Helper 101

[kmalia]

oh no, no offense taken! was just realizing that my initial response may not have been clear. was trying to clarify!

 

[Matty]

We offered her the choice.
She prefers to eat what we eat, saves her cooking twice.

Have found that it has been an advantage. She loves to cook, and eating the same food as us seems to have inspired her to learn new and interesting dishes.

 

[peainpod]

It really does depend on the helper. Ours don't cook (but loves food) and she seems to really appreciate eating what I cook for our family. (She does all the food prep and washing up, so I don't mind doing the actual cooking.)

I asked her if she would prefer a food allowance and offered her HK$1000 with access to all our condiments (she eats quite a lot so I would still spend less thru the money I save from not needing to buy her share) but she told me she still preferred for us to provide food instead. What I do is have her buy additional supplies from the Philippines stores and put it on our household account in order to supplement her breakfast/lunches and on the weekend when my husband and I eat out. (It usually only amounts to about HK$200 a month.)

On a separate note, what does everyone do for their helper's toiletries and other daily-use items (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, body lotion, face cream etc.)? I've been buying them for our helper but my colleagues at work tell me that their helpers buy their own. What's the normal practice?