All About Full-Time Maids

[adaline]

Ya true. Nowadays maids are very selective. They can just choose to stop working for u as and when they like, by giving u ridiculous reasons. My current maid is my fourth maid. My previous 3 maids all never completed their contracts.

First one worked for one year and a few months, wanted to go back philiphines because of her family problems. Had to pay for her air ticket back.
Second one worked for less than a year, and asked for transfer one day without any reason. Somemore it was right after my confinement. I nearly want to vomit blood. And furthermore, at that period of time, she had already finished paying the loan and could start getting full pay already. I can say that i nv treat her bad at all. She can eat whatever there is at home. And her work was quite relaxed as my elder son went to childcare, and she only had to do housework before my baby was born. I guess she cannot handle baby that's why she wanted a transfer. However she told my agent that she wanted to come back and work for me after a few days later. Too bad, I wouldn't take her back.
Third one worked for almost a year and ask to go back philipines as her hubby wanted her to go back and looked after her kids. This one made me very angry because before she said she wanted to go back, the medical checklist came. and i did ask her if she wan to continue working or go back as she told my son that she want to go back. Then she told me that she wanted to work and asked for advance one month pay. After 2 weeks, she told me that she wanted to go back. I was so angry for her dishonesty. I refused to pay for her air ticket. And i insisted that she pay me back for the 1 month advance pay. Of couse she doesn't have the money to pay thus she worked for one more month before going back. And she paid for her own air ticket.
Then now my third maid wanted to come back to singapore to work. And she gave my number to agents as alot of agents are curious as to why she didn't complete her 2 years contract. QUite a no of agents called up, and i think till now, she has not found an employer who want to hire her yet.
Sometimes i was wondering what on earth are these people thinking. They could jolly well get full pay, yet they want to go back or ask for transfer. Then need to pay agent money again (for those who want transfer). Then after go back, wan to come here and work again, then need to pay 7-8 months of agent fees again. Very weird. :?

[duriz]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here.
I had my baby last year and was a SAHM for a year before returning to work 3 weeks ago.
It was a luxury not to have worked for a year and a privilege to be with my daughter for 8 months.
During my one year career hiatus, I was chauffeur to DH, MIL and daughter. I drove and pick DH from work, drove and pick MIL from market and her tea sessions with her kakis. I was also the "fulltime-maid" at home.
it was tiring but I totally enjoyed it.
Now I’m a FTWM, we stay with PILs.
We have a PT maid who comes in everyday to clean, do laundry and ironing. My MIL takes care of my daughter and cooks. My MIL is requesting for a FT maid.
Personally, I’d much prefer not working, doing housework and looking after my daughter than engage a FT maid.

[HappyAvon]

duriz:

Hi everyone,

I'm new here.
I had my baby last year and was a SAHM for a year before returning to work 3 weeks ago.
It was a luxury not to have worked for a year and a privilege to be with my daughter for 8 months.
During my one year career hiatus, I was chauffeur to DH, MIL and daughter. I drove and pick DH from work, drove and pick MIL from market and her tea sessions with her kakis. I was also the \"fulltime-maid\" at home.
it was tiring but I totally enjoyed it.
Now I'm a FTWM, we stay with PILs.
We have a PT maid who comes in everyday to clean, do laundry and ironing. My MIL takes care of my daughter and cooks. My MIL is requesting for a FT maid.
Personally, I'd much prefer not working, doing housework and looking after my daughter than engage a FT maid.

Hi Duiz, you must be really enjoying your time when u were not working... Maybe u should let your DH knows about your intention and plan to be a SAHM? Probably your MIL needs a maid to help her out so that she can have more time....From what i think, older people who enjoy tea sessions with their kakis will not prefer to look after grandchildren...so in a way u are still lucky that your MIL can help you out....Its a blessing..

[duriz]

HappyAvon:

duriz:

Hi everyone,

I'm new here.
I had my baby last year and was a SAHM for a year before returning to work 3 weeks ago.
It was a luxury not to have worked for a year and a privilege to be with my daughter for 8 months.
During my one year career hiatus, I was chauffeur to DH, MIL and daughter. I drove and pick DH from work, drove and pick MIL from market and her tea sessions with her kakis. I was also the \"fulltime-maid\" at home.
it was tiring but I totally enjoyed it.
Now I'm a FTWM, we stay with PILs.
We have a PT maid who comes in everyday to clean, do laundry and ironing. My MIL takes care of my daughter and cooks. My MIL is requesting for a FT maid.
Personally, I'd much prefer not working, doing housework and looking after my daughter than engage a FT maid.

Hi Duiz, you must be really enjoying your time when u were not working... Maybe u should let your DH knows about your intention and plan to be a SAHM? Probably your MIL needs a maid to help her out so that she can have more time....From what i think, older people who enjoy tea sessions with their kakis will not prefer to look after grandchildren...so in a way u are still lucky that your MIL can help you out....Its a blessing..

Hi HappyAvon,
Thank you for your response.
Yes, I'm very blessed. I'm an advanced age first time Mom and have a very good support system.
My MIL loves DD very much. This is because on both sides of my PILs families, they have had sons only. DD is the first girl to make an appearance in 24 years. DD is also the first and only grandchild on my side of the family. She is very privileged and I hope not too spoilt.
DH supports my decisions, be it SAHM or FTWM.
Ironically, it's my Mom and MIL whom do not agree to my being a SAHM. They said I'm still young and should not be \"cut off from society\".

[Breadandmuffins]

Hi duriz


I also stopped work to be SAHM after several years in the corporate world. My DH always share his encounters from his work with me so that I do not feel so left out. In addition, I try to join him on his corporate functions and we also invited some close colleagues to our house for a meal… I am sure there are many things we can do to keep up with the society but we only have one chance to see our child grow up…I have seen some mummies who decided to retire early (after having a highly successful career )when their kids are in the teens and the child did not really view it positively…quite sad…

[mwchua]

hi all,


Many thanks for your kind reply and advice given !!! Very well appreciated.

After careful consideration and discussion with my hubby & mom, as well as taking into account that it takes at least one month for a new maid to come in, I have not sent my 2-week maid back to the agency as of now yet.

I think she is quite surprised that I did not ask her to stay when she 1st said she wanted to change employer on Wed night and I did not even bother to ask her the reason. That’s why on Thurs morning her whole attitude changed.

For now I will monitor her even more closely than before and any funny that she does I will just quietly go back to agent & ask for replacement. Then adopt the strategy of "1 in, 1 out" without giving her any advance notice. Luckily I am in 3-days work week now & under the worst case scenario, I will just work 4 afternoons after my girl goes to school to make up the hours. I will not be held ransom by that new maid & I told her upfront. She can go anytime she likes !!

Will see how it goes & keep you informed…

Rgds,
Ming

[hquek]

mwchua:

hi all,


Many thanks for your kind reply and advice given !!! Very well appreciated.

After careful consideration and discussion with my hubby & mom, as well as taking into account that it takes at least one month for a new maid to come in, I have not sent my 2-week maid back to the agency as of now yet.

I think she is quite surprised that I did not ask her to stay when she 1st said she wanted to change employer on Wed night and I did not even bother to ask her the reason. That's why on Thurs morning her whole attitude changed.

For now I will monitor her even more closely than before and any funny that she does I will just quietly go back to agent & ask for replacement. Then adopt the strategy of \"1 in, 1 out\" without giving her any advance notice. Luckily I am in 3-days work week now & under the worst case scenario, I will just work 4 afternoons after my girl goes to school to make up the hours. I will not be held ransom by that new maid & I told her upfront. She can go anytime she likes !!

Will see how it goes & keep you informed.....

Rgds,
Ming

hi mwchua,

Any decision you take is best in your circumstance.

I think it's very important to let the maid know she's not indispensible. Let the maid know what's she's doing well so she is motivated, but certainly not until she feels she is irreplaceable. Have seen a couple of those maids - whoa...the attitude super tao. Then if she feel her job may be gone anyday, she may (MAY only) be motivated to keep her nose to the grind and don't come up with any nonsense.

[liuhao]

i agree with you that it's necessary to remind her that she is not indispensable. however from the experience of my previous two transfer FIL maids, i feel they both have pretty strong pride and character. they dont take scold and i am not sure how would they react to this kinda reminding. somehow they may feel they are forced to do something with the fear of losing job. they may perform better but not from their hearts. if they feel they are doing good and the expectation goes beyond their limit, they may react negatively. it may damage their initiatives too. of course it the maid already threats to quit, then the reminding is a must.


fresh new maid is normally more obedient. this kinda reminding normally should work well without causing any damage.

hquek:

mwchua:

hi all,

Many thanks for your kind reply and advice given !!! Very well appreciated.

After careful consideration and discussion with my hubby & mom, as well as taking into account that it takes at least one month for a new maid to come in, I have not sent my 2-week maid back to the agency as of now yet.

I think she is quite surprised that I did not ask her to stay when she 1st said she wanted to change employer on Wed night and I did not even bother to ask her the reason. That's why on Thurs morning her whole attitude changed.

For now I will monitor her even more closely than before and any funny that she does I will just quietly go back to agent & ask for replacement. Then adopt the strategy of \"1 in, 1 out\" without giving her any advance notice. Luckily I am in 3-days work week now & under the worst case scenario, I will just work 4 afternoons after my girl goes to school to make up the hours. I will not be held ransom by that new maid & I told her upfront. She can go anytime she likes !!

Will see how it goes & keep you informed.....

Rgds,
Ming

hi mwchua,

Any decision you take is best in your circumstance.

I think it's very important to let the maid know she's not indispensible. Let the maid know what's she's doing well so she is motivated, but certainly not until she feels she is irreplaceable. Have seen a couple of those maids - whoa...the attitude super tao. Then if she feel her job may be gone anyday, she may (MAY only) be motivated to keep her nose to the grind and don't come up with any nonsense.

[mwchua]

Yes. It's a delicate balance and tight rope to thread....


I had 3 Indo maids before her & I must admit that the current 1 is the only 1 that gives me headache so early on in her employment with me.

Another quick question: this maid actually brings a bag with a small padlock. I told her to put those a few set of clothings for daily change in the cabinet meant for her and the rest of her items inside her haversack inside the storeroom. She kept her bag under lock.

Do you think I should get her to unlock her bag? My reservation is that when we are out during weekends or anytime she likes, she can just take things and put inside her locked bag. Even though I will normally check bags of maids before they go, but so far all my maids leave on good term so I just cast a quick glance on their bag before they go and do not do a thorough check.

If I should get her to unlock her bag what will be a good way to tell her to do that without sounding that she will take things from us and put inside her bag??

Thanks

[liuhao]

i am not comfortable with the lock. it shows that she has something to hide.


for me, i will talk to her, seriously but calm and firm about the purpose of using lock. and what does she intent to hide.

does she write letters? i am fine if she put some private letters inside. but i need to know.

mwchua:

Yes. It's a delicate balance and tight rope to thread....

I had 3 Indo maids before her & I must admit that the current 1 is the only 1 that gives me headache so early on in her employment with me.

Another quick question: this maid actually brings a bag with a small padlock. I told her to put those a few set of clothings for daily change in the cabinet meant for her and the rest of her items inside her haversack inside the storeroom. She kept her bag under lock.

Do you think I should get her to unlock her bag? My reservation is that when we are out during weekends or anytime she likes, she can just take things and put inside her locked bag. Even though I will normally check bags of maids before they go, but so far all my maids leave on good term so I just cast a quick glance on their bag before they go and do not do a thorough check.

If I should get her to unlock her bag what will be a good way to tell her to do that without sounding that she will take things from us and put inside her bag??

Thanks