<![CDATA[Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults?]]>Dear All


I’m rather worried…need your advise…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/13815/who-just-started-having-maid-at-home-w-kids-without-adultsRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 11:02:32 GMTMon, 13 Sep 2010 03:47:56 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:04:31 GMT]]>Hi DesertWind and Busymom,

Thanks for both your advise! I will keep the above in mind when I am on my search for the maid. Concurrently, I better make sure I install window grill and camera very soon. Things may not be that bad afterall. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/627062https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/627062Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:04:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:19:02 GMT]]>

dokomo:
Based on ur past experience on maids caring for kids with no adult at hm, what type of profile of the maid do u look for? Young vs old, single vs married, with children vs wo children. Thot those with children may hv more patience with kids? Indo vs pinoy?


I know getting a good maid depends on luck, but at least it shld help me when sourcing for one.
:thankyou:
We have almost always gone for those who are in their 30s. Feel that they could be more matured, although energy wise, cannot be compared to the young twenty-something.

Most of our maids have also been married. Only 2 so far were not. One was ok, very stable, very patient, no BGR issue, no family issue... Another was also ok taking care of my newborn (at least for that few months when she was with us), but BGR issue at home caused her to terminate the contract just after a short few months... 😂

Some of my friends also had very good unmarried maids, so really depends on luck.

Perception is Filipinos can be cleaner or more hygienic, less likely to practise black magic. Downside is, they are more likely to have attitude problems and show you black face, which I experienced and tolerated for 4 years from my first maid. The subsequent ones were actually quite ok though. Indonesians are easier in that perspective, but if you are not lucky, you could have maids who are very promiscuous (my mom, sister, friends had such maids before...).

Lastly, don't choose one who is too vain looking or too pretty.

Good luck.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/625036https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/625036Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:19:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:18:06 GMT]]>

dokomo:
Based on ur past experience on maids caring for kids with no adult at hm, what type of profile of the maid do u look for? Young vs old, single vs married, with children vs wo children. Thot those with children may hv more patience with kids? Indo vs pinoy?


I know getting a good maid depends on luck, but at least it shld help me when sourcing for one. :thankyou:
Hi dokomo,
For looking after children (especially infants) and with no adults at home, definitely you need maid with experience. It is better if they have kids themselves so they have the motherly instinct in them and know what to do. In terms of age, I think mid-to late-twenties is ideal. Still for the first one-half year, we park the baby and maid with our PILs. After that then leave her alone at home with the baby since my PILs also said she is reliable.

For me, my maid looked after my 4 yo boy since infant and when recruiting, my husband insisted someone with working experience already in Singapore. Before she joined us, she had previously worked for one Singaporean family for 5 years looking after 3 kids! That time she was single and new and her employer sent her for training etc. She is also sensible and like kids hence also personality wise we were assured based on her past work experience!

My maid is Indonesian. However, some prefer Philippino since they can speak English better.

All the best!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/622269https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/622269Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:18:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:53:28 GMT]]>Based on ur past experience on maids caring for kids with no adult at hm, what type of profile of the maid do u look for? Young vs old, single vs married, with children vs wo children. Thot those with children may hv more patience with kids? Indo vs pinoy?


I know getting a good maid depends on luck, but at least it shld help me when sourcing for one.
:thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/622172https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/622172Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:53:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:32:15 GMT]]>Both our kids have been cared for by maids without any other adult supervision, not even spot checks. For the first one, we had a camera which was really old technology, so it wasn't very effective to view online and after a while, we got too lazy to even check. Still, it acted as a deterrent, I supposed. We only had 2 months to observe that maid before I went back to work, which was probably not too ideal.


For the second one, we started to have 2 maids, one of whom had been with us for some time, so there was less worry on our part. Still, we upgraded our cameras so that it was easier to view online... But after we changed our PC, some of the cameras (the cheaper one that we placed in the rooms) were not working well again... haiz. By that time, we could trust our maids, so we kinda left it as it is.

Maybe time to change our cameras again, since going to have 1 relatively new maid plus another new maid in a month's time... :frustrated: Good news is, technology is so much better now than compared to 7 years ago when we have our first child.

One thing I have to say about leaving our kids with the maids without other adults, we learnt to close an eye sometimes with our maids. Our priority is always about our children's safety, rather than that piece of work not done properly, etc.

Not ideal, but what to do. 🤷

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/620717https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/620717Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:32:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:10:12 GMT]]>Hi peapot,


do you inform your maid about the cctv when she first came?

my dd will be going to church kindy (only 3hrs) starting next year. I am considering getting a maid help me look after dd after she’s back from school. A friend has been telling me cannot leave maid alone with child. makes me worried whether can leave dd with maid afterall… anyone any advise pls?

TIA!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/620567https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/620567Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:10:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:29 GMT]]>Actually I m one of those who leave my gal to the maid since she was 8mths old. Now my gal is 8 and still cared for by maid without any adult at home. No-inlaws and my parents too old to care for my gal so no choice. IT’s really heng suai, I guess.

During these years I have changed 4maids.

I have installed CCTV at home so perhaps it could have help. A good maid would be very concerned that there is a CCTV at home but a lousy maid doesn’t care if there are 10 cameras around.

I think it really depends on yourself whether "ne fan de xia ma" and also whether circumstances force you to take this route.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542521https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542521Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:21 GMT]]>Actually I m one of those who leave my gal to the maid since she was 8mths old. Now my gal is 8 and still cared for by maid without any adult at home. No-inlaws and my parents too old to care for my gal so no choice. IT’s really heng suai, I guess.

During these years I have changed 4maids.

I have installed CCTV at home so perhaps it could have help. A good maid would be very concerned that there is a CCTV at home but a lousy maid doesn’t care if there are 10 cameras around.

I think it really depends on yourself whether "ne fan de xia ma" and also whether circumstances force you to take this route.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542520https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542520Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:13 GMT]]>Actually I m one of those who leave my gal to the maid since she was 8mths old. Now my gal is 8 and still cared for by maid without any adult at home. No-inlaws and my parents too old to care for my gal so no choice. IT’s really heng suai, I guess.

During these years I have changed 4maids.

I have installed CCTV at home so perhaps it could have help. A good maid would be very concerned that there is a CCTV at home but a lousy maid doesn’t care if there are 10 cameras around.

I think it really depends on yourself whether "ne fan de xia ma" and also whether circumstances force you to take this route.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542519https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542519Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:01:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:48:53 GMT]]>

mrswongtuition:
thinking:

Hi Mrs Wong


How much does a CCTV cost? How does it work?Do you let your maid know that u have CCTV?
My boys are in lower primary. And I'm getting ready to go back to working life....

There are many different types and price depends on what you want.

You can get cheap internet cameras which work with your wireless internet system at home for viewing from office but downside is there's no recording unless you record on your computer (need to leave it on). Price range from $200 - 600 per camera. Recommended brand: D-Link.

Or you can get those proper CCTV with recording function. Cheap sets from China can cost around $600 (with 2 camera and installation). From Korea it's more reliable but slightly more expensive. My hubs is selling these machines so we know which are good and which are not 🙂 These might require some cable works, depending on where you want to install them.
You can choose pure recording only or you can choose those with internet viewing (newest model is iPhone compatible). Mostly go by motion sensor (only record when motion detected).

I do not let the maids know that there's CCTV. The CCTV was in 3 main areas: Kitchen, Living/Dining Room, Bedroom (my son's - mine's locked). We did remind them NOT to change in the bedroom. Only can change in the toilet.

My current maid is very good, so we installed it to watch the main door only.
My previous maid, the CCTV caught her stealing food & money. & she accused us of abuse when we sent her back to agency (she ran off with help from other maids to go to embassy). Embassy called us to investigate and we had ready proof - CCTV footage of her wrong doings & footage of normal daily life at home.

I have friends who install and they switch it off once they are home for privacy. It's up to you. I'm too lazy to do that so we leave it running 24/7.

HI Ms Wong,
I'm thinking to install camera at home before maid coming. As we are out for work at day and kid in childcare and only maid at home, occasionally will let kid stay at home when sick. We'll inform main about CCTV as we only need them to deter maid's misconduct. We guess recording is important and real time internet viewing is optional (but don't mind if insignificant price difference).Any recommendation? Thanks

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542419https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/542419Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:48:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:37:04 GMT]]>Maids have to be kept in the dark, so that they cannot plan anything. But they are an intelligent lot…after a while, they will roughly know.

They are DOMESTIC maids & absolutely have no need to know so much. Oh yes, don’t tell your kids either bcos maids are good at extracting info from them, esp the younger ones.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269168https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269168Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:37:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:29:10 GMT]]>

hquek:
Swit Cuppies:

The only thing we learn to make her keep on her toes is that we never inform her when we are coming home, when we are on leave, and others.. If she knows the timing and our schedule, she will slack in between and god knows what will happen at home 😛


oh don't bank on that. Very soon, she'll learn to read your cues (like when you discuss holiday plans), and also learn your habits (what time to what time safe).

But yes, as much as possible keep her in the dark. I honestly don't see why she has to know so much.

lol..its so so true..
But as my hubby's work schedule is hectic so he pops back home as and when he likes
Hence due to that she is unable to keep track of it..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269165https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269165Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:29:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:25:01 GMT]]>

thinking:
Hi Swit Cuppies


How old are your kids?

My kids are 3 and 2 yrs old..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269164https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269164Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:25:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:06:46 GMT]]>I did. Recently my maid told me she left the stove fire on and rushed off to fetch my kid from school. Almost there than remembered she did not switch off the fire! Yikes! Quickly fetch and rushed back thank goodness there was no fire, only the pot was burnt!


When she told me, I said good thing she decided to tell me otherwise I would have thought everything was OK and that she can do no wrong. But actually she may be keeping a lot of things from me.

If possible, do not leave your kids alone with a maid.
:celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269056https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/269056Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:06:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:06:29 GMT]]>

Swit Cuppies:
The only thing we learn to make her keep on her toes is that we never inform her when we are coming home, when we are on leave, and others.. If she knows the timing and our schedule, she will slack in between and god knows what will happen at home 😛

oh don't bank on that. Very soon, she'll learn to read your cues (like when you discuss holiday plans), and also learn your habits (what time to what time safe).

But yes, as much as possible keep her in the dark. I honestly don't see why she has to know so much.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268932https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268932Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:06:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:26:28 GMT]]>Hi Swit Cuppies


How old are your kids?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268910https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268910Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:26:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:43:27 GMT]]>Hi…a newbie here…


I have a helper and i leave my 2 kids with her while my hubby and me goes out to work. I understand and aware that this is a tough decision to make but we have no choice as we both do not have any mums anymore and other siblings are already so tied up with their own family. Called my home a few times a day to make all is well. The only thing we learn to make her keep on her toes is that we never inform her when we are coming home, when we are on leave, and others… If she knows the timing and our schedule, she will slack in between and god knows what will happen at home 😛

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268887https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268887Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:43:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:21:47 GMT]]>My mum leaves the maid to care for my sis during the day. We have a cctv but switched the lights off. She was never told about the cctv, but doesnt do odd things, except yakking on our HOUSE phone allllll day long, no wonderour 4 handsets always run outta battery… i do not trust maids, but my mum does… cctv is still nevertheless used… 1 in liv’g room and one in their bedroom. There used to be one in mine but i got annoyed as i didn’t like the feeling of being "spied" on - i found it in a secluded spot, and my maid doesn’ really go into my room so there’s no point… just wasting electricity bills…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268825https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268825Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:21:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:09:00 GMT]]>I would NOT leave my younger child alone at home with the maid, if I can help it. The reason is as a SAHM, it is so tiring and frustrating when my child refuses to take a nap, throws a tantrum or is just plain difficult. I shudder at what a maid (someone without blood relations) could do in such situations.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268665https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/268665Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:09:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 03:03:33 GMT]]>

luvmum:
If this is giving you more worry than peace, you might want to consider either placing them at a good childcare or quit to look after. That happens to me and I choose latter since I've 2 children, one at childcare age, another student care age and I can't find a centre that have both... :?


I know one of my colleague have been leaving her bb to the maid since newborn till now. Her child is now 6 years old. Maid affair, is really 'heng' or 'sway'. I asked her before how she can do that, she replied 'No choice, just open one eye and close one eye so long as the bb is safe end of the day'. Not everyone can do it, need to assess on individual's comfort level though. :spank:
Agree that maid thing is 'heng' or 'sway'. For me, I am also not comfortable to leave my kids with maid alone. However lucky for me, when my 2 older kids were 7 and 5 yrs old, I went back to stay with my mum and my mum's maid is very good. In the morning, everyone went out for work (including my parents), so I leave my 2 kids with my mum's maid.

My mum's maid is still working for my mum now. My older girl still misses her at times. If now, want me to leave my youngest girl (2yrs) with her alone, I am perfectly o.k. My mum's maid is like a friend to me now. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/264521https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/264521Thu, 23 Sep 2010 03:03:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:15:27 GMT]]>

luvmum:

Yes, I really salute this colleague of mine. Not only that, now she even relys on her maid to bring the elder girl to school in the morning while leaving the 2nd girl at home sleeping all by herself. Leaving a 6 yr old child alone, that's really beyond me. Some may think I'm being protective but I just do what I'm comfortable in. If I need to be constantly filled with worry and anxiety, that drives me berserk for sure. :pokeeye:
Agree with u! I won't leave a 6 yr old child alone at home.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260700https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260700Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:15:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:48:47 GMT]]>

thinking:
Hi Mrs Wong


I'm in the mid of getting a maid....any reliable maid agency to recommend? :?
how old are your kids? I think a lot depends on that.

If like the other forummer, at least P4, then I'd be more assured. If not even in pri sch yet, then I'd try my best not to go down this route.

even with cctv, sometimes might be too late....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260489https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260489Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:48:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:21:25 GMT]]>

Mrs Ang:
luvmum:

I know one of my colleague have been leaving her bb to the maid since newborn till now. Her child is now 6 years old. Maid affair, is really 'heng' or 'sway'. I asked her before how she can do that, she replied 'No choice, just open one eye and close one eye so long as the bb is safe end of the day'. Not everyone can do it, need to assess on individual's comfort level though. :spank:


Your colleague is very brave! I can't trust the maid alone with my DD therefore has placed her in CCC since 3 month old. DD has been falling sick at least once a month....but what to do 😞

you might want to try supplements to prevent her from falling ill. I've posted info here: http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260484https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260484Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:21:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Who just started having maid at home w kids without adults? on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:27:21 GMT]]>

Mrs Ang:
luvmum:

I know one of my colleague have been leaving her bb to the maid since newborn till now. Her child is now 6 years old. Maid affair, is really 'heng' or 'sway'. I asked her before how she can do that, she replied 'No choice, just open one eye and close one eye so long as the bb is safe end of the day'. Not everyone can do it, need to assess on individual's comfort level though. :spank:


Your colleague is very brave! I can't trust the maid alone with my DD therefore has placed her in CCC since 3 month old. DD has been falling sick at least once a month....but what to do 😞


That was what I did back then when my 1st girl was near to 2. Placed her at full day childcare as it's really tiredsome travelling up and down my mum's hse but later on when bb 2 came along, went back to mum pl for childcaring help again. Now tat my mum is unable to help any further, I also didn't consider maid as they are no diff as complete strangers to me. Leaving my kids under their hands with no other adult ard is simply dangerous to me. So I'm resigning to look after myself though I can't bear to leave behind what I've built up over the yrs.:moneyflies:

Yes, I really salute this colleague of mine. Not only that, now she even relys on her maid to bring the elder girl to school in the morning while leaving the 2nd girl at home sleeping all by herself. Leaving a 6 yr old child alone, that's really beyond me. Some may think I'm being protective but I just do what I'm comfortable in. If I need to be constantly filled with worry and anxiety, that drives me berserk for sure. :pokeeye:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260442https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260442Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:27:21 GMT