Helper for my helper?

[alexday]

What nationality would you prefer ? Local (Hongkongers), Philippines etc ? Of course, the costs of the locals are more expensive for the same number of working-hours.

I know one local who might be available from mid Sept. onwards. Her number 9331-6488. She knows that you might call her. Simply interview her like any others since I don??t really know her. I have met her a couple of times when I was on leave and while I was taking care of my baby. She seems trustworthy.

A

 

[anna]

there is a book called the "helpers helper" and if your maid can read then please do both you and her a favour and buy her a copy!
It will not only help you but will tell your maid what is expected of her. Teaches basic cooking, cleaning etc so she wont have an excuse to ruin anything anymore.
I have been through quite a few helpers and trust me, those horror stories - i lived through it! Yes, it is essential to find a maid who spends quality time with your child, but be warned, if you let her, she will slack off! You HAVE to tell her what is expected and DO NOT feel guilty as she would have been well aware of this before working for you (did you ask for refrences from previous employers? what did they say?) Most maids will become lazy if you let them, i have learnt this from both my personbal experience and from friends. It may sound harsh but you are paying money so you can have quality time with your child - and NOT have to be doing household chores!! She should NOT be running off to her room and hiding.
TALK to her, as it sounds she maybe unhappy -maybe misses home or finds it all to difficult for her. If she says nothing is wrong then proceed with the above.
Good luck ;-)

 

[rani]

Hi Anna,

Funny you mentioned the book "Helpers Helper". We'll be launching a new promotion shortly and will be giving out free copies to members.

Stay tuned for details!

Rani

 

[Chestermom]

Domestic Helpers needed here!

Hi,

I am a new member and am now seeking for a helper who can take care of my 11 months old baby urgently. Do anyone of you have a good referral of the agencies or from your existing maid?

your response and help is much appreciate.

chestermom

 

[Fafa]

Please try Central Link Agency.

It is in Central (Wellington Street). I tried it twice and found the standard of their applicants were good. In fact, I hired my maids twice from it. Tel is 852 - 2851 0230, look for Miss CHENG (tell her is friend of Mrs Cheung who lives in Kornhill).

Please specify your requirements to them, say age, yrs of experiences in HK and with the same employer, etc. And they will do a first round screening for you to save your time.

Good Luck! :dance: :cheers: :cheerlead

 

[ACP]

Hi Twinkle,

I am a bit late to this forum, but just came across it. Twinkle, I am in the exact same position. I have a 15 month old and a two-week-old and I am going back to work full-time around April/May, if not earlier. I am also looking for a part-timer to help my maid out as she has admitted she won't be able to cope. My maid has been good with the 15 month old, keeps a tidy, clean house, but needs constant guidance as she has no initiative. She has fallen to pieces since I've been home from the hospital and the last couple of weeks have been pretty trying. Now I know that it would be hard even for a mom to cope with running a house and looking after two babies, but I figure that's one of the perks of living in HK -- the help. Otherwise, I may as well go back to Oz and at least I can put my toddler in childcare a couple of times a week. Anyway, it was good to hear someone else having the same problems. I have started looking for part-timers. Would like to know if you have found one and how things are working out for you.

ACP

 

[Wee Kean]

I have a part-time helper (Hong Konger). She is very good and efficient. I got her through the Labour Dept (23174567 or 28663256), no agency fee and is legal. I pay her HKD50 per hour and have her to come in twice a week for about 5 hours. The dept called two weeks later to check whether she is ok and if she is not, they will get another one for me. The only problem is she doesn't speak English (which is fine with me because I can speak Mandarin). So, if you are calling the dept, make sure you ask for a helper that can speak English. Good luck!

 

[dulce]

Hi Rafa, you can also call ReadyMaid Agency, 31882826 or 31882827 my Australian friend found an excellent nanny-helper who took Caregiver Course for a better knowledge on taking care of babies and toddlers. Their professional service is quite appreciated.

 

[Yzabelle]

Hello Twinkle,

Sent you a private message.

Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I have a 15 month old baby and another baby soon to arrive.

My helper is really good with our baby. She is gentle and caring and talks to her all day, which has really helped her development. The problem is that our helper is really not good at much else. She can't cook, doesn't do the grocery, and although she keeps the house tidy, any heavy duty cleaning doesn't really get done unless I start it on the weekends. She just can't seem to manage too many things at once.

My worry is that with two babies to care for, she will be able to manage even less around the house.

I've seen some other families with two kids and two helpers. Is that the norm? I can't really afford or justify that kind of thing.

 

[JulesW]

Dear Twinkle

I couldn't agree more with the last 2 replies. 1. You should not clean on Saturday your helper should. She is already doing very little except being a babysitter.
2.Find a new one. So many need and want jobs. Just make the schedule clear while explaining that the babies are 1st priority, but you need help catching up with cleaning on Sat.
Certainly getting a second is not the answer.