Hello.. We were at the same crossroad previously and we eventually hired a domestic helper. Our girl is 2.5yo now and #2 is coming out on June 2019. Our girl started going toddler class at 18 months old, full day.
We decided on domestic helper as we felt that it’s more cost savings. Coz it’s also all in one, baby and housework all settled. But of course it comes with a risk too. Personally I feel hiring a helper is very dependent on luck. This helper has been with us for 3 years Liao. And we are very happy with her. She loves kids too. And it’s also very convenient to have her around.
Anyway, to answer your concerns:
To hire helper:
1) Having another person at home: yes you are right and sometimes it poses inconvenience also. It just feels weird. But you will get used to it. It took us quite a while to get use. We will talk things out immediately and clear any misunderstandings when we feel anything wrong. What I can suggest is you can also set rules with your helper before hand.
2) Alone with kid: We did not have much concern about this and we didn’t install cameras at home. I will just tell her what I need her help with before I leave house. I won’t tell her when I will come home, so will just pop in whenever. This gives her no time to prepare if she is really up to anything funny. We do go out late at night, leaving only her and Bay at home. Suggestion is you can install camera at home.
3) Taking easy way out: This can be coached. You can let the helper know what is your preferred way of stopping baby from crying. And provide feedback to the helper as necessary.
4) Bond w Parents: Not true. What we did is once we are back from work, we will take over all the baby duties such as showering, change diaper, feeding, playing etc. Helper will just concentrate on cleaning duties, if nothing to do, then we let her go rest. Our girl now is 2yo and she’s closer to us than helper. She will look for us for things instead of helper.
Infant Care:
1) Rigid Schedule: Yeap you are right. Need to fetch before 7pm (not sure is it same for all childcare centre) otherwise will have to pay fine. Then at times if need to OT at work, gotta worry nobody fetch baby. I basically have to leave work at 6pm sharp so as not to be late.
2) Falling Sick: Yeap, right too. But no choice and anyway, the child will eventually build up immunity and lesser chance of falling sick. We gave our girl multi vitamins. Works well so far. But only worry is when outbreak of HFMD 😂
We feel it all boils down to trust and communication. Whether is it helper or infant care. Also we need to Ensure that our helper do have work life balance, just like ourselves.
This are just my experiences and personal point of view. You should go with the choice that you are most comfortable with.
Hope this helps 😊
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