"Singaporeans work very long hours," commented a Swiss friend. 

With both parents working, the kids hardly see their parents except in the evening, if they return home early enough.  The family either eat out, eat at grandparents’ place or have a maid to cook for them.  Many families feel that having a full time maid is their solution to their many problems.

1)       The maid can help to take care of the household chores from cleaning and tidying the house.  You can enjoy your weekend instead of staying at home to do the household chores.

2)       The maid can relieve you of all the laundry - from washing, drying to ironing! 

3)       The maid can help you with the cooking and the washing there after.  You no longer have to worry about oiling utensils or queasy kitchen after cooking. 

4)      The maid will help to look after the children.  Children need a lot of attention, and drained you of your energy to keep up with them.  A maid on hand will help to relieve you when you need a break.

5)       The maid can also help to look after the old folks at home.

However, one should also consider the flip side of having a maid.  

1)      Expectations about how things are done are different.  You must be prepared to spend some time communicating, training and monitoring them, to ensure that they understand and meet your expectations.

2)    You have to be prepared to trust them with your belongings and children, especially if you don’t have another adult at home to monitor them, and during the days when the family goes on a holidays.

3)   You have to get used to someone living in your house and prepare to share your treat with them at times eg your Haagen-Dazs ice-cream or the black pepper crab from Still Road.

4)     You have to manage their requests such as requests for increment, for off-days and their mood swings.

5)     You have to be prepared to paid changes in the levy and requirement.

6)  You must be prepared to repeat the cycle every two years, as that is when their contract ends and they may or may not renew their contract with you.

7)       Is your child missing out on any essential education, when all the chores are done by the maid? Read Parenting Tips from Little Nonya.

8)       Every family member needs to have a sense of responsibility and learn that they should/can contribute to the family.  A little responsibility like doing the dishes or sweeping the floor helps a child to inculcate sense of responsibility and sense of importance other than just studying for examinations. 

9)      Doing household chores together is a great way to build teamwork and bonding within the family.  You are giving up quality opportunities to interact with your family when the maid does everything.

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