two maids

[hilly]

I'm about to go back to work fulltime, hubby travels for work all over asia (back on weekends) and we have two young daughters who just started at UWC this year. We have one helper and are considering getting a second as I won't be around as much as I used to be to run things at home. Anyone done this? Any pointers on having two maids versus just the one?

For us the decision to consider two maids is based on:
* Building a more reliable support network (if something happens to the first maid, ie. sick, home leave, resigns etc) then we have a back up, given I won't be as available as I am now with being at work fulltime
* Given this is unskilled labour, two heads seem better than one
* It likely gives us more flexibility on weekends with having one maid available at home 24/7 (we envisage they wouldn't have the same day off)

Pointers? Advice? Thanks!

[tasker]

is there enough work for two maids? how young are your kids? how much time will they spend in school? how about getting a part-timer, to come twice a week perhaps to help in ironing and other tasks?

[What if]

What if they spend a big chunk of their time chatting and not working.  In the end the two will do less than 1.  Maybe get two maids from different nationalities.

[Done that]

I would not recommend you get 2 different nationalities - this will cause untold grief.  You wouldn't believe snobby pecking order between maids from different countries.

The one thing that you must do is establish a head maid and a second maid or they will do nothing but fight like hell.  The best arrangement we had was a head maid then the second maid was always a relative and a lot younger.  Give the head maid the responsibility and I assure you she will love being 'boss' and usually, run everything extremely well.

[sji mum]

I agree with done that.

Get your first maid to find a relative or friend .

Establish clear roles and responsibilities.

eg Maid 1 in charge of the upstairs , cooking
Maid 2 in charge of laundry, childcare

[we used]

to have two maids (sisters) worked like a charm.
You need to be clear on responsibilities and have a senior maid and junior maid.
relatives works well in my experience

[Dansk]

Agree with above posters. Have your maid choose the second, she will likely look for a relative. I interviewed a couple of maids myself and among those who wanted to leave their current employer, they often mentioned not getting along well with other maid. If your kids are over 8 years or so I'd rather consider a part timer who can come in in addition.

[hilly]

fabulous advice! thanks so much. Our girls are 4 and just turned 6. We will do the part timer but not just yet - another 2 or 3 years maybe. For now, agree with head vs junior maid, relatives if we can get it, and same nationality. Thanks a bunch,

[hijk]

I see a potential problem, not a deal breaker perhaps - but not many maids are going to be happy taking a day other than Sunday as their day off.  What are they going to do?  None of their friends will be off to spend time with them.  Just saying.

[Not really true]

There are quite a few that have Saturday off...you can see them in Lucky Plaza and out and about.  However, you can always just alternate the day they have off, unlikely to be a deal breaker especially if they're bringing a relative over from the Philippines.

[Danks]

we give our maid off a couple of hours on Saturday, too. Usually we are out and about as a family. In return she would babysit in the evening if we go out. She is very happy about this. Maybe you could do smtg similar with yours, I suppose you don't need a maid the whole day on Sundays, so you can alternate and the one who works on Sundays just works a couple of hours and then can go out.

[done that]

why not give one the sunday morning off and the other the sunday Afternoon off?

That way you will also still have one around if you need a cup of tea? or a newspaper

[reality check!]

seriously, if you cannot manage your own children for one day of the week without a helper you shouldn't have children.

[hijk]

Yes, I must admit, I completely agree with the PP.  Your excuse for needing two maids is that you will be working and your husband travels a lot.  Fair enough I suppose.  But really and truly, just because you have two, doesn't mean that you should always have at least one at your beck and call.  I assume that your new job is not a 7 day a week affair.  You will be able to care for your own kids on a Sunday, just as I assume you do now, even if your husband does happen to be away.  I mean, come on!

[agree with reality check]

Wow. Seeking 24/7 coverage? Does make one wonder how some people will settle back into life in their home countries when 24/7 help is not available!