Thanks fairycakeyumm. I did think of that, but if she uses the mobile to make/receive personal calls then I'm not sure what would stop her using my landline? At least the mobile is capped with whatever I pay for the charge card - the landline calls could run all month and end up costing us a fortune. It is a really difficult situation as she is great with my baby.
She went to bed early last night, so we are having the chat with her tonight. We will be firm, but pleasant about it and say that if she uses this credit up then it will be taken out of her house money for next month and if this continues to be a problem we will tell Howdra (which would mean she would get a fine).
I hate having to deal with this kind of thing. Cringe!!!
We have had our permanent Howdra maid for two weeks now and it is still a rocky ride. It is the first time we have had a live in maid, but we had been using Howdra to provide us with a weekly cleaner (who was excellent!) for about 8 months.
Our maid is nice enough, but has started to get comfortable already. We gave her a mobile phone so that she can contact us in emergencies and in 10 days she has used up all 120Dhs credit we put on it (we had already given her 75Dhs of phone cards so she could call home). We warned her once already, so tonight we have to give her a second warning to stop using the phone to call home everyday.
I was expecting a more 'switched on' maid, as I have had to show her how to do everything and I think Howdra kind of just dump them here with little help on adjusting to a new life in Dubai.
At the moment I don't know whether or not I'm going to keep her.
Not sure if this helps!
Well we have just got back from the holiday - and it went really well!
In response to Daza and Sue62....my personal opinion is that if the children are happy enough with it (which they were as we asked them beforehand) and we (my husband and I) felt comfortable with it - then I was prepared to give it a go. The children are old enough (and vocal enough!) that they would have shouted out if they thought something inappropriate or dangerous was taking place. They got on really well with her, played games together in the evening and we all had a great holiday.
Our maid only had to help me with the baby for a few hours in the morning or afternoon (so I could actually get to see the beach and have a quick swim) and she seemed happy with the situation. She ate all her meals with us (her choice) and she spent time sitting and chatting with us when we didn't need her just so she could learn more about us. I actually think the holiday has been good for us as I feel I understand her a little better (strengths and weaknesses) and she has really developed her relationship with our baby.
Sue62 - your response comes across as a little judgemental and what do you mean by: "Actually, I wouldn't make them sleep with anyone like this..." Our maid is a person at at the end of the day. She might come from a different background than us, but that doesn't mean she is a savage unsafe to sleep in the same room as children. People all over the world get help from au pairs, nannies, maids etc. Also - when I said I would give her most of the day off, what I meant is that I would look after the children and she can sit, relax and have a soft drink with us, join in with the beach games or just sit and observe us so she gets to know us better. Each child has a different personality, likes/dislikes, etc and she needs to learn how to handle each one of them. Watching how 'mum and dad' do it is a good learning experience.
Thanks for all your comments everyone, much appreciated.
Hi There!
I just moved to Dubai with my husband last week and am due to have my first baby on Nov 9th 2011. Nothing like jumping in at the deep end!
My husband starts his new job tomorrow (with Emirates Airline) and I am going to be bored! I don't see any 'bumps & babes' classes scheduled anytime soon? Are there any coffee mornings scheduled that some of you November mum-to-be's might be going to? Would love to meet up!
Thanks!
