I hired a maid yesterday (and yes, the term here is maid). Since we arrived in Riyadh, we've fielded up to 10 calls a day from maids looking for work. Yes, word gets around when a new family moves into the compound. The going rate for help is $6.00 an hour for housecleaning or childcare. I've hired "Anna" to come 3 times a week to help with a lot of the heavy cleaning.
But I kind of feel guilty about it. I don't have a problem with people hiring help to clean their homes. I have friends who have help. My mom has a cleaner come in once a week. Really, it's cool. But for me???? Yikes! Am I being lazy? Am I providing yet another opportunity for my kids to be lazy and fail to learn the value of hard work? Or am I doing the right and moral thing by hiring someone? I know I will treat them well and decently, which isn't something that is always guaranteed by other employers.
Input please!
Welcome to the South African (the Other S.A. :D ) housewives' dilemma! I haven't lived in South Africa for ten years and I still miss my maid SOOO much! It doesn't make you lazy. It frees up time to do other things. There is only so much one can learn from scrubbing a loo. After the thousandth time, if someone else can earn a living doing it and be better off working for you than for someone else, and you can spend the time doing something more productive, go for it. Guilt is a waste of time in this situation!! Just enjoy it, because you are totally going to miss it when you get back to the USA.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly I've been on both sides! At a time when I had all very young children my husband hired a teen to come in once a week and clean for me. It was a huge blessing and helped me through some trying years. When same husband was in college for a career change and we had five teen and preteens I worked as a house cleaner and helped to make our ends meet during that challenging time. I was so glad that someone would hire me. I've longed envied the women of the nineteenth century where it was common to have a "mother's helper" live in and assist the homemaker with various duties. It certainly does free up time to do other and hopefully more important tasks and service.
ReplyDeleteHey for $6/hour, I'd do it! They can still help out. My grandma often had a housekeeper (had 7 kids, too), and my mom turned out superb!
ReplyDeleteWell, if nothing else, give it a try! You'll know soon if it doesn't feel right...but I have to say I'm jealous! I would totally do it if I were you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it while it lasts and don't let yourself worry about it. There will be plenty of years where you don't have one.
ReplyDeleteif it's within your budget GO FOR IT! why waste your time cleaning when you can be doing so many other worthwhile things! there will still be plenty of work to do, and you can have the kids help with that. i used to have a cleaner and oh how i miss her! there is too much manual labor in the home!
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