well-being.
i’m too spoilt to live without a maid.
imp: We’re all so spoilt aren’t we?
Comment by imp — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 @ 6:20 pm
When we have kids.. we become more dependant on them.. I can’t do w/out one.. and with Zaria’s arrival, I have hired another.
I’m now thinking.. next year, when my Indonesian maid leaves for good.. how is my new Filipino going to cope.
Hope you figure it out soon.
ZM: Hiaz…domestic headaches…
Comment by zara's mama — Mon, 2 Jul 2007 @ 10:15 am
Can’t agree more.. that’s why I hvn’t gotten myself a domestic helper. Am afraid that I will be too dependent, then I’m not about to lose my privacy too. So I do have a part-time helper once a week. I guess it is better since I work fr home lor…
Doris: Yup, easier when you work out of home. For me, I have to run a few places in a week. Can get really exhaustive.
Comment by doris — Wed, 4 Jul 2007 @ 5:57 am