All About Life Without Maids

[janet88]

My son was 4 when I was expecting #2. I am a SAHM. We were deciding between part timer and maid. We decided to get a maid instead of confinement lady. Maid did housework and cooking while I looked after bb. Then she would take a bath to look after bb so that I can coach son.

[weatherbee]

Coolkidsrock2:

Liberating to be without maid but unfortunately I am not able to resolve my meals problems. I reach home only around 8.30pm earliest, so it is still a problem if I order tingkat food. Rest of housework not a problem.

Your husband?

[matrix0405]

Autumnjune:

Hi


Will like to seek some advice here. I'm going to let my 3 months Burmese maid go tomorrow as she lied about using hp, mishandled food that caused the whole family to have food poisoning, then ignored my instruction to wear mask and inform me if sick and passed the virus to my toddler who was suffering from fever after her bout of stomach flu recovered. In between, this maid is obnoxious and no manners which I tolerated.

Ok, so much for my complaints. Decided to send her back despite my husband's reluctant. Question is should I get another maid or go back to be maid less?

I work in family biz and work is flexible, daughter is 2.5 years old and im expecting another one due in June next year. Everyone around me doubts that I can manage on my own... I doubt myself too.

Will it be workable if say I use robot vacuum and maybe part time helper for toilets, send my daughter to full day cc and tend to a newborn myself when the crunch comes? Read many inspiring stories here but most are with kids bigger than 18 months at least. I'm fearful as I don't know if maid less is a good thing with an infant and toddler, in laws out of reach and husband very tired at the end of work day??? Did anyone survive this?

You will be better off with a maid. Maybe Indon or Filo to help you for the next 2 yrs. Between 1 child and 2 children, the workload is more than double.

[janet88]

Hi Autumnjune,

We wanted to do without a maid…but the washing of infant clothes and looking after infant is definitely different with 2 kids. So we closed both eyes and tahan-ed maids until #2 was bigger. Different stage also…bcos older one would be in afternoon session…I needed a maid to cook and do housework so as to coach him in the morn. Kids are almost 5 years apart.

[SammiMum]

Dear Autumnjune,


Just want to share with you my experience.

I am a working mum with 2 kids, 2 years apart and never had a maid. I don’t live with my in law so I sent my elder child to morning childcare when my 2nd child was born. He was only 22 mths then but luckily he was looked after by caring teachers. My mother in law came to help me (only afternoon) during my confinement. After the first month, I did everything else on my own including cooking own breakfast & lunch. Hubby helped the heavy chores when he is back from work. Yes it was tiring but its definitely doable. Just don’t try to be a supermum and want everything to be done within the day. After 7 years, I am still maidless and happy that I never try to have one. I am still as busy. Need to coach children in their study after work and to do house chores after they sleep. But come to think of it, I rather be busy for my children and family than to always be busy and troubled by a ‘helper’ who is supposed to help me. I shared the same plus points as slmkhoo. On top of this, my husband has also changed from ‘doesn’t know how to houseworks’ to ‘really good at it’ now.

Cheers!

[MummyThreeStreams]

slmkhoo:

Autimnjune - another thing to note is that you may need to cut some corners and lower expectations if you do it alone. I find that many of the expectations of Singapore families are very high - handwashing of baby laundry, separate food for everyone, 3 dishes for dinner, rocking baby to sleep, accompanying kids closely all day, needing more than 1 adult when taking kids out etc. I had my babies in the UK where most mothers don't have home help of any kind, and learned a lot of labour-saving ways from them about caring for babies and toddlers. We came back to Singapore when my 2nd was 2 mths old, and I found that so many people thought my methods were crazy. But my kids thrived and we are all healthy and sane.

I totally agree with simkhoo on this point. You have to be realistic in your expectations. Don't try to do everything perfectly. Don't even try to do everything. It's OK. Must save some energy for yourself and for your husband!

[Peony]

pecalis:

I've been looking at Irobot, Neato and Iclebo. Finally bought the Neato XV-21 for $599 as there are many rooms to clean. Like Neato for it's ease to use (no need virtual wall), very fast as cleaning is systematic and minimum maintenance. I have a part-time helper tt cleans the house once a week for 5 hrs but after 2-3 days, can see dust balls accumulating on the floor. It's really a good investment and I'm so happy tt while I'm attending to baby or busy cooking, my floor is being vacuum at the same time. To help the robot be efficient, clear clutter on floor, sometimes a small rm can be done in just 10-15mins! With the floor vacuumed, I'll use my spin & go mop as and when i'm free, not free, nevermind since floor already quite clean. Btw, Neato is rather loud as it's suction power is also the greatest, so I usually close the door when vacuuming the rooms.

I was considering Irobot 560 selling at $480 on ebay but decided to buy Neato instead.

After much research, I got the Neato too. The Neato has the strongest suction power and a lesser hassle to clean. Only loses to roomba in appearance. Wonderful to come home to clean floors!

[peapot]

Do u need to vacuum everyday to keep floor clean? Does it use a lot of electricity?

[Peony]

peapot:

Do u need to vacuum everyday to keep floor clean? Does it use a lot of electricity?

I do as I have pets.

Will wait for electricity bill...

[janet88]

peapot:

Do u need to vacuum everyday to keep floor clean? Does it use a lot of electricity?

I used to vacuum everyday...feels good to walk on clean floor.
But now cut to 2x a week...vacuum cleaner too heavy.