All About Life Without Maids

[Mychildren]

2ppaamm,


What you’ve written is good! I’ve thought of stop writing here but come back again. Thanks for the effort taken to key in such long story. First question, is this a real one?

No wonder my DH has been asking me to let go my hands to let the children do all those things they can manage by themselves, like folding their own clothes, now including ours, cleaning the floor, tidying the living room & their tables, hanging clothes, going to school on their own, making their own breakfast drinks, washing the dishes & the toilets too. At first, hard to let go cause use to doing them. But later, learn to let go so now I’m more free.

Recalled in my younger days, my mum’s work needs a lot of standing. Happened to c her legs showing green veins, it did pains me when I c my dad rub oilments on her feet. In the end, I also take part, help to rub her feet. She always said you must be tire, can stop already but I told her wait after I rub it 100x and I continue to count 1-100 while rubbing before I stopped. Mothers are always great but I don’t feel I’ve done that much as compare with my mum.

Your story moved me & I’ll remember to spare some time for her while busy with my own family.

[2ppaamm]

I heard this story many years ago, and don't know whether it is true or not, but my friend shared it with me so I share it here again.


I have a friend who is exactly like that, his mother was a washer woman and he grew up in expensive houses, being the son of the washer woman who will stick around the house. He subsequently went to MIT and became a scholar and now a very famous entrepreneur. If you see him at speeches, he will talk about his past.

Indeed, it is so much easier to get external help than to push ahead and do everything ourselves, and even harder to get the kids involved. At the end of the day, if we refuse to give up, I am sure we will see the fruit of our labour, so will the children. As I look at the burnt marks (careless this week lah), from all the cooking, I sometimes wonder if all those years of education might have been better used to generate more $$$, but when I look at the children, I am reminded we do not exist as a singular, but as a group of people working for the good of the community (or the home), or a bigger whole.

[Imami]

I must be a slave driver… My child can

- fold his Clothes and towel.
- hang his socks and undies
- unpack his childcare centre bag
- keep his stuff
- set the table for meals

And he is just four. I want him to know how to 生活。and I believes 生活 includes taking care of oneself and doing chores. besides, I don’t have a maid. So it makes sense to get him to help and learn along the way.

But still, I do most of the chores and handle the harsh detergents.

[Imami]

slmkhoo:

Imami:

I must be a slave driver.... My child can

- fold his Clothes and towel.
- hang his socks and undies
- unpack his childcare centre bag
- keep his stuff
- set the table for meals

And he is just four. I want him to know how to 生活。and I believes 生活 includes taking care of oneself and doing chores. besides, I don't have a maid. So it makes sense to get him to help and learn along the way.

But still, I do most of the chores and handle the harsh detergents.

I'll join you then! My kids could do these things at 4yo too, and I've added a few more along the way (they are teens now!). I think that it's good for a child to contribute a little to the home, and it makes them feel good too.

:hi5: oh yes, that little guy was so proud of himself and his stack of folded clothes and towels

Yes, as they progress, it makes sense to assign them new tasks.

[b2b3m4]

Imami:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"Imami\"]I must be a slave driver.... My child can

- fold his Clothes and towel.
- hang his socks and undies
- unpack his childcare centre bag
- keep his stuff
- set the table for meals

And he is just four. I want him to know how to 生活。and I believes 生活 includes taking care of oneself and doing chores. besides, I don't have a maid. So it makes sense to get him to help and learn along the way.

But still, I do most of the chores and handle the harsh detergents.

I'll join you then! My kids could do these things at 4yo too, and I've added a few more along the way (they are teens now!). I think that it's good for a child to contribute a little to the home, and it makes them feel good too.

:hi5: oh yes, that little guy was so proud of himself and his stack of folded clothes and towels

Yes, as they progress, it makes sense to assign them new tasks.[/quote]Seems like the norm for kids without a maid. Now my eldest (8 yo) resembles me when she scolds her mei-mei(s) for messing up the place or refusing to pack their bags. I am proud to say she is like a little 'mummy' to her sisters, tying their hairs, washing up the dishes and all but the scolding like the mother... hmmm... that i have a sligh issue.

[Dekora]

Roar! I need to rant about my part time cleaning company- just relax which doesn’t allow me to relax at all. Every week I have to call in to "complain" and all they do is "yaya, so sorry about it" and nothing done!

For those considering, please think twice about hiring them. To think I got rid of my maid, now I need to spend time and energy to chase after even the cleaning company! How irresponsible

[2ppaamm]

Dekora:

Roar! I need to rant about my part time cleaning company- just relax which doesn't allow me to relax at all. Every week I have to call in to \"complain\" and all they do is \"yaya, so sorry about it\" and nothing done!

For those considering, please think twice about hiring them. To think I got rid of my maid, now I need to spend time and energy to chase after even the cleaning company! How irresponsible

I stopped using them after just 1 try years ago. Easier to just do the housework myself. I figure getting angry takes too much time, too much effort, too much energy. That's why I got rid of the maids (I had more than one maid), so much happier, but rougher hands lah. Aiyah, some lotion will do lah, at least no headache,with headaches 吃补also no use.

[Sun_2010]

slmkhoo:

Imami:

[quote=\"slmkhoo\"] I'll join you then! My kids could do these things at 4yo too, and I've added a few more along the way (they are teens now!). I think that it's good for a child to contribute a little to the home, and it makes them feel good too.

:hi5: oh yes, that little guy was so proud of himself and his stack of folded clothes and towels

Yes, as they progress, it makes sense to assign them new tasks.

Just be warned that they get past the 'feel-good' stage at some point (around 9yo?) and start resisting chores. Then I had to become the strict mummy and insist. Now we have reached an even keel - they would prefer not to do chores, but they know they can't get out of it so they don't grumble any more.[/quote] :salute: Imani, slmkhoo

slmkhoo, tell me about it...
Add to the fact that school load becomes more, its easy to cave in. I partly did. Sigh! Difficult to undo the damage now :oops: .

[BaconEgg]

i have a 4 years old and a 2 years old. I am a FTWM and I have no maid, not even part time help. I cook daily and clean weekly. I still manage. Its tough at times but manageable. Its just whether you are willing to stay up late at nite to finish those chores.

[2ppaamm]

BaconEgg:

i have a 4 years old and a 2 years old. I am a FTWM and I have no maid, not even part time help. I cook daily and clean weekly. I still manage. Its tough at times but manageable. Its just whether you are willing to stay up late at nite to finish those chores.

:salute: of course! Well done! It is a matter of believing we can do it and then go execute it. :imcool: I clean twice a week, once general cleaning, and once to neaten, like pack all the cupboards, re-organize things, polish the wooden furniture... and disinfect the toilets. I've been to many houses with maids... suffice to say I think my house is a lot cleaner and neater even with less frequent cleaning, since my Roomba and I never 吃蛇。 :rotflmao: