Are there any moms out there without a helper?

[kiwiinoz]

I have 2 children (4 and almost 2) and I don't have a helper. We have been here 8 months, and it is hard. I don't understand WHY is it so much harder here than back home, but it is. I have a cleaner who comes once a week - a godsend, but the difficulty I find is that it is hard to schedule things, and my 4 year old daughters school take it that people with more than one child have a helper for granted. She has had to miss out on school excursions because of it, and I feel bad about that.
Even with my daughter in school, trying to venture around Hong Kong, and even something simple like supermarket shopping, is such a challenge... taking an almost 2 year old and a stroller on a minibus is enough to put me off going out some days. He hates shopping and makes sure I know it. My days seem to be sucked away from me so quickly...
We don't have a babysitter, so going out for a quiet dinner once in a blue moon has now become never... but we're surviving... just.
The reason we don't have a helper is 1) because I thought I could manage without one (I'll admit I was wrong) and 2) because of the uncertain job future.
Yes - there are lots of helpers who take the kids to the playgrounds, but there are also lots of stay at homes mums who do that too. I've met some fantastic mums through these boards who meet up in Happy Valley and the children have a wonderful time while I get some much needed adult conversation.

 

[justineg]

Hello,

We are moving from Sydney and going to be staying at Parkview for at least a month while we house hunt (from April 4th) and it would be great to have another mum to meet up with (I have a nearly-3 year old son).

I will PM you when we get there.
Justine.

 

[katybookworm]

My boys are 5 and 3 and I've never had a fulltime helper, just someone to clean 2-3 times a week. I admit it is hard sometimes but I'm a really hands on Mum and I feel like my boys never miss out! We have lots of friends so have lots of playdates lined up during the week. We have less spontaniety than most friends with help and I have less time to shop and go to the gym etc but other than that I don't feel that I miss out. It helps that my husband is very hands on though too!!

 

[aussiegal]

I did notice most activities here are rather pricey, so we can't really afford to sign our son up for much more. I used to take my son to all kinds of free story-times and such back in the states. I haven't found that here yet, am I just not looking in the right place?

Ha, welcome to Hong Kong and particularly,to the Southside where activities are horrendously expensive. I can't believe the prices of some of the activities and i refuse to put my children into any that ask you to pay for 3 or 4 months at a time. I only go for activities that you pay for each time you go. There are lots of people/companies trying to rip expats off and frankly I find it annoying. I took my 2 year old to Soccertots and decided against it after one 'lesson'. They did nothing I couldn't/don't already do with him. I mean, they were blowing bubbles for christ sake! They even want you to buy a uniform for $300. Too funny.

I'm sorry I can't point you to many reasonably priced groups. I used to go to Boogy Babies (music group) in Stanley which was only $100 a time. The woman running it had a baby so not sure if it is still going. It was lots of fun and a great way to meet mums. The mums would normally have a coffee together afterwards and the kids would play. I can dig up an email address if you'd like.

The Stanley playroom is ok. It's indoors and you generally have a mix of mums and helpers. It's also free which is great.

Will try to think up other things to do on Southside but as others have said I really recommend you search this board for mothers groups that meet in your area.

 

[southside852]

children's activities are quite hard on the southside for some strange reason as the southside is mostly made up of families with young children.

like aussiegal said, the stanley playroom is great and the library has storytime, but i think only in catonese. another place is the stanley playground right next tothe bus depot. we often go to the open air markets in Cyberport and now on the Peak which is the first and 3rd of each month.

Honestly, I think the best way for you to mom's is to start your own playgroup at Parkview - it's a huge complex and there are of course lots of families.

When I first moved here, I had to push myself to take the initiative. We did Panda Junction in Central as well when we first moved to the southside. It's pricey, but sooo worth it. Michelle runs a fabulous program there and it's a nice mix of mostly moms and some helpers. The commute was annoying, but actually met a lot of mom's from the southside there from Stanley, Tai Tam and from Parkview. We only signed up for 2 terms and had made 2-3 friends as a result of it.

 

[Buckeroo]

the stanley playroom is great and the library has storytime, but i think only in catonese...

Whatever happened to Chatter Books? There used to be this lady who would hold storytelling sessions for kids 3+yo at the Stanley Sports Center. She was even advertising here at Geobaby.