I have had a maid since before my toddler was born and its great.
When my maid went home for her two week holiday, I thought "I can manage no problem." Then my husband had to go away on a business trip for a week and I had an awful time I realised how much it helps having another person around or at least another pair of hands.
Washing machine broke down, could not get hold of landlord to organise repair so had to handwash everything. I was getting up at 6am to do that whilst child slept. Then wake toddler up early, give her a drink, put her in the pushchair to take dog out for a walk before it gets too hot, come back and do breakfast for her/shower her etc. Then try and finish off handwashing clothes.
Go out and buy groceries, come back hot and bothered.
Dishwasher breaks down on day two. Full dishwasher had to be emptied and everything washed again by hand.
Day three, dog is ill, require treatment by vet. Have to wake up real early with child, to walk dog, feed/bathe child. No one to leave child with. Leave home at 8.30am, to drive across town to vets. Find parking space, walk excited dog and toddler (not in pushchair) up stairs to vets. Fail to control both dog and child in exam room. Child wondered off into another room (to confront the biggest Rottie I have ever seen), get her back, dog has escaped into waiting room.
Finally leave vets with dog/child/large bag of dog food to get back to car, down the stairs/ cross the road etc. Try and put them both in the car without one of them running off and getting killed.
When child sleeps I am racing around sweeping floors (have to be done daily due to the dogs hairs) and mopping etc our 3 level house. Then tackle ironing. Child wakes, go out again, walk dog to park so child can play. Come home and have to prepare evening meal (which I have completely fogotten about).
Then its the evening bath/bed routine. After that wash and dry up dishes. Clean kitchen/tidy up toys. Remember to get mail from mailbox. Then collapse into bed at 9.30 exhausted.
Limited abililty to go take child to playdates, have to be back to feed dog. Also dog is frightened of thunder so if weather looks dodgy have to stay home to ensure he doesn't wreck the furniture. Not prepared to leave him in yard in hot weather tied up all afternoon.
So I'm afraid I am sticking with having a maid, given my husband can't be relied upon to be here at any given time. I would love the luxury of having family nearby-I envy the Singaporean family structure where people are close to help out. At least this way, my child has a regular care giver to watch her if I go out and I don't have to use a mottley collection of neighbours/local teenagers/friends/anyone I can find in an emergency. Dog can stay at home in his usual environment if we go on holiday and he isn't likely to catch kennel cough or anything else from being in kennels. Someone in the house to take in deliveries/mail etc. Also when we get back from a trip there is fresh milk/bread etc in the fridge and often a meal in the oven.
As we may only be in Singapore for a short time this is a one off luxury that I shall dream about when we return home sometime.
