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EWmums

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ewmoda

Sick of Terrible Stories about Maids!

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574

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 14:40

So lovely to see there are also 'good news' about maids :) ... if any of the below ladies is planning to leave the UAE in the next 3-4 months, I would love to 'inherit' their nanny/maid. Please do let me know as I am looking for a (very good) one to look after our (now still unborn) baby and the house when I go back to work.

231

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 March 2011 - 15:50

I really like my maid. She is very responsible and so great with DD. We went through a rocky patch where I was getting some attitude from her (frankly I think it was courtesy of MIL's interfering), but she seems to have settled. I dont interfere in her routine because I trust her to do her stuff. The house is always clean, DD loves her and she has made my SAHM transition easy on me (after I had a 'chat' with her about attitude). I am going to miss her when we move back home (I still hope she changes her mind and comes with us).

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 21:18

Forgot to add one maid fried my electrical panel by trying to wash down the walls on my patio (where the panel was located). I know what happens when electricity and water mix. I don't expect someone who has never had electricity in er home before knowing this - I'm only thankful she didn't fry herself and that I got home before everything in the fridge/freezer was destroyed.

54

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 13:22

I'm glad somebody has put up a positive maids thread :-) I too have a wonderful helper who has been with us for 3 years and is definitely a part of the family. I actually bought her a rose on Valentine's day and she was overjoyed :-) My children adore her and its obvious that she loves them too. We treat her as an adult and she manages the house without needing to be told what to do. Very occasionally she'll sit and have a be*r with us but she seems to feel more comfortable keeping some distance in her downtime, which is understandable. We took her on a holiday with us to the UK and France as a thank you and were at great pains to explain to her and everyone else that she was on holiday and not there to work...we got plenty of funny looks from people who thought we were obviously lazy expats who couldnt be bothered to look after our own children. Ho hum, don't care, she was thoroughly delighted.

20

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 12:17

My ds actually prefers to play with our helper than with me (though I tend to think that's a negative) and she's shed a few tears whenever we leave or come back. She never complains about how much of a mess I make in the drawers no matter how recently/often she reorganizes them and always smiles. The Christmas card and gift she gave our son's birthday put us to shame with the thought and effort she put in it. She's always looking out after us, and gasps and shouts out "careful m'am" if she sees me slip or about to hurt myself (am a complete klutz). She had a big smile on her face this morning and my sunglasses in her hand when I came back in the house (I'm always forgetting something). She's been a great maid for us and hope she finds a warm family.

49

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 07:54

jag replied : DH and I sometimes come home at random times, and the house is always tidy, and the kids are quiet and being entertained.... Jag your maid is amazing ! <em>edited by salome on 10/03/2011</em>

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 21:36

I've lived in the GCC for 11 years had 3 maids and the only problems I've had is a kitchen utensil got broken (and was place carefully back in the drawer as if it wasn't) and several glasses, etc. Small stuff. In the first instance I was ticked, but only because she hadn't told me and when I went to use it, it was broken GRR. However, when she came in the next day I told her I can replace things, but I get angry when I don't know. To be honest, I'm continually amazed by the stories that I read on EW - I must be extraordinarily lucky. My maids have always had keys to the house, access to everything and stay in my home when I am on holiday to look after my pets. As I say, really lucky (or am I overdue for one of the horror stories????)

Island Girl19012

105

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 19:35

I have an agency maid twice a week and she is great. Always does a good job, is happy and polite and always goes the extra mile. I give her anything that I have no use for anymore and she greatly appreciates everything. I make sure to tip her weekly, I make her lunch the days she is here, get her a coffee when she is ironing and accepts the offer. Sometimes I pack little grocery bags for her, gave a generous bonus at Christmas and some gifts for her personally...I hope she kept them. I gave her a Birthday gift and for Valentines day, she actually made a card for our family. I think she appreciates us as much as we do her.

133

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 18:47

7th March marked our maid's 4th anniv. with us and it has been a happy time on both sides. Whilst I am not disputing for a second that some employers and some maids get right royally ripped off, by and large I think you get out of life what you put in and the same can be said for what is the closest relationship you'll have outside of your husband and your kids!!!! Let's face it, your best friend does not know what you do the minute you wake up in the morning, or how you like to arrange your underwear drawer! When I have been really ill, or had to go away, rare though those times have been, she has been worth her weight in gold to us. We'll all miss each other dreadfully but our friends who are her new employers will be good to her and her to them. Good luck with your search for a nice helper.

3

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 18:30

It is not usually the maids fault. If employers knew their place, it would make it easier for the maids to know if they could push any buttons. You are so right in everything you say when it comes to domestics!

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 18:02

Amazing! Thanks so much for this ladies - really reassuring!

108

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 16:40

This is so refreshing to read.

1052

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:59

I too have a fab housemaid, she has been with us 2 years it tok me four months to find her and have had no real issues with her at all, she is very honest and if she has a problem she will come and tell me, she is definitely part of our family, she is going home this month for a month and am already starting to panick at the thought of what i will do without her, she organises our entire family and then i look back and think well how did i do it before as i seemed to manage fine then Lol. She is always singing, can sometimes annoy me when its 6am lol, she is great with DS and my house is spotless and completely organised there is a place for eveything which is more than i ever managed when i flew solo Lol Big hooray for the good maids out there :)

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:14

I love, love, love my maid. She’s been with us for 7 years. On Valentines day she sent me a card, bless her So nice :) Sweeeet! :)

1579

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:13

I love, love, love my maid. She’s been with us for 7 years. On Valentines day she sent me a card, bless her So nice :)

Puffinlunde34121

384

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:10

I think it is important that people do their homework properly - few people in the UK would leave their baby for 8-12 hours a day with their cleaning lady - yet some people assume that their maid in Dubai is going to be Mary Poppins Obviously some maids will be great with children - but you cannot assume this without checking references and experience and preferably being at home for some of the time to observe what goes on. Maid does not always equal nanny - so if the main role is child care perhaps people would be better off hiring a nanny or looking at nurseries - but obviously these are more expensive The other thing is to make expectations clear in minute detail - it may be unrealistic to have the expectation that Maids from developing countries are going to be up to date on Western child-rearing pratice - and possibly hygiene expectations - so people need to understand that they will probably need to train the maid or nanny to care for the child the way they would like

648

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:56

I love, love, love my maid. She’s been with us for 7 years. On Valentines day she sent me a card, bless her

1238

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:54

My housemaids are funny, lovely women who are singing to my twins in the other room. They get up in the middle of the night if one of my children is sick or if I need more help. They notice when something is running out and let me know ahead of time. One of them just cooked this yummy sweet potato dish that I love just because she knows I love it.

482

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:49

Mine is in her 3rd year now. I hired her through her sister who worked in the salon that I used to frequent to. She has hers sisters, brother, cousins and auntie here in Dubai. She is good with my DD, a great help to me as a working mom, very independent and reliable. I never keep a list of things for her to do. Always tell her that her priority is DD. All DH and I want other than that is a clean house, ironed clothes and dinner ready when we get home from work. How she does it, entirely up to her and her time management. She herself is very wary about her compatriots. Hence very careful in choosing her own friends. She never complain or whine about her work, salary or anything. Once in a blue moon she would ask me if she could stay overnight at her sisters or friend (who I also know). DD loves her but when I am home or at weekends, she only want to be with me.....pheww, I guess ;) So yeah....there are wonderful maids out there.

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:26

It is not usually the maids fault. If employers knew their place, it would make it easier for the maids to know if they could push any buttons.

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:23

Thanks ladies - this is lovely and reassuring to read. I am just about to embark on hiring one to look after my little lad and coming from childminder land in the UK it's a bit daunting. However, reading posts like these puts my mind at rest x

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:08

My maid is fine. 6 years in April. only time I get mad is when she has her senior moments and cannot remember things and when she eats all of my expensive honey and does not tell me until the day I come home with a crusty roll to have a treat and find it all gone....when there is loads of other kinds of honey there. She can pre-empt most things. When she hears me yelling away and being totally unreasonable, she stocks up the kotex cupboard in the bathroom. Generally, her only intention is to please (yes...we prodded her into submission..lol).

120

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:02

We have a great maid, both my kids love her to bits... When she leaves in the evening (she has her own accommodation entrance) DD cries and wants to go with her. DH and I sometimes come home at random times, and the house is always tidy, and the kids are quiet and being entertained.... Can't say the same for when I'm looking after them ;) I am very happy, and would be lost without her. In return we treat her as an adult, don't micro manage and just let her get on with things. She has never asked for anything from us and has never taken a sick day or been late for work, or wanted to leave early... I would hate to lose her.

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 13:47

My maid is also really good! She is on vacation at the moment and I really miss her...She has been such a great help to our family:)

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 13:40

I am so sick of terrible stories about what maids do (steal, hit the kids, have ***, etc.). What about the good maids out there? Why are they not talked about? Is it because it is juicier or more interesting to talk about bad maids? I have a wonderful Ethiopian maid that's truely a part of the family - she's been with us for 5 years now and the kids are really attached to her. It makes my stomach turn when I hear about maids beating helpless children. For those parents who leave their kids with anyone, nannycams are a MUST! But if you have a good maid, let's give a little encouragement by sharing good stories - no matter how boring they are - just to give a little hope to all moms out there

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