All About Full-Time Maids

[lifestylelink]

My maid with me 7 months. Had to hire a maid when my son arrives in March. Every now and then, I have to convince her to follow my instruction. Most of the time, I am forgive and forget but this one.... I just cannot get over it. I have been thinking....


I dont' understand. Why is it so difficult to get my maid to call me? Everytime I tell her something, she will reply I KNOW. Told her not to open door to strangers, she said I KNOW. Then what happened? :?:


Any maid out there to justify your fellows? You are welcome to join in this conversation too.

[Hermes]

Hi

I had 4 maids prevously and 3 out of 4 are very stubborn.Like to open the door to strangers and the last one sneak out when I am not in to look for telephone to chitchat with her so call singapore sisters.very fishy.i check on her telephone nos and all are maids with hps who has been working here for yrs. When asked the maid if she went out,she deny and even say she like to open and see if outside children come home from school and she even cried.Its plain excuse and after few days monitoring her, I sense that she has more up her sleeve and waiting to strike when I put my guard down.so we returned her.
I would never leave my maid alone with any infants or toddlers cos they cannot speak or seek help.
For someone who worked 7 months with you and repeated ignored instructions that she can understand, time to let go.
Am expecting No 2 next june and need help esp now first trimester feeling tired but think I just bear with it and let the No 1 be at the babysitter house and after I get some rest,I can do some housework.

[lifestylelink]

I believe you have a philipino maid. My maid is from myanmar, quite rare here. But philipino maid community here too big, up to too many monkey business.


My maid is leaving next month anyway. But I gave her a good lecture last night. I told her if she listen to my neighbour maid and follow her instruction, then she can pack her things and follow her. If she wants to listen to my neighbour, she can also pack her things and follow my neighbour. :x

However, there is one thing I like to share here. My 7-month old son is very fond of her and protects her a lot. Each time she get lecture from me, my son will make noise and fuss. Like last night, I waited till he slept then I sat down with my maid. In 5 minutes he wake up. Then my maid had to pat him to sleep. When I finally finished lecturing my maid, she returned to her room, almost bursting into tears. My son wake up again, fussing, sleep talking. I had to assure him that I did not throw her out of the house and he will still see her in the morning, then he happily sleep again. Some of you may say that I imagine too much, but it happened many times. :shock:

[HappyAvon]

I guess its not so much on the nationality of the maid. Character and personality plays a big part. If the person is stubborn, it is almost impossible to ask her to change... My mum's maid from Indon has been with her for 6 years and she is still behaving good and sensible.

My Indon maid of 2 years has left home for good...and she had never misbehave except a bit lazy with housework. However, she looks after my daughter well when she came back from school in the PM
Now I have a fresh filipino maid and I'm at least 90% safistied with her. Hardworking and highly initiative, good spoken english, good hygiene and know how to take care of my 3yr+ girl. She listens to instructions and do what she has been asked to do. My friends commented that she is over qualified Hopefully she will maintain her standard throughout.....

[lifestylelink]

I believe it is all depending on luck and chemistry. Not bias with nationality but just trying to minimize possible negative influence. I am generally 80% satisfied with my current maid except for her stubborness. She takes good care of my infant son thats why I give her many chances and is willing to offer her an additional month salary as completion bonus when she leaves next month. It is also to entice her to perform well during her last month with me.

[tamarind]

Maids generally never change. So if a maid does not follow instructions, and refuses to change, the only thing we can do is to change a new maid.


My maid is Indonesian. There are many stereotypes about Indonesian maids, all are false. My maid can communicate in English very well, she is very hygienic, loves children, and have a lot of respect for elders. She came when my younger boy was 2 years old. Within a few months, his speech improved a lot. Even now he loves to chit chat with her. Before her I had another Indonesian maid who is very good with babies, so it is not true that we must employ filipino maids to look after babies -> another stereotype. I actually sent away 3 filipino maids when my girl was less than 1 year old, they are basically good for nothing. My girl does not remember any one of them.

I will always stick to Indonesian maids simply because they are cheaper. I don’t believe that any nationality is more superior than others.

[lifestylelink]

tamarind:

Maids generally never change. So if a maid does not follow instructions, and refuses to change, the only thing we can do is to change a new maid.


My maid is Indonesian. There are many stereotypes about Indonesian maids, all are false. My maid can communicate in English very well, she is very hygienic, loves children, and have a lot of respect for elders. She came when my younger boy was 2 years old. Within a few months, his speech improved a lot. Even now he loves to chit chat with her. Before her I had another Indonesian maid who is very good with babies, so it is not true that we must employ filipino maids to look after babies -> another stereotype. I actually sent away 3 filipino maids when my girl was less than 1 year old, they are basically good for nothing. My girl does not remember any one of them.

I will always stick to Indonesian maids simply because they are cheaper. I don't believe that any nationality is more superior than others.

Tamarind, how much is Indonesian maid? I thought the rates now are all the same? Can you also let me know which maid agency you use?

[HappyAvon]

tamarind:

Maids generally never change. So if a maid does not follow instructions, and refuses to change, the only thing we can do is to change a new maid.


My maid is Indonesian. There are many stereotypes about Indonesian maids, all are false. My maid can communicate in English very well, she is very hygienic, loves children, and have a lot of respect for elders. She came when my younger boy was 2 years old. Within a few months, his speech improved a lot. Even now he loves to chit chat with her. Before her I had another Indonesian maid who is very good with babies, so it is not true that we must employ filipino maids to look after babies -> another stereotype. I actually sent away 3 filipino maids when my girl was less than 1 year old, they are basically good for nothing. My girl does not remember any one of them.

I will always stick to Indonesian maids simply because they are cheaper. I don't believe that any nationality is more superior than others.

Hi Tamarind

You maybe the lucky one who is able to find good indonesian maids. Honestly speaking many fresh indonesian maids does not know how to speak proper english and this may also include some filipina maids too. Sometimes it also depends on luck.... BTW, it is not true that Filipina are much more expensive..the market rate now is about 340.00 for Indonesian and 370.00 for Filipina - no off day. I would always suggest that you ask for phone interview with the maid..at least you will know their communication skills, their responsiveness etc..

[MMM]

We are planning a 3D/2 nites trip to genting during school hols. The 1st family outing that includes all my sils and their family.


Initially was thinking of bringing the maid along to help us to keep alookout of the 3 kids. However, fil sort of refused to go becoz he wanted to "take care" of the house. He didn’t feel secure leaving the house empty… (long story). But we felt that as the entire family is going, he should be going too.

Hubby is now thinking of leaving the maid alone at home. We’ve never done that before. She doesn’t have off day and doesn’t carry a hp so probably not likely for her to have friends? coming over??? Also, the maids at our area, usually keep to themselves and contained within their own house so don’t think she has maid kakis in our area. Wanted to check if there are any watchouts/ recommendations. We intend to do the following :
1) Only let her know before the trip that she will be home alone so she don’t have time to plan.
2) Move all our valuables to my mum’s house (as she stays in an apartment and less likely of a breakin,etc…)
2) Lock the bedroom doors during our absence
3) Random call home to check if she is home and doing fine

I probably don’t mind if she is skiving at home during our absence but I don’t like the idea of her going out,etc… Also, I am not sure if she will be afraid to stay at home by herself.

[jedamum]

MMM,


although i don’t have a maid, but i think it’s a good idea to draw up some activities (that she can do herselft at home maybe…wats her hobby? knitting? sewing?) or note down the timings of some good tv programmes for her…or even bring her to pick out some dvds that she can watch at home while you are away. if she likes to read, borrow books for her to keep her occupied as well.

jmho.