this post is very encouraing. we currently have a helper (our first one) who's been with us for the past 6 months & i'm very disappointed with her so far. however, i'm afraid to switch because might get an even worse one. however, after reading this post & given what happened yesterday (while my husband/i went out to pick up some groceries in the evening, we told her to keep an eye/ear out for baby who's sleeping... when we got home, instead of doing what we told her, she was taking a shower. when i questioned her, she said she could hear baby while taking a shower with the bathroom doors closed!) i have now decided to look for a new helper once & for all. wish me luck!
Are you generally happy with your helper(s)?
- Thread starter HK2008
- Start date
The helper sounds a bit irresponsible and not respecting your instructions.
I like to think that helpers are like MIL's --it's down to the luck of the draw, really.
I agree! How true!
fingerscrossed
Registered User
This is our 2nd helper and we're very happy with her. Has common sense (which is on par with ours), we communicate OK and she's great with my toddler. Of course she has the odd annoying habit/forgetful moment but it's not enough to get me worked up and fire her. Our first one just didn't have a clue so I think to get a helper who thinks the same way as you do is the key.
southside852
Registered User
We love our helper too! She's made our lives so much easier. She is wonderful with our son, in the kitchen cooking and allows my husband and I spend time together too.
shuchisingh
Registered User
just one more addition.. we like ours too.
I have the same issues as wanfamily apart from the fact that i'm not going back to work. My helper is goodhearted but lacks common sense; has fun with my daughter but her lack of common sense means she'll offer my daughter something on a saturday that was cooked on monday, for example; is extremely trustworthy in the sense that i believe she wouldn't steal but she does eat some of my food out of curiosity; humble enough to listen but too distracted to take it in!
I've been in two minds for a while about whether or not to keep her. I'm worried about getting someone bad and also, feel sorry for her in case she doesn't get another job. My husband is adamant that he wants a replacement as he is fed up of her mistakes. I get annoyed too but feel bad letting her go, especially as i know she's fond of my daughter!
I've been in two minds for a while about whether or not to keep her. I'm worried about getting someone bad and also, feel sorry for her in case she doesn't get another job. My husband is adamant that he wants a replacement as he is fed up of her mistakes. I get annoyed too but feel bad letting her go, especially as i know she's fond of my daughter!
Sometimes it's not a case of not having common sense but what they are used to. A lot of helpers do not like wasting food, since their standand of living at home may mean they have to save up everything. If she smelled or tasted it and it did not seem to be off to her, she may think it's ok to feed to a child. We tend to have higher food hygiene standards. Obviously, this does not make it "right", but if it's an issue that is important to you, just explain to her the dangers of offering such foods to you/your child and tell her it's extremely important for her to follow your wishes on the matter.
I don't know what other mistakes she has made, but with our helpers, I find that mistakes often stem from the fact that either previous employer instructed them wrong or they simply have not been told it's wrong and not been told the right way. I normally physically demonstrate the correct way and tell them why it's done this way, give them a little while to correct their bad habits. It is only when my instructions are ignored further down the line that I tell them off about it.