Tell me about the terrible twos! For me the best solution is to physically remove my toddler from whatever nuisance she’s getting herself into, and quickly distract her with something else. Of course there are times when this doesn’t work, or times when I’m simply too busy to monitor her every move. That’s when the tiring part begins - explaining for the 1000th time why she cannot do something, and hoping the tantrums won’t start. If it does, I still move her away from the ‘crime scene’ and let the tantrum run its course.

st2:

Divamama:

So anyway, all the transfer candidates have very high expectations and demands. It's beyond my budget - $550+ salary, filipino channel on SCV, mobile phone bills, food allowance... The list goes on!

:yikes: :yikes:

This is shocking, how good are they?!?!?!?

Are there really any employers that offer this???? I'm very curious to know.

Maybe I'm country bumpkin, I can't believe any employer can offer such terms to a stranger. They can claim whatever on their biodata. I would want to personally go to their previous employers house to interview their previous employer is she worth that much?!?!?!?

My ex-maid, who asked for $600 (but we paid $550 as a start), was definitely not worth the salary and perks. But the problem is, these maids really think the world of themselves! Most ask for at least $500 if they've been here 3-4 years. And a common pattern is, they all work for local families when they first arrived, and often have expat employers after. So perhaps that's where the high expectations come in. Of course, fresh maids also command a higher pay now, around $420 minimum, so the transfer ones feel the need to up their salaries too.

Straffan23, my main problem is my husband travels very often so I don’t have much help from him. Plus my toddler has turned very clingy, don’t know how I’ll manage to carry, let alone breastfeed my newborn, numerous times a day without her flying into fits. I’m the one doing everything for her now, like putting her in bed for nap and at night, showering, bringing her to play group, etc. So am worried how I’ll juggle. We tried enrolling her in school but was taken for a ride by the irresponsible administrator. Paid up registration fee in Jan, wanted toddler to start half day program in March or latest June, but was only offered 2 days a week in the end. And at a premium price, due to the ‘special’ arrangement. Total waste of time! But thanks for the encouragement, I’ll do my best! Crossing all fingers and toes…

Hi shebeautiful, I feel your pain. Also hiring full time help for the first time, and it’s been difficult so far. My first transfer helper lasted only 3 weeks, couldn’t stand her work and attitude so sent her away. Now the problem is looking for her replacement. It’s soooooo difficult finding a good match. We’re looking for Filipinos cos we have a dog at home, and most Indonesians are unwilling to take care of dogs. So anyway, all the transfer candidates have very high expectations and demands. It’s beyond my budget - $550+ salary, filipino channel on SCV, mobile phone bills, food allowance… The list goes on! I don’t know if they’re just trying their luck or if the offers for helpers are so good nowadays. And it doesn’t mean that if we pay well, quality of work will be good. Learnt a very expensive lesson with the first helper. Just getting really fed up of the situation, where did all the good helpers go?


Straffan23, I’m kind of in the same boat, due anytime with #2 and just sent helper back to agency. How did you cope? I’m freaking out cos I’m running out of time. I’m a SAHM but my 2yo is taking up most of my time and energy. I can’t do much between her non-stop antics and my big belly. Can’t imagine how I’ll manage with the newborn too.

Thanks ladies. I’m not hiring a confinement nanny cos my mom insisted on helping. She’ll probably cook for me and my toddler, and I hope breastfeeding will go smoothly with my second baby too.


My main concern is how I’ll take care of my toddler and the housework. My 2-yo daughter is not going to school till next Jan and she’s very jealous of her baby sister already. My mom has no patience with my daughter and she doesn’t help out very much with the housework too. Plus my husband is traveling very frequently and I can’t count on him to do much. Stress.

Was counting on hiring an experienced maid who can take care of my daughter, at least keep her occupied while I take care of my newborn. But I never imagined that maids are so demanding nowadays. Treating them well only resulted in being taken advantage of.

Sigh, don’t know if I’ll ever find help. I salute all mothers who did everything single-handedly.

Hi all, I’m hiring a full time maid for the first time and would like to ask about the rates of transfer maids. I’ve gone to many agencies and it seems like the average is $500 plus all Sundays off? I don’t mind giving the maid her Sundays off but I find that the salary is very high. Some even asked for $600-700.


I’m really taken aback. The problem is, I did have a filipina maid for 3 weeks but I sent her back to the agency due to her terrible work and habits. This maid had been in SG for 7 years, record was good, and interviewed well. But she couldn’t do proper housework or she couldn’t be bothered. Just taking advantage of my leniency.

So now I’m stuck tothe same agency with limited choices of transfer maids. Sigh so disappointed and stressed cos I’m delivering next month and really need help with my toddler and soon to be newborn. can anyone share with me your experience with your transfers? And how much their salary is? We paid $550 to the maid but felt really cheated given the low quality of her work.

Thanks kiddo


All thes best to you too!

I used to attend classes at Shermay’s Cooking School at Chip Bee Gardens regularly. That was before my daughter was born and when fees were lower. The teachers/ chefs there are very meticulous and the recipe packs given are quite idiot proof. Nowadays I’m too busy on weekends to attend classes.


Currently I refer to cookbooks that are highly recommended on Amazon, like Dorie Greenspan’s books. these are the western cakes of course. I’m on the prowl for detailed cookbooks for local desserts.

I also frequent Meidi-ya as we go there every weekend. You may be surprised, some of the products there are cheaper than the very same ones at Cold Storage. Not sure about wholesalers though.

My go-to one dish meal is pasta with homemade sauce. I regularly cook and freeze a variation of tomato based pasta sauce so it’s easy to put a busy weekday dinner together that’s healthy.