helpers/nannies - full time working parents

LeahH - my comments were not in regards to an employer's decision as to how to staff their household - but in regards to the helpers decribed in this thread as saying/acting as though this kind of work is too much for one person to do - which it simply isn't.
I'd love to see some of the helpers here faced with the size of houses common to the UK/USA/Australia which are kept clean by one person. Hey, and we managed to cook too!
 
we'll agree to differ then - I totally agree Ania's helper is definitely not overworked given the tasks that she undertakes. But in my opinion, looking after a baby (as demanding as mine), cooking and cleaning IS too much for one person to do justice to all three
 
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'justice' - my mum worked, had three kids, a big house, a dog, and we were fed, bathed, kept clean and in line, and our house was clean. No - the bathrooms and floors and kitchen were not cleaned everyday - but I don't believe this is necessary.Neither is cleaning the bathroom tiles with a toothbrush, which one aquaintence has her helper do daily.

If you have a demanding baby, then I understand the need for more help. However, HK must have one of the highest ratio of 'demanding' babies on earth, for the sheer number of employers and helpers who seem to think that more than one baby must mean more than one helper!
 
HappyV said:
However, HK must have one of the highest ratio of 'demanding' babies on earth, for the sheer number of employers and helpers who seem to think that more than one baby must mean more than one helper!
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Hahaha! HappyV, that's really funny. Reminds me of an Australian woman who is a stay at home mum/pseudo business woman where I live who complains that she's like a single mum who has to raise two kids on her own because her husband travels a lot. She's considered hiring a second helper to help out around the household since having a second baby. Must be so hard given the number of hours I've seen her hang out at the cafe!

Of course, if Ania's helper compared her situation to this woman's helper, her life is HARD! But helpers should realise that we are not equal in our needs, abilities and money making capacity! Working amongst local HK colleagues almost certainly remind me everyday that in general, DHs who have worked for expat/local families with a SAHM mother are not good matches for working families with wee ones.
 
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Interesting feedback from everyone. I take it that if you work in investment banking, like I do, your hours could be quite long. We hired a nanny and a FT helper when I returned to work. The initial helper we had whilst I was on mat leave was incompetent and worked all hours of the day and night essentially looking after 2 adults. She was unable to organise and manage her time, and so clearly the arrangement was not going to work. We replaced her swiftly.

Whilst mum's all over the world manage households and children every day, this is someone else looking after your child. It may be controversial, but I do think the comparisons are different. Perhaps you should think about making it easier for your helper if you are also using this person as your child minder on a full time basis M-F. This could mean either replacing her now with the right person - she sounds as though she has similar qualities to the person we let go, or keeping her and getting in someone additional.

At the end of the day, your little one is your most precious thing, and his/her welfare is of primary importance.
 
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