This is freaking coincidental. Maybe Auntie can understand us all the whole and had been eavesdropping but act blur.
Yday morning, I was expressing and Popo was taking care of both kids bcos they both rejected auntie. She asked to talk to me, telling me that both kids dislike her. Long story short, I asked her if she wanted to go back to the agent and she wanted after short consideration. This was also what happened the last time. She popped the question just when we were about to send her back. It makes sending her back easier. I mean, sacking people is never easy mah.
I have the intention to let auntie go earlier. She's not helping much and I dont think the way she is being treated now is healthy. Popo is vert harsh on her despite my numerous reminders. I guessed that is also bcos she is very tired and frustrated chasing the 2 kids while the maid "sees only". I lose my cool easily on her too.
My only problem now is that I am not sure if the new maid is coming. Popo is quite confident that she can do without a maid for a little while. But if the new auntie cannot come in, we have to choose another maid and that will take another 2 to 3 weeks!!! I don't think Popo can tahan that long.
I am with the mentality that this will be the last maid for a while. If things still don't work out, I am thinking of going maidless for awhile and send both kids to the childcare. Well, at least they can both go to the same childcare and have companionship.
Mummy Lim
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Still No New Auntie
The new maid is supposed to fly in today. However, the agent called to say that she is unable to get her immigration clearance paper. She will probably come in next Wednesday instead. My heart almost stopped when the agent called and said that she has bad news. Well, at least the new maid is still coming... I hope.
So how is NRT? The kids still dislike her very much, especially Lil Isaac. He whines the moment auntie tries to lure him away. Lil Isaac prefers my bro's maid than auntie. I was told that he will ask my bro's maid to play with him.
Interestingly, jiejie became more independent. Popo says that jiejie chose to do things on her own than asking auntie to help.
I seldom crossed paths with auntie recently bcos I was so busy at work and had been a little late. I very much enjoy the kids in the night. Now, auntie totally doesn't help out with the kids after they bathed. Nobody wants her.
Haiz, the new maid must come.
Mummy Lim
So how is NRT? The kids still dislike her very much, especially Lil Isaac. He whines the moment auntie tries to lure him away. Lil Isaac prefers my bro's maid than auntie. I was told that he will ask my bro's maid to play with him.
Interestingly, jiejie became more independent. Popo says that jiejie chose to do things on her own than asking auntie to help.
I seldom crossed paths with auntie recently bcos I was so busy at work and had been a little late. I very much enjoy the kids in the night. Now, auntie totally doesn't help out with the kids after they bathed. Nobody wants her.
Haiz, the new maid must come.
Mummy Lim
Sunday, March 11, 2012
L
Just this week, Lil Isaac fell while under Auntie's charge. He sustained a horizontal blue black bruise across his cheek. Poor boy. He is always knocking into here and there and getting bruises. Haiz.
I made Auntie called the agency and asked the agent to knock some sense into her. Sadly, nothing changes after that phone call. I was too tired that day to scold her after work. We are all just enduring and yearning for that day to come, the day when we can finally send her back.
Yday, we brought Lil Isaac for his gym class and were in Marina Square. Jiejie was fussing for a pair of new shoes bcos I forgot Lil Isaac's shoes and bought him a pair. We were in Crocs and Popo was helping to look after the tiger, who was walking and exploring, walking in and out of the store. Auntie has this crazy habit to "fight" for Lil Isaac, despite the fact that the boy hates her. He often ends up crying or struggling to pry away from her hold after a while.
It was only a little while later and we heard Lil Isaac crying. We went out of the store and saw Auntie carrying a Lil Isaac who was crying badly. He had an angry red bruise across his face. Apparently, he started running (from auntie??), fell and crashed into the railing. Arrrggghhhh.
We had to stop the shoes buying, which upset jiejie and she started crying too. Duh!!! Daddy Lim had just arrived at MS and we had to carry 2 crying kids to go find him.
I was so pissed with Auntie, who didn't at all look apologetic or guilty. After I scolded her, she was still trying to explain! The beat part? She still looked exactly expressionless, as if the incident was just a bad dream and didn't happen at all. I really wanted to leave her in the mall and not bring her home or send her back to the agency immediately.
I had thought about going maidless until the new one is here. Popo was very against the idea bcos school holidays starts tomorrow and even though Auntie is close to useless, she can still help to do simple housework and keep an eye on the kids in desperate situations.
I am going to the agency today to rush them for the new maid. The idea of sending her back is still playing in my head. I really hope that the new maid will be better and really envy my brother's luck. His maid is really good with both housework and kids. Boohoo.
The 2nd fall left another long bruise on the same side of Lil Isaac's face. It is almost perpendicular to the first bruise, forming a big L. Heartache.
How? How? How?
Mummy Lim
I made Auntie called the agency and asked the agent to knock some sense into her. Sadly, nothing changes after that phone call. I was too tired that day to scold her after work. We are all just enduring and yearning for that day to come, the day when we can finally send her back.
Yday, we brought Lil Isaac for his gym class and were in Marina Square. Jiejie was fussing for a pair of new shoes bcos I forgot Lil Isaac's shoes and bought him a pair. We were in Crocs and Popo was helping to look after the tiger, who was walking and exploring, walking in and out of the store. Auntie has this crazy habit to "fight" for Lil Isaac, despite the fact that the boy hates her. He often ends up crying or struggling to pry away from her hold after a while.
It was only a little while later and we heard Lil Isaac crying. We went out of the store and saw Auntie carrying a Lil Isaac who was crying badly. He had an angry red bruise across his face. Apparently, he started running (from auntie??), fell and crashed into the railing. Arrrggghhhh.
We had to stop the shoes buying, which upset jiejie and she started crying too. Duh!!! Daddy Lim had just arrived at MS and we had to carry 2 crying kids to go find him.
I was so pissed with Auntie, who didn't at all look apologetic or guilty. After I scolded her, she was still trying to explain! The beat part? She still looked exactly expressionless, as if the incident was just a bad dream and didn't happen at all. I really wanted to leave her in the mall and not bring her home or send her back to the agency immediately.
I had thought about going maidless until the new one is here. Popo was very against the idea bcos school holidays starts tomorrow and even though Auntie is close to useless, she can still help to do simple housework and keep an eye on the kids in desperate situations.
I am going to the agency today to rush them for the new maid. The idea of sending her back is still playing in my head. I really hope that the new maid will be better and really envy my brother's luck. His maid is really good with both housework and kids. Boohoo.
The 2nd fall left another long bruise on the same side of Lil Isaac's face. It is almost perpendicular to the first bruise, forming a big L. Heartache.
How? How? How?
Mummy Lim
Friday, March 9, 2012
Maid Woes Again
I have chosen my new maid and MOM has given me the In-Principle Approval. The agency informed me on Wednesday and told me that the new maid should be here in 2 weeks’ time but they will try to expedite.
Auntie is getting from bad to worse and more and more block headed. Both kids are rejecting her more and more. Just a few days ago, on top of the usual “Auntie-doesn’t-play-with-me” complaint, jiejie told me that Auntie doesn’t understand her even after she repeats herself to Auntie and speaks slowly. Yes, that came from a 3.5 years old. Now, both of them refused to let Auntie helps them and stick to us when we are home or stick to Popo otherwise. Poor Popo. It is frustrating enuff to be bugged by 2 fussing kids. Auntie adds on by constantly asking Popo why the kids dont like her and how to make them like her. Duh!
Popo is tired. When jiejie is in school, Popo hawks over Lil Isaac and brings him along when she needs to run errands. She doesn’t trust Auntie. Lil Isaac continues to fuss most of the time when under auntie’s charge. According to Popo, Auntie spent all her time “trying” to watch over Lil Isaac while in Centris. Bcos she did so badly with housework, they stopped asking her to help. So when Lil Isaac naps in the afternoon, she stands or sits beside the cot up to 3 hours. -________-“
Auntie seems to lose all initiatives. Ask and she does them, otherwise, she just gong gong and stands around. Haiz.. I try not to scold her, telling myself that we are counting down and it soon will be over. I told Popo the same thing too.
Yday was another ultimatum. Popo went to the toilet and left Lil Isaac in Auntie’s charge. Popo heard Lil Isaac crying and when she asked Auntie if Lil Isaac fell, Aunite said “NO”. But Lil Isaac got a blue black streak on his cheek and only when Popo asked how did the blue black come about that Auntie admitted that Lil Isaac fell. See, she is starting to lie too.
I made her call the agent and asked the agent to scold her. Popo said that she was on the phone for awhile but the phone call didn’t seem to help cos there was no improvement after that. Auntie got scolded again after that incident when she allowed Lil Isaac, who isn’t very steady in his steps, to walk around with a sharp pointed toy in his hands. Auntie tried to apologise and explain to Daddy Lim and me in the night. Popo wanted us to scold her. I had a bad day at work and couldn’t be bothered to talk or put on an act for Auntie.
We are really counting down. We are not sure if the new maid will be better but I really pray so. Regardless, we just need to be away from Auntie. Our patience is running thin and whatever that she does now is starting to irk us. Oh, did you read about the new ruling that requires all employers to give their maid one day off a week starting on 1 Jan 13? The maid may be compensated with pay to work on her off days, subject to mutual agreement but the amount will definitely be higher than the $20 per month now. Maid’s salary has increased about $150 since a year ago. With inflation, it is now more expensive to feed and clothe the maid and we have to pay more to compensate the offday in the future. The maid might not even be good and I am not even hoping for a fantastic maid. I think I can laugh if I get an OK maid.
Somehow, I wonder if it is time to look at Childcare Centers (CC) again. I will save more if I send both kids to an average range CC and save myself a lot more headache over maid issues. I am just waiting for Lil Isaac to grow up a little bit more. It seems so sad for him to enter full day CC when he is so young now. Of course, I am also hoping that it will be easier to handle them on my own when they are a little older. I have never tried bringing them out on my own before. With Daddy Lim having to work on most weekends, it would then mean that we will be cooped at home unless Popo helps. That is my only hurdle and why I am still with a maid now. Can cry.
Mummy Lim
Auntie is getting from bad to worse and more and more block headed. Both kids are rejecting her more and more. Just a few days ago, on top of the usual “Auntie-doesn’t-play-with-me” complaint, jiejie told me that Auntie doesn’t understand her even after she repeats herself to Auntie and speaks slowly. Yes, that came from a 3.5 years old. Now, both of them refused to let Auntie helps them and stick to us when we are home or stick to Popo otherwise. Poor Popo. It is frustrating enuff to be bugged by 2 fussing kids. Auntie adds on by constantly asking Popo why the kids dont like her and how to make them like her. Duh!
Popo is tired. When jiejie is in school, Popo hawks over Lil Isaac and brings him along when she needs to run errands. She doesn’t trust Auntie. Lil Isaac continues to fuss most of the time when under auntie’s charge. According to Popo, Auntie spent all her time “trying” to watch over Lil Isaac while in Centris. Bcos she did so badly with housework, they stopped asking her to help. So when Lil Isaac naps in the afternoon, she stands or sits beside the cot up to 3 hours. -________-“
Auntie seems to lose all initiatives. Ask and she does them, otherwise, she just gong gong and stands around. Haiz.. I try not to scold her, telling myself that we are counting down and it soon will be over. I told Popo the same thing too.
Yday was another ultimatum. Popo went to the toilet and left Lil Isaac in Auntie’s charge. Popo heard Lil Isaac crying and when she asked Auntie if Lil Isaac fell, Aunite said “NO”. But Lil Isaac got a blue black streak on his cheek and only when Popo asked how did the blue black come about that Auntie admitted that Lil Isaac fell. See, she is starting to lie too.
I made her call the agent and asked the agent to scold her. Popo said that she was on the phone for awhile but the phone call didn’t seem to help cos there was no improvement after that. Auntie got scolded again after that incident when she allowed Lil Isaac, who isn’t very steady in his steps, to walk around with a sharp pointed toy in his hands. Auntie tried to apologise and explain to Daddy Lim and me in the night. Popo wanted us to scold her. I had a bad day at work and couldn’t be bothered to talk or put on an act for Auntie.
We are really counting down. We are not sure if the new maid will be better but I really pray so. Regardless, we just need to be away from Auntie. Our patience is running thin and whatever that she does now is starting to irk us. Oh, did you read about the new ruling that requires all employers to give their maid one day off a week starting on 1 Jan 13? The maid may be compensated with pay to work on her off days, subject to mutual agreement but the amount will definitely be higher than the $20 per month now. Maid’s salary has increased about $150 since a year ago. With inflation, it is now more expensive to feed and clothe the maid and we have to pay more to compensate the offday in the future. The maid might not even be good and I am not even hoping for a fantastic maid. I think I can laugh if I get an OK maid.
Somehow, I wonder if it is time to look at Childcare Centers (CC) again. I will save more if I send both kids to an average range CC and save myself a lot more headache over maid issues. I am just waiting for Lil Isaac to grow up a little bit more. It seems so sad for him to enter full day CC when he is so young now. Of course, I am also hoping that it will be easier to handle them on my own when they are a little older. I have never tried bringing them out on my own before. With Daddy Lim having to work on most weekends, it would then mean that we will be cooped at home unless Popo helps. That is my only hurdle and why I am still with a maid now. Can cry.
Mummy Lim
My Sleep
It is working… It is not working… It should work, it is going to work, it must work.
The kids’ new bed came 2 weeks ago. I have been sleeping with them for the past 2 weeks and Daddy Lim is enjoying our big bed. Jiejie has only slept in her deck 3x. The 2nd time, she voluntarily slept in it but only to wet herself and ended up sleeping with us in the lower deck in the middle of the night. Last night, she fell asleep on our bed (masterbed room) and Daddy Lim helped to put her on her deck after putting on a diaper for her. I was too tired to wake her up for pee in the middle of the night and I probably lack the strength to carry her off the deck, to the toilet and put her back onto the deck. Digressing, she is still not toilet trained in the night. She sometimes still sleeps in her pee spot and definitely doesn’t wake up to use the toilet. Just a few nights ago, she peed on my mattress…
I had been sleeping with Lil Isaac. I am not sure if it is bcos he is not comfortable with the sleeping arrangement or that he is still having flu, but he wakes up very often in the night! For the past 2 weeks, he has NEVER failed to wake up for milk once a night even when he went to bed late. On top of that, he moves around so very often. I woke up when he stirred “violently”. And he crawls around on the bed and onto the floor to don’t know where. He even started walking out of the room and I had to chase after him in my half-awake state.
Last night was a typical night. He went to bed at 9+pm. Auntie woke me up at 1.30am bcos Lil Isaac has crawled out of his bed to the floor. I gave him his milk and tucked him back to bed. He woke up and started crawling and walking again at 3.30am. He managed to sleep without milk. He woke up again intermittently since 5am. I went to express at 5.50am in the living room and saw him walking out of the room, probably looking for me at about 6am. Popo was trying to tuck him back to bed when we left the house.
I am zombified after the frequently interrupted sleep but I am persevering on. Popo teased that the upper deck is underutilized. That is even after we invested in expensive Ariel bedsheet, cute night light and a princess-print blanket. I think Lil Shauna is still not used to sleeping on her own after sleeping with us for the last 4 years. I had thought that I can start escaping back to my bed in the middle of the night after the first few nights with them but I think it will take a long while. It will work.. one day.
Mummy Lim
The kids’ new bed came 2 weeks ago. I have been sleeping with them for the past 2 weeks and Daddy Lim is enjoying our big bed. Jiejie has only slept in her deck 3x. The 2nd time, she voluntarily slept in it but only to wet herself and ended up sleeping with us in the lower deck in the middle of the night. Last night, she fell asleep on our bed (masterbed room) and Daddy Lim helped to put her on her deck after putting on a diaper for her. I was too tired to wake her up for pee in the middle of the night and I probably lack the strength to carry her off the deck, to the toilet and put her back onto the deck. Digressing, she is still not toilet trained in the night. She sometimes still sleeps in her pee spot and definitely doesn’t wake up to use the toilet. Just a few nights ago, she peed on my mattress…
I had been sleeping with Lil Isaac. I am not sure if it is bcos he is not comfortable with the sleeping arrangement or that he is still having flu, but he wakes up very often in the night! For the past 2 weeks, he has NEVER failed to wake up for milk once a night even when he went to bed late. On top of that, he moves around so very often. I woke up when he stirred “violently”. And he crawls around on the bed and onto the floor to don’t know where. He even started walking out of the room and I had to chase after him in my half-awake state.
Last night was a typical night. He went to bed at 9+pm. Auntie woke me up at 1.30am bcos Lil Isaac has crawled out of his bed to the floor. I gave him his milk and tucked him back to bed. He woke up and started crawling and walking again at 3.30am. He managed to sleep without milk. He woke up again intermittently since 5am. I went to express at 5.50am in the living room and saw him walking out of the room, probably looking for me at about 6am. Popo was trying to tuck him back to bed when we left the house.
I am zombified after the frequently interrupted sleep but I am persevering on. Popo teased that the upper deck is underutilized. That is even after we invested in expensive Ariel bedsheet, cute night light and a princess-print blanket. I think Lil Shauna is still not used to sleeping on her own after sleeping with us for the last 4 years. I had thought that I can start escaping back to my bed in the middle of the night after the first few nights with them but I think it will take a long while. It will work.. one day.
Mummy Lim
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Take your Pick
Auntie is either:
(a) stupid;
(b) trying to drive us crazy; and/or
(c) thinks that we are too free and wants to create more work for us.
This morning, Lil Isaac woke up at sixish, while we were preparing for work. He was fussing while Popo tried to make him sleep somemore and I took over. Popo didn't want auntie to distract Lil Isaac and asked her to stop what she was doing. So what did she do while I was trying to rock Lil Isaac back to dreamland? She stood about 1m away and stared at us the entire time. Great... Didn't it come to her mind that she can continue to do some quiet work in the kitchen, out of Lil Isaac's sight? Apparently not.
Lil Isaac refused to sleep and refused to let auntie to even touch him. He too refused to play toys with auntie. Popo was washing up and I brought him to the room and Daddy Lim kept an eye on him when I washed up too.
Thinking that Popo was done, I brought Lil Isaac out and had to leave Lil Isaac in auntie's charge bcos Popo was still occupied. Lil Isaac started crying until I buey tahan and took him back into the room again. He quieten down almost immediately.
Popo was finally ready and took over a fussing Lil Isaac while we prepared to leave the house. Popo managed to coax him.
Then this auntie was probably trying to show me that she's making an effort. So she kept trying to take Lil Isaac from Popo. Lil Isaac started fussing the moment auntie walked near and Popo kept moving away to appease Lil Isaac and auntie kept chasing them. Arggghhhhh. Then auntie changed tactic and tried to entice Lil Isaac with toys. Lil Isaac just didn't want her in his sight and fussed the moment auntie came near. She just simply didn't get it even when Popo kept moving away and kept chasing them.
Finally, Lil Isaac started crying and she was still there, cornering Popo and Lil Isaac with that silly toy! I cannot take it anymore and asked her what she was trying to do. Can't she see that she was not helping? Where else does she want to force Popo to escape to? That was when she finally stopped. Popo escaped to the room and I left the house.
I really dont know what is in her head. It is not as if she has a way with the kids. She just keeps wanting to try yet unable to win the kids' heart and making them cry and fuss in the process. We end up salvaging the even more difficult situation.
Breathe, breathe.. Count down, count down. S**t, I have to be stuck with her and 2 kids in the afternoon at Marina Square. Daddy Lim will be working late today and Popo is occupied with my brother's family. -.o"
Mummy Lim
(a) stupid;
(b) trying to drive us crazy; and/or
(c) thinks that we are too free and wants to create more work for us.
This morning, Lil Isaac woke up at sixish, while we were preparing for work. He was fussing while Popo tried to make him sleep somemore and I took over. Popo didn't want auntie to distract Lil Isaac and asked her to stop what she was doing. So what did she do while I was trying to rock Lil Isaac back to dreamland? She stood about 1m away and stared at us the entire time. Great... Didn't it come to her mind that she can continue to do some quiet work in the kitchen, out of Lil Isaac's sight? Apparently not.
Lil Isaac refused to sleep and refused to let auntie to even touch him. He too refused to play toys with auntie. Popo was washing up and I brought him to the room and Daddy Lim kept an eye on him when I washed up too.
Thinking that Popo was done, I brought Lil Isaac out and had to leave Lil Isaac in auntie's charge bcos Popo was still occupied. Lil Isaac started crying until I buey tahan and took him back into the room again. He quieten down almost immediately.
Popo was finally ready and took over a fussing Lil Isaac while we prepared to leave the house. Popo managed to coax him.
Then this auntie was probably trying to show me that she's making an effort. So she kept trying to take Lil Isaac from Popo. Lil Isaac started fussing the moment auntie walked near and Popo kept moving away to appease Lil Isaac and auntie kept chasing them. Arggghhhhh. Then auntie changed tactic and tried to entice Lil Isaac with toys. Lil Isaac just didn't want her in his sight and fussed the moment auntie came near. She just simply didn't get it even when Popo kept moving away and kept chasing them.
Finally, Lil Isaac started crying and she was still there, cornering Popo and Lil Isaac with that silly toy! I cannot take it anymore and asked her what she was trying to do. Can't she see that she was not helping? Where else does she want to force Popo to escape to? That was when she finally stopped. Popo escaped to the room and I left the house.
I really dont know what is in her head. It is not as if she has a way with the kids. She just keeps wanting to try yet unable to win the kids' heart and making them cry and fuss in the process. We end up salvaging the even more difficult situation.
Breathe, breathe.. Count down, count down. S**t, I have to be stuck with her and 2 kids in the afternoon at Marina Square. Daddy Lim will be working late today and Popo is occupied with my brother's family. -.o"
Mummy Lim
Friday, March 2, 2012
New Maid
We signed the Agreement for the new maid yday. We were deciding if we should take a transferred INDO maid from another agency. She was sent back after 2 months and her agency (which my SIL used) recommended her. However, it would mean that we have to spend $388 in agency fees on top of the usual insurance, maid loan and stuff. It is OK to spend extras to get a good maid but who can guarantee? All the more we will pull hair if we paid extra but ended up with another block head.
Coincidentally, our current agent managed to secure new CVs and we found one that looked decent. She is 29 YO, married but no kids and small built. We seemed to be jinxed by normal size maids. The agent helped to interview the maid and we were told that she went back to INDO after her 2 years’ contract last year. During her stint in Sgp, she was looking after 4 YO girl under the charge of the grandfather. She told the agent that she likes children and can endure ah gong’s scolding.
I managed to speak to her when I was at the agency. Actually, I don’t have intention to conduct a phone interview. That pathetic 3 mins phone call does no real help. Moreover, most of the maids tend to go on “yes mdm”, “I can mdm” mode. Interestingly, I found out that there was a miscoummication. She was here for 2years 9 months. She was looking after a 4 YO girl in the 1st 9 months but was returned bcos her employer wanted somebody who could speak better English and swopped to a FIL maid. She was transferred to a new family and looked after ah gong for 2 years.
I hesitated cos NRT also spent her 4 years in Sgp looking after elderly and she turns out to be hopeless with the kids despite her insistent that she likes kids, can handle kids and have 2 kids of her own. Then again, this maid choosing game is really about luck and we really hope we have better luck this time. More importantly, we are desperate to replace NRT. At this rate that ah mah is scolding her, I fear for NRT’s sanity. So, I still ended up signing on the dotted line.
The MOM ruiling says that an employer can only engage 5 maids in 12 months. On the 5th maid, I will have to go to MOM to re-sit for that employer test. It is not a tough test, very common sensical but it is troublesome. If we need to go into the 6th maid, we have to go for an interview with MOM to explain the high rate of change and approval is not guaranteed. This will be my 3rd maid. NRT is my 1st and that one-day maid also sits on my account even when she was the one who insisted that we sent her back to the agency. I also have to pay for her lodging and levy while she was waiting to be transferred. The law protects the maid. Boohoo. I already pre-empted Popo and asked her to go easy on the new maid. Haiz, but a leopard never changes its spots. Despite the fact that I asked her to go easy on her 101 procedure after we scared away that one-day maid, Popo is still insistent on the way that she runs things. I don’t think Popo will now change bcos we have a new maid. *worry*
The new maid appears to be able to understand and converse in simple English when I spoke to her over the phone. I kept asking the agent to emphasis to the maid in Malay that her job is to look after the 2 kids and to play with them. I also made it clear that we stayed with Popo and Popo scolds people. The one-day maid claimed then that she was able to handle the kids but cannot take the way Popo spoke to her and that we didn’t tell her that we live with Popo. Win liao. So I wanted to set expectation right this time.
The new maid will be here in about 3 weeks’ time. I am really counting down and hope nothing goes wrong (pass medical, etc). I also asked Popo to stop scolding NRT. For some reasons, she seem to hate every maid that I had yet seldom find fault with my bro’s maid even when some of their maids were no better. I supposed this is part of the Popo package too. Arrggggghhhhhhhhhhh. She even thinks that MA is not good. In comparison, I think MA is the best maid that I had so far. She only changes her mind after NRT and that one-day maid and even asked me to check if MA wants to come back to work for us. -.o” Haiz, why like that?
If Lil Shauna and Isaac do get married and have kids of their own and needed my help to babysit, pls remind me not to interfere too much into the kids’ life in the future. Remind me not to be so silly to sell my own flat and have to stay with the kids. Even if I do, remind me that it is their home, that they are the parents and I am only the grandparent.
Mummy Lim
Coincidentally, our current agent managed to secure new CVs and we found one that looked decent. She is 29 YO, married but no kids and small built. We seemed to be jinxed by normal size maids. The agent helped to interview the maid and we were told that she went back to INDO after her 2 years’ contract last year. During her stint in Sgp, she was looking after 4 YO girl under the charge of the grandfather. She told the agent that she likes children and can endure ah gong’s scolding.
I managed to speak to her when I was at the agency. Actually, I don’t have intention to conduct a phone interview. That pathetic 3 mins phone call does no real help. Moreover, most of the maids tend to go on “yes mdm”, “I can mdm” mode. Interestingly, I found out that there was a miscoummication. She was here for 2years 9 months. She was looking after a 4 YO girl in the 1st 9 months but was returned bcos her employer wanted somebody who could speak better English and swopped to a FIL maid. She was transferred to a new family and looked after ah gong for 2 years.
I hesitated cos NRT also spent her 4 years in Sgp looking after elderly and she turns out to be hopeless with the kids despite her insistent that she likes kids, can handle kids and have 2 kids of her own. Then again, this maid choosing game is really about luck and we really hope we have better luck this time. More importantly, we are desperate to replace NRT. At this rate that ah mah is scolding her, I fear for NRT’s sanity. So, I still ended up signing on the dotted line.
The MOM ruiling says that an employer can only engage 5 maids in 12 months. On the 5th maid, I will have to go to MOM to re-sit for that employer test. It is not a tough test, very common sensical but it is troublesome. If we need to go into the 6th maid, we have to go for an interview with MOM to explain the high rate of change and approval is not guaranteed. This will be my 3rd maid. NRT is my 1st and that one-day maid also sits on my account even when she was the one who insisted that we sent her back to the agency. I also have to pay for her lodging and levy while she was waiting to be transferred. The law protects the maid. Boohoo. I already pre-empted Popo and asked her to go easy on the new maid. Haiz, but a leopard never changes its spots. Despite the fact that I asked her to go easy on her 101 procedure after we scared away that one-day maid, Popo is still insistent on the way that she runs things. I don’t think Popo will now change bcos we have a new maid. *worry*
The new maid appears to be able to understand and converse in simple English when I spoke to her over the phone. I kept asking the agent to emphasis to the maid in Malay that her job is to look after the 2 kids and to play with them. I also made it clear that we stayed with Popo and Popo scolds people. The one-day maid claimed then that she was able to handle the kids but cannot take the way Popo spoke to her and that we didn’t tell her that we live with Popo. Win liao. So I wanted to set expectation right this time.
The new maid will be here in about 3 weeks’ time. I am really counting down and hope nothing goes wrong (pass medical, etc). I also asked Popo to stop scolding NRT. For some reasons, she seem to hate every maid that I had yet seldom find fault with my bro’s maid even when some of their maids were no better. I supposed this is part of the Popo package too. Arrggggghhhhhhhhhhh. She even thinks that MA is not good. In comparison, I think MA is the best maid that I had so far. She only changes her mind after NRT and that one-day maid and even asked me to check if MA wants to come back to work for us. -.o” Haiz, why like that?
If Lil Shauna and Isaac do get married and have kids of their own and needed my help to babysit, pls remind me not to interfere too much into the kids’ life in the future. Remind me not to be so silly to sell my own flat and have to stay with the kids. Even if I do, remind me that it is their home, that they are the parents and I am only the grandparent.
Mummy Lim
Reading
Lil Shauna loves to read… Well, more so that she loves to listen to somebody read to her. This was highlighted in her school’s progress report as well.
We have been visiting the library frequently, about once every 1 or 2 weeks. She has her own library card and we have to restrict the number of books that she wants to borrow everytime. Not only are the books heavy, she often demands that we read all the books in one sitting, usually before bed.
I love the library, we get to loan a huge variety of books, they don’t take up storage space at home and we too are entertained by the stories. It definitely beats having to tell her the same bedtime stories over again and again.
I don’t think Lil Shauna has superb memory. She sometimes takes many repetitions before she remembers something that we tell her. However, we are constantly amazed at how she can remember the stories that we read to her. Just a few days ago, I was alone with the kids and Lil Shauna was “reading” aloud as I had to entertain the tiger. She basically recites the story from memory by looking at the pictures and I was surprised that it was almost word for word for the first half of the book! I almost believe that she could read.
We are happy to read to the princess and hope that the little tiger enjoys stories as much as jiejie. We made it a point to borrow one or two books for Lil Isaac whenever we go to the library. He doesn’t have much patience and prefers to mess around with jiejie’s books then sit through his own story book. Chey.
Mummy Lim
We have been visiting the library frequently, about once every 1 or 2 weeks. She has her own library card and we have to restrict the number of books that she wants to borrow everytime. Not only are the books heavy, she often demands that we read all the books in one sitting, usually before bed.
I love the library, we get to loan a huge variety of books, they don’t take up storage space at home and we too are entertained by the stories. It definitely beats having to tell her the same bedtime stories over again and again.
I don’t think Lil Shauna has superb memory. She sometimes takes many repetitions before she remembers something that we tell her. However, we are constantly amazed at how she can remember the stories that we read to her. Just a few days ago, I was alone with the kids and Lil Shauna was “reading” aloud as I had to entertain the tiger. She basically recites the story from memory by looking at the pictures and I was surprised that it was almost word for word for the first half of the book! I almost believe that she could read.
We are happy to read to the princess and hope that the little tiger enjoys stories as much as jiejie. We made it a point to borrow one or two books for Lil Isaac whenever we go to the library. He doesn’t have much patience and prefers to mess around with jiejie’s books then sit through his own story book. Chey.
Mummy Lim
New Sleeping Arrangement
We bought a new bed for the kids and it was delivered last week. We also bought new Ariel bedsheet for jiejie to entice her to sleep in her new room and bed. Well, it worked… almost.
It is supposed to be an one-bedded but we put a mattress on the floor for Lil Isaac and turned it into a bunk bed. The kids were excited and spent much time climbing up and down the stairs, in and out of the lower deck on Monday night. Daddy Lim and I had to constantly watch over them to make sure that nobody fell overboard or knock their head. Lil Isaac, as accident prone as usual, did kok his head. -.o”
We are hoping that we can successfully chase jiejie out of our room. For a start, I will sleep with them in their room, on a mattress next to Lil Isaac. I hope to escape back to my room in the middle of the night after a few nights. Maybe there will be a day that they can both sleep on their own in their room with auntie. Probably not this auntie, the kids cannot co-exist in harmony with this maid.
On Monday, Lil Isaac fell asleep when I gave him his bottle and I put him on his deck. Daddy Lim was reading to Lil Shauna then. He tried to tuck her to bed while I expressed but wasn’t too successful. I see her running in and out of the room. Finally, she chose to squeeze with Lil Isaac and fell asleep shortly.
Lil Isaac woke up once for his night feed and there were quite a few “his-leg-was-on-her-head” and “she’s-into-his-space” episodes that woke me up. Otherwise, the night went well. I think Lil Shauna is scared to sleep alone. She has been sleeping with us for the past years. I am suggesting buying a night light or a projection light. One that she can switch on easily if she wakes up in the middle of the night. I hope she will continue to want to sleep in her room and will progress to her deck one day. Crossed finger.
For the last few nights, Lil Shauna only slept on her deck once. The rest of the time was spent squeezing with me and Lil Isaac. Well, at least that is a good start.
My only problem now is the night pee. She wet the bed that only night that she slept on her deck despite me making her peed before she slept. When she's on the upper deck, I will probably end up breaking my back trying to carry her to and back from the toilet. Hmmmm...
Mummy Lim
It is supposed to be an one-bedded but we put a mattress on the floor for Lil Isaac and turned it into a bunk bed. The kids were excited and spent much time climbing up and down the stairs, in and out of the lower deck on Monday night. Daddy Lim and I had to constantly watch over them to make sure that nobody fell overboard or knock their head. Lil Isaac, as accident prone as usual, did kok his head. -.o”
We are hoping that we can successfully chase jiejie out of our room. For a start, I will sleep with them in their room, on a mattress next to Lil Isaac. I hope to escape back to my room in the middle of the night after a few nights. Maybe there will be a day that they can both sleep on their own in their room with auntie. Probably not this auntie, the kids cannot co-exist in harmony with this maid.
On Monday, Lil Isaac fell asleep when I gave him his bottle and I put him on his deck. Daddy Lim was reading to Lil Shauna then. He tried to tuck her to bed while I expressed but wasn’t too successful. I see her running in and out of the room. Finally, she chose to squeeze with Lil Isaac and fell asleep shortly.
Lil Isaac woke up once for his night feed and there were quite a few “his-leg-was-on-her-head” and “she’s-into-his-space” episodes that woke me up. Otherwise, the night went well. I think Lil Shauna is scared to sleep alone. She has been sleeping with us for the past years. I am suggesting buying a night light or a projection light. One that she can switch on easily if she wakes up in the middle of the night. I hope she will continue to want to sleep in her room and will progress to her deck one day. Crossed finger.
For the last few nights, Lil Shauna only slept on her deck once. The rest of the time was spent squeezing with me and Lil Isaac. Well, at least that is a good start.
My only problem now is the night pee. She wet the bed that only night that she slept on her deck despite me making her peed before she slept. When she's on the upper deck, I will probably end up breaking my back trying to carry her to and back from the toilet. Hmmmm...
Mummy Lim
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Hong Kong Day 4
I was disappointed to wake up to a rainy morning. We wanted to explore the rest of the park. Luckily, it turned to a light drizzle by the time the park opens.
We checked out of our room and shifted our luggage to Mummy P's room before heading to the park. They were staying an extra night. Envy...
The rain stopped shortly and we explored the remaining of the park. It was again great. We visited AdventureLand and Toy Story Land.
The kids took pictures with Woody and Jessie.
And with the "toy soldiers" too.
The rides are kids friendly and the girls totally enjoyed themselves. Lil Isaac took quite a few rides too.
The girls also took picture with Tinklebell. Tinklebell was really kind and took time to talk to the girls. So sweet. Actually, I found Tinklebell quite a poor thing. She had to smile so sweetly and brightly for every single picture. I bet her mouth ached like mad after every photo session.
Lil Isaac then took his nap and jiejie went on the train ride with the rest while I waited for them.
I was so bored waiting that I ended up taking pictures of myself. Then I brought a chicken leg bcos the people sitting next to me were eating one and it smelled really good. They even gave gloves with the chicken leg. Very innovative.
Then, it was more pictures!
This is the only family picture that we took.
And with Busslight Year! Lil Shauna and Booboo heart Busslight Year. I didnt manage to take the picture of the girls hugging Busslight Year. Priceless.
The girls had a Minnie Mouse ice cream too. But in actual fact, the adults ate most of the ice cream.
We caught the parade before we left the park.
Lil Shauna was reluctant to leave the park. I can totally understand bcos I didn't want to leave too. Boo. Luckily there was no tears.
We went back to the hotel for our bags before grabbing a cab to the airport, which was only about 20mins away. We had a light dinner in the airport and Lil Isaac was tired and cranky. We tried so hard to keep him awake.
We were again the last few to board the plane so that we didnt have to struggle too long with a confined tiger. He was still cranky and felt asleep when I gave him his bottle during take off. He didn't wake up until arrival in Singapore and only went back to sleep at 2am. Jiejie was cooperative and self entertained with the inflight movies. She felt asleep at 10pm and only woke up briefly when we carried her off the plane, onto the cab and finally back home. She continued sleeping until the next morning.
I hate to be back. I want to be in Disneyland! I am suffering from intense post holiday blues and I need another holiday to recover from this holiday. Muahahaha. I really did enjoy myself this time. In the past, when I sometimes go on holidays with the kids, I dont enjoy myself and actually got fustrated over child care and all. This time, I simply didnt want the holiday to end. We are so going back to Hong Kong again. We had fun and the weather is so nice!
Mummy Lim
We checked out of our room and shifted our luggage to Mummy P's room before heading to the park. They were staying an extra night. Envy...
The rain stopped shortly and we explored the remaining of the park. It was again great. We visited AdventureLand and Toy Story Land.
The kids took pictures with Woody and Jessie.
And with the "toy soldiers" too.
The rides are kids friendly and the girls totally enjoyed themselves. Lil Isaac took quite a few rides too.
The girls also took picture with Tinklebell. Tinklebell was really kind and took time to talk to the girls. So sweet. Actually, I found Tinklebell quite a poor thing. She had to smile so sweetly and brightly for every single picture. I bet her mouth ached like mad after every photo session.
Lil Isaac then took his nap and jiejie went on the train ride with the rest while I waited for them.
I was so bored waiting that I ended up taking pictures of myself. Then I brought a chicken leg bcos the people sitting next to me were eating one and it smelled really good. They even gave gloves with the chicken leg. Very innovative.
Then, it was more pictures!
This is the only family picture that we took.
And with Busslight Year! Lil Shauna and Booboo heart Busslight Year. I didnt manage to take the picture of the girls hugging Busslight Year. Priceless.
The girls had a Minnie Mouse ice cream too. But in actual fact, the adults ate most of the ice cream.
We caught the parade before we left the park.
Lil Shauna was reluctant to leave the park. I can totally understand bcos I didn't want to leave too. Boo. Luckily there was no tears.
We went back to the hotel for our bags before grabbing a cab to the airport, which was only about 20mins away. We had a light dinner in the airport and Lil Isaac was tired and cranky. We tried so hard to keep him awake.
We were again the last few to board the plane so that we didnt have to struggle too long with a confined tiger. He was still cranky and felt asleep when I gave him his bottle during take off. He didn't wake up until arrival in Singapore and only went back to sleep at 2am. Jiejie was cooperative and self entertained with the inflight movies. She felt asleep at 10pm and only woke up briefly when we carried her off the plane, onto the cab and finally back home. She continued sleeping until the next morning.
I hate to be back. I want to be in Disneyland! I am suffering from intense post holiday blues and I need another holiday to recover from this holiday. Muahahaha. I really did enjoy myself this time. In the past, when I sometimes go on holidays with the kids, I dont enjoy myself and actually got fustrated over child care and all. This time, I simply didnt want the holiday to end. We are so going back to Hong Kong again. We had fun and the weather is so nice!
Mummy Lim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)