All About Life Without Maids

[Joy]

Thanks, 2ppaamm


You are really energetic...for me, I am almost like a deflating balloon....Maybe I am still not season yet...Hope some day, I will be able to cope as well as you...

Thanks for sharing...

cheers
Joy

2ppaamm:

Here's how this works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewdbilSWjaM I set the timer for everyday cleaning and my floor is vacuumed everyday. Sometimes, I vacuum it more than 2ce a day.

I only mop certain parts of the house. The dirtier parts, e.g. kitchen dining areas, I mop everyday. The rest, I clean only 2ce a week. The floor doesn't get that dirty.

For others who want to know what can be done, perhaps knowing what I do helps?

For food, I cook really easy stuff. I either use my cooking robot, the thermomix (not available in Singapore, I imported it), or I use the thermopot. I boil the soup for 10 - 15 minutes and leave it to cook, with the rice on top. So I take about 1 hour to cook everything.

The dishes? I guess you know the answer, the dish washer which I have not deployed for a long time until the dismissal of the maids.

The laundry, not that difficult. Wash the whites on one day, and the darks on another. They are fully automatic. I only use bleach on the white socks. When the washing machine is done, I hang them out to dry. I make sure they are always under shade so that I don't have to run when it rains. For those that need pressing, I press them fresh out of the washing machine. I press everyday, so that's 5 uniforms, 1 shirt, 1 blouse and about 4/5 pairs of pants everyday. Because they are wet, it's really easy to iron, and I take about 30 minutes to do all of that.

If it rains and my laundry won't dry by 7, they are in the dryer. I then fold all of that and they all go to the 7 cupboards in the house. I don't have a backlog.

For the windows, I clean them only once in a while (I have 60+ windows). I am thinking of getting a part-time to do this, since CNY is coming...

Now the garden. I imported some irrigation system (cost me about US$300) and basically irrigate the whole house. I put it on a timer so that the whole garden is irrigated once a day. For fertilizers, I do this manually, only fortnightly, but my garden is blossoming with nice flowers. My DH does a lot of the gardening.

At the end of the day, I tie up the black bag and walk the rubbish out.

In between, I will sit with my 2 youngest for their piano practise, check on my kid's homework.

At about 11 p.m., I will work on my computer, marking papers (I teach), and prepare the next day.

I also run 2 businesses, so I give instructions to my partners what to do next.

Realise I don't watch TV? Haven't done that in 20 years.

Hope this helps! BTW, my house is CLEANER than with maids (who will lie to you that they've cleaned the floor when they did not).

If 2ppaamm can do it, so can you! :lol:

[clarabella]

I enjoyed reading this thread. We have many indefatigable parents here!

:salute:

We don't have a maid either. In fact we've never had one and by now we're frightened by the amount of energy it takes to find a good one... Initially we had no choice; we were working/studying overseas when our two older kids were very young; couldn't afford domestic help. We got so used to doing everything ourselves, plus we're both very picky people - I'm sure any maid would be driven nuts by my demands!

Anyway, our solution: get EVERYONE to help out. With three kids and 8000 sq feet to take care of, I'd die of exhaustion if I have to do everything myself.
I'm very lazy by nature, so my first basic rule is: everyone has to tidy/pack up whenever they're done with something. Don't start accumulating clutter in the first place, it is painful to have to clean, then maintain. So we don't leave newspapers, books, toys etc lying around the house. We clear the dining table immediately when done with meals and don't wait to wash up.

It's not difficult to cultivate the habit with young children; you just have to be consistent in showing them where to keep, and in reinforcing the habit. Even when our kids were babies, we taught them to keep their toys away when done, by showing them where to drop their balls/blocks/etc in the respective storage boxes. When they were toddling around, we pasted photographs of the various types of toys on the boxes, so they knew where to go. I think the key is to make sure you have sufficient storage space that is accessible.

I'm very kiam-siap too so cannot bear to purchase iRobots or a dishwasher. So other than a washer and a dryer (which I cannot live without), we don't have other fun gadgets, hehe. We get the kids to make their beds, vaccum and mop their own rooms, do their own laundry, help with dishes, clean their own bathrooms (gotta supervise though) and take turns with the common areas. Sometimes we even all cook together; everyone is in charge of something: washing rice and vegs, cracking eggs, etc etc. Aiyoh, I think we're like an assembly line!

[Joy]

Hi Clarabella


Thanks for sharing.

By reading how different mummies here cope with life without maid really gives me many ideas...thanks again

cheers
Joy

clarabella:

I enjoyed reading this thread. We have many indefatigable parents here!
:salute:

We don't have a maid either. In fact we've never had one and by now we're frightened by the amount of energy it takes to find a good one... Initially we had no choice; we were working/studying overseas when our two older kids were very young; couldn't afford domestic help. We got so used to doing everything ourselves, plus we're both very picky people - I'm sure any maid would be driven nuts by my demands!

Anyway, our solution: get EVERYONE to help out. With three kids and 8000 sq feet to take care of, I'd die of exhaustion if I have to do everything myself.
I'm very lazy by nature, so my first basic rule is: everyone has to tidy/pack up whenever they're done with something. Don't start accumulating clutter in the first place, it is painful to have to clean, then maintain. So we don't leave newspapers, books, toys etc lying around the house. We clear the dining table immediately when done with meals and don't wait to wash up.

It's not difficult to cultivate the habit with young children; you just have to be consistent in showing them where to keep, and in reinforcing the habit. Even when our kids were babies, we taught them to keep their toys away when done, by showing them where to drop their balls/blocks/etc in the respective storage boxes. When they were toddling around, we pasted photographs of the various types of toys on the boxes, so they knew where to go. I think the key is to make sure you have sufficient storage space that is accessible.

I'm very kiam-siap too so cannot bear to purchase iRobots or a dishwasher. So other than a washer and a dryer (which I cannot live without), we don't have other fun gadgets, hehe. We get the kids to make their beds, vaccum and mop their own rooms, do their own laundry, help with dishes, clean their own bathrooms (gotta supervise though) and take turns with the common areas. Sometimes we even all cook together; everyone is in charge of something: washing rice and vegs, cracking eggs, etc etc. Aiyoh, I think we're like an assembly line!

[clarabella]

You're welcome, Joy. I'm also learning a lot from everyone here

[mathsparks]

Since my kids are quite grown up, and I'm working part-time, I've been toying with the idea of letting the maid go. Not because of problem maids, but I think it's time my kids learn to be independent. Other than a couple of problematic ones, I've been blessed with ok ones throughout.


Mentally, I run through the chores and see if I can cope. Well, I hate ironing, but this is a chore which I can consider as going to the sauna, esp if you iron in the hot afternoon. :lol: Hate the vacuuming and mopping too, the robot should handle it fairly well, I hope.

I'm a greenie, so will never consider getting a dishwasher or a clothes dryer. But I consider these as light chores which could be outsourced to the kids, so it should be ok.

Somehow, I always get stuck on the changing-of-bedsheets which will surely leave me breathless...cleaning-of-toilets/shelves/windows..these cleaning will definitely drive me bonkers coz I'm allergic to dust.. Other than getting a part-time cleaner, any suggestion on what I can do about these? Get my dh to help? Nah..he'll probably say I'm mental to wanna do away with the helper.

So, 2ppaamm and joy, how are you ladies coping? Let the dust accumulate and then rope in the entire family? :?

[buds hubs]

skunk:

IJJ:

How I wish someone invent a reliable marketing and cooking robot to help me with preparing my family meals.

there's such a thing....it's known as \"husband\" lol

Hmmm... :?

If I did marketing & cooking for buds once in a while, does that make me a
robot too??

[buds]

A hunky robot at that too.


You ARE already doing the marketing sweetie. :hugs:

And those occasions that you DO cook, i must
say that they're pretty scrummy too.. :celebrate:

[2ppaamm]

mathsparks:

Since my kids are quite grown up, and I'm working part-time, I've been toying with the idea of letting the maid go. Not because of problem maids, but I think it's time my kids learn to be independent. Other than a couple of problematic ones, I've been blessed with ok ones throughout.


Mentally, I run through the chores and see if I can cope. Well, I hate ironing, but this is a chore which I can consider as going to the sauna, esp if you iron in the hot afternoon. :lol: Hate the vacuuming and mopping too, the robot should handle it fairly well, I hope.

I'm a greenie, so will never consider getting a dishwasher or a clothes dryer. But I consider these as light chores which could be outsourced to the kids, so it should be ok.

Somehow, I always get stuck on the changing-of-bedsheets which will surely leave me breathless...cleaning-of-toilets/shelves/windows..these cleaning will definitely drive me bonkers coz I'm allergic to dust.. Other than getting a part-time cleaner, any suggestion on what I can do about these? Get my dh to help? Nah..he'll probably say I'm mental to wanna do away with the helper.

So, 2ppaamm and joy, how are you ladies coping? Let the dust accumulate and then rope in the entire family? :?

Sorry, only saw this post now... I'm still a newbie leh... Today, I got this lady to come in and help me to do just that- changing bedsheets. Ha ha! I also become breathless after changing all those bedsheets!

See, 2 single beds and 1 queen size beds are loft beds and I dread having to do that, so I paid $50 to get that done today. A bit heart pain, but better than allergy. The dust mites can be fierce.

Over this weekend, I will change the beds to something lower so that I can change them without climbing so high. If I succeed, I will let you know...

Here's how I reduced using the clothes dryer - almost completely. I installed a awning, that will shield a part of my backyard completely out of the rain and wind. Then, I installed some bamboo holders below it. My clothes go below that. In case it rains, my clothes will never get wet or blown away. I can even leave them there at night - though I don't. Also, wash the clothes early in the morning. Will surely dry by night.

Dish washer, yah lor, get the children to do. Good training especially if you intend to send them overseas.

Ironing? I put the iron board outside where it is the most windy, quite nice lah...

Hm... do you have pets?

I think for your case, mathsparks, go get a part timer. Where do you stay? I may be able to get mine to hop over, I've only used her once, so not sure she's good or not. I think you've got to enjoy rather than slog to keep clean...

[2ppaamm]

buds:

A hunky robot at that too.


You ARE already doing the marketing sweetie. :hugs:

And those occasions that you DO cook, i must
say that they're pretty scrummy too.. :celebrate:

I feel like a lamp post leh...

Seriously, husband have to help. Marketing, helping the kids with their homework, read to the kids, take out rubbish, gardening. All the nicer things lah.

My husband is behaving like a robot too!

[2ppaamm]

clarabella:

I enjoyed reading this thread. We have many indefatigable parents here!

:salute:

We don't have a maid either. In fact we've never had one and by now we're frightened by the amount of energy it takes to find a good one... Initially we had no choice; we were working/studying overseas when our two older kids were very young; couldn't afford domestic help. We got so used to doing everything ourselves, plus we're both very picky people - I'm sure any maid would be driven nuts by my demands!

Anyway, our solution: get EVERYONE to help out. With three kids and 8000 sq feet to take care of, I'd die of exhaustion if I have to do everything myself.
I'm very lazy by nature, so my first basic rule is: everyone has to tidy/pack up whenever they're done with something. Don't start accumulating clutter in the first place, it is painful to have to clean, then maintain. So we don't leave newspapers, books, toys etc lying around the house. We clear the dining table immediately when done with meals and don't wait to wash up.

It's not difficult to cultivate the habit with young children; you just have to be consistent in showing them where to keep, and in reinforcing the habit. Even when our kids were babies, we taught them to keep their toys away when done, by showing them where to drop their balls/blocks/etc in the respective storage boxes. When they were toddling around, we pasted photographs of the various types of toys on the boxes, so they knew where to go. I think the key is to make sure you have sufficient storage space that is accessible.

I'm very kiam-siap too so cannot bear to purchase iRobots or a dishwasher. So other than a washer and a dryer (which I cannot live without), we don't have other fun gadgets, hehe. We get the kids to make their beds, vaccum and mop their own rooms, do their own laundry, help with dishes, clean their own bathrooms (gotta supervise though) and take turns with the common areas. Sometimes we even all cook together; everyone is in charge of something: washing rice and vegs, cracking eggs, etc etc. Aiyoh, I think we're like an assembly line!

One thing for sure, Clarabelle, your kids will grow up to be great! I wished I had that vision earlier. My kids could not even walk over the table and get a drink when we had helpers! Ridiculous!

Yep, now I do a lot of what you shared. Much tougher than just looking to the maid to clean stuff up. But I know this is life skills that will benefit them for a long, long time. :udawoman: