All About Full-Time Maids

[starlight1968sg]

My siblings however think we hv to give wifi access bec of ’ treat her well and she will treat dad well’.


We went to FE Shopping Centre to interview a Filipino transfer helper. She asked for basic $700, a room to herself and even said the previous employer gave 13mth pay …

Now my siblings look at transfer helpers so that they can start work soon, already hv some experience living in spore. Of cse, they must hv taken care of elderly and speak basic English.

It isn’t easy to find one at all.

In view of all these hassles, I seriously think if I shld quit my job instead of getting a maid.

[Estéema]

I’m sorry to share, in my journey & experience of engaging maids, giving WiFi access will only distract them fr care for our elderly. Imagine, s’times its alr hard to train self-discipline in ourselves or our kids wrt gadgets handling & time Mgt. Having WiFi entice them to spend hours on chats, YouTube’s, etc. Also, those maids who set criteria choosing what they want or hints, I stay clear fr them, esp pinos will ask for high pay, public holidays outing, 13th mth Pay, “you go holiday yearly she gets to go home leave sirfare paid”, WiFi, own room, etc. Be aware.

[Coolkidsrock2]

I will also stay clear of such helpers. Even at work, will be cautious if an applicant is to make such demands at the interview. If she is good, she will not be transferred.


Expectations can only go higher. Tomorrow they will tell you to buy only organic, wagyu, iberico/kurobuta, juice, artisanal …

[sky minecrafter]

@Star, Estéema is well-experienced (though sorry, tldr), so are our other sharing forummers. Find an agency that you (& family) trust, & it is possible to get a transfer helper moving in within a month. Trust the experiences, the professionals and move on.

[lee_yl]

Star,

I agree with Estee. For me, I prefer new maids as their mindset working as a maid here would be shaped by me. I once interviewed an ex-HK Filipino and she requested weekly off days which my SIL and the agent advised me not to take her.

All my maids are not allowed to have HPs, agreed upon this condition at the agency before I bring them back. I also agree that providing free Wi-Fi for the helper will distract her from taking good care of your dad.

As for food, most days our helper eat what we eat. Either Gardenia Omega 3 or Sunshine Oatmeal bread as I always rotate between these two brands. If I toast butter croissants for family, I would give her one too. Some days I give her small snacks like Old Chang kee, peanut pancakes etc. The helper will usually be very happy to receive small gifts like this after a hard day’s work. You can call it “bribe” but I do not like to keep changing maids, I want them (and all of mine did) finish their two years contract.

Your suggestion is quite interesting, why not you apply one year no-pay leave to take care of your dad? On the one hand, can feel the insecurity of living without a monthly salary. If you can’t take it after a month, then cancel the no-pay leave lor. Lol.

[janet88]

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"1933067\" time=\"1567372754\" user_id=\"14025:

My siblings however think we hv to give wifi access bec of ' treat her well and she will treat dad well'.

We went to FE Shopping Centre to interview a Filipino transfer helper. She asked for basic $700, a room to herself and even said the previous employer gave 13mth pay ...

Now my siblings look at transfer helpers so that they can start work soon, already hv some experience living in spore. Of cse, they must hv taken care of elderly and speak basic English.

It isn't easy to find one at all.

In view of all these hassles, I seriously think if I shld quit my job instead of getting a maid.

giving maids wi fi access will allow her to surf the net and yak instead of looking after your father.
they will NOT treat the wi fi access as a perk but something entitled...honestly giving them the wi fi is a definitely big NO NO.

try not to take transfer maids. there must be a reason why they are returned to the agency. that maid you interviewed has already showed her true colours by setting conditions.

[janet88]

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"1933078\" time=\"1567380688\" user_id=\"48901:

I will also stay clear of such helpers. Even at work, will be cautious if an applicant is to make such demands at the interview. If she is good, she will not be transferred.

Expectations can only go higher. Tomorrow they will tell you to buy only organic, wagyu, iberico/kurobuta, juice, artisanal .....

I stay clear of Pinoy maids. many of them think they are higher grade than Indonesian or myanmar ones.
mum recently sat beside a filipino helper in the bus. she even advised my mum never take transfer ones but fresh one...we are amazed even a Filipino herself said that.
the agency told us once a maid goes for off day, be prepared to change because they are easily brainwashed by others.

[MyPillow]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"1933112\" time=\"1567392449\" user_id=\"17023:

Star,
I agree with Estee. For me, I prefer new maids as their mindset working as a maid here would be shaped by me. I once interviewed an ex-HK Filipino and she requested weekly off days which my SIL and the agent advised me not to take her.

All my maids are not allowed to have HPs, agreed upon this condition at the agency before I bring them back. I also agree that providing free Wi-Fi for the helper will distract her from taking good care of your dad.

As for food, most days our helper eat what we eat. Either Gardenia Omega 3 or Sunshine Oatmeal bread as I always rotate between these two brands. If I toast butter croissants for family, I would give her one too. Some days I give her small snacks like Old Chang kee, peanut pancakes etc. The helper will usually be very happy to receive small gifts like this after a hard day’s work. You can call it “bribe” but I do not like to keep changing maids, I want them (and all of mine did) finish their two years contract.

Your suggestion is quite interesting, why not you apply one year no-pay leave to take care of your dad? On the one hand, can feel the insecurity of living without a monthly salary. If you can’t take it after a month, then cancel the no-pay leave lor. Lol.

so u set aside time for your helper to use phone daily>
while at work routine 6am to 10pm - no hp usage ?
It is easier if mdm is at home to see the helper follows
for those mdm who are working, how to ensure they din use their hp at home?
i m thinking getting one in 5 yrs time, where we are too tired to wash dishes n chores after work
kids are big but still schooling n busy, so helper is doing chores n cook - And when i travel, got someone at home to be with my mama... :scratchhead:

[lee_yl]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1933126\" time=\"1567394234\" user_id=\"70594:

lee_yl\" post_id=\"1933112\" time=\"1567392449\" user_id=\"17023:

Star,
I agree with Estee. For me, I prefer new maids as their mindset working as a maid here would be shaped by me. I once interviewed an ex-HK Filipino and she requested weekly off days which my SIL and the agent advised me not to take her.

All my maids are not allowed to have HPs, agreed upon this condition at the agency before I bring them back. I also agree that providing free Wi-Fi for the helper will distract her from taking good care of your dad.

As for food, most days our helper eat what we eat. Either Gardenia Omega 3 or Sunshine Oatmeal bread as I always rotate between these two brands. If I toast butter croissants for family, I would give her one too. Some days I give her small snacks like Old Chang kee, peanut pancakes etc. The helper will usually be very happy to receive small gifts like this after a hard day’s work. You can call it “bribe” but I do not like to keep changing maids, I want them (and all of mine did) finish their two years contract.

Your suggestion is quite interesting, why not you apply one year no-pay leave to take care of your dad? On the one hand, can feel the insecurity of living without a monthly salary. If you can’t take it after a month, then cancel the no-pay leave lor. Lol.

so u set aside time for your helper to use phone daily>
while at work routine 6am to 10pm - no hp usage ?
It is easier if mdm is at home to see the helper follows
for those mdm who are working, how to ensure they din use their hp at home?
i m thinking getting one in 5 yrs time, where we are too tired to wash dishes n chores after work
kids are big but still schooling n busy, so helper is doing chores n cook - And when i travel, got someone at home to be with my mama... :scratchhead:

All don’t carry HPs lah. Last time use prepaid phone cards. Now use Skype.

By then you don’t need maids lah, today you wash dishes, tmrr your DS, then your DD ... Rotate duties!

[Funz]

I guess for those that hire the helper mainly for caregiving purposes, it is important that they focus on their charges rather than be distracted by the phone.


For my household, main role is household chores so I do not restrict so long as what needs to be done is done. I do not give wifi access though. You want to use your phone all day long then you pay for it yourself. My previous helper can be on the phone the entire day but I tolerated it because the house is clean, cars are cleaned, the laundry is done properly and dinner is served (though not up to our standard but edible).

What is more important for me is that they are honest as in no stealing, no bad attitude, no drama. DH has been complaining to no end about our current helper. I told him off yesterday after he got all worked up over a small matter and started ranting about how useless she is, no brains, etc. Told him that though she is lacking in some areas and can be quite forgetful, these are areas that we can work at or work around. Asked him

Is the house clean things neat
Are all our sheets changed every 2 weeks
Are our cars washed every week
Are our clothes not laundered properly and timely
Is marketing not done
Is dinner not served
Is she not polite
Does she not return money found

Yes sometimes she mix up our clothes and place them in the wrong area, yes she has accidently broken some things or mess up the settings of some stuff, yes her cooking needs some improvements, yes she chooses to do certain things at odd hours and yes, she is someone whom we need to explain things clearly and let her know the reason why certain things have to be done certain ways or she may not follow our instructions. Yes she is prone to giving a lot of excuses when things go wrong but I put it down to her being defensive and worried, her tone was never belligerent or rude, just panicked and remorseful.

He does not see a lot of things that is done around the house because he has never been the one who handles them so he does not feel that she has done a lot. And the few things that affect him somehow she made some mistakes and it becomes totally glaring. DH is a very fussy person that even I don’t like to handle a lot of his stuff.

We are not home the whole day to be able to eyeball helpers so no choice, gotta take a leap of faith and close both eyes over certain things. So far, I have been very lucky not to have any of those nightmare helpers that bring all sorts of trouble for their employers.