All About Full-Time Maids

[pineapple tarts]

KopiYing:

Mine 32 years old but her education level is high school. So she could understand instructions but I observe that she cld be stubborn at times. That I don bother coz I have made it clear in my instructions. Other than that personally i feel at times she's like 装傻. Not very proactive coz once work done she wont find things to do or clean other areas etc.

Mine is grad who can speak good english. I don believe she doesn't understand my instruction. Simply pretend & like to shortcut & stubborn. She wont laze around, in fact she will find things to do. BUT she like to use her own method which is not up to my standard. Oh anothering thing, SUPER FORGETTFUL & eat like a cow. Here pain there pain like an old lady. At night apply ointment which stinks the whole room. 33 yrs old, never again.

[workingmom]

There are good and bad employers, just like good and bad maids.


Just that the media likes to highlight the bad employers…sigh.

I only worry as the maid takes care of my kids when we are at work & will walk them back from school. She is alone with them, my mum is too old to help or supervise…so I guess they can play up. Fortunately my kids are not that young anymore…second one going to P1 already.

I will be praying hard for a good replacement.

[kiasimom]

workingmom:

There are good and bad employers, just like good and bad maids.


Just that the media likes to highlight the bad employers...sigh.

I only worry as the maid takes care of my kids when we are at work & will walk them back from school. She is alone with them, my mum is too old to help or supervise...so I guess they can play up. Fortunately my kids are not that young anymore...second one going to P1 already.

I will be praying hard for a good replacement.

Are you intending to replace your maid?

[workingmom]

Yes, my current maid wants to leave mid next yr once her contract & work permit ends.

[ooptimizer]

My current maid also leaving at end of contract, will have to look for new one.

[mummy of 2]

Actually I thibnk it is a good thing to change maid every two years. DD2 was very attached to my previous maid, and my maid also loved her very much. However, she started interfering when we wanted to discipline her. I feel that DD2 is so spolit partly because of my previous maid. I’m glad that she has left, otherwise can’t imagine how strong the bond will become after another two years.


Even though there is hardship in finding another maid and training her all over again, I would rather endure that, than have my girl become totally spoilt by the maid.

Just my 2 cents.

[hquek]

My first maid stayed with us for 5 years. Wasn’t that great that we HAD to keep her, but she was ok. Find that after her holidays back home, somehow her attitude became a wee bit more pronounced (ie more prone to black face when faced with criticism). And it got progressively worse as the years went on. After the 5th year, both of us were fed up with each other - but we still part on ok terms. I like to think she’s enjoying life as rich man back home.


I personally don’t agree to change every 2 years cos I feel if they can work longer, it’s better for them (that 7/8 or even 10 months no salary is quite sad). But if attitude goes out of the window, it’s time to send them packing (and I dun mean to the maid agency).

[kiasimom]

workingmom:

Yes, my current maid wants to leave mid next yr once her contract & work permit ends.

When is your maid leaving?

If you are employing a fresh new maid, you have to give yourself about 3 months to source for one. There will usually be a delay.

[kiasimom]

mummy of 2:

Actually I thibnk it is a good thing to change maid every two years. DD2 was very attached to my previous maid, and my maid also loved her very much. However, she started interfering when we wanted to discipline her. I feel that DD2 is so spolit partly because of my previous maid. I'm glad that she has left, otherwise can't imagine how strong the bond will become after another two years.


Even though there is hardship in finding another maid and training her all over again, I would rather endure that, than have my girl become totally spoilt by the maid.

Just my 2 cents.

For me, as long as my maid understands from day one that she cannot interfere in me disciplining the children, and her work is satisfactory, I will continue to employ her.

[vividlaurel]

Phew! spent the last three hours reading every post in this thread!


Anyone have any experience with Indian maids? My previous maid came with super recommendations (her mom was working with my family in India) and she stayed with me for 4 years (from the time my babies were born till they turned 4). She then left to get married and we are still in touch. I did all the paperwork for her and so didn't use an agency. We treated her like family, but I realise that with this new maid, it should be more of an employer-employee relationship.

Now I need a new maid, (I am a FTWM) and so am a maid/agency virgin. Anyone with any experience with Indian maids? What are the does and don'ts that I need to look out for? Btw, we have almost finalised someone (I did a phone interview with her) and the EA will be coming over tomorrow to finalise things. This maid is asking for $300 plus one off day a month. She has a brother and sister also working in Spore and is 24 years old.

Is there anything that I need to be careful about and make sure about? Any help is highly appreciated.