I write this as I gaze upon my baby boy who is asleep knowing that he is the most important thing in my life right now.
Our yaya (nanny) went on her monthly day off last Sunday and did not return. Her husband texted us that she went to the dentist and needed to rest since she had some teeth pulled. However, she never said anything before leaving and we even discussed what time she would be back. As per her husband, she would be back on Wed.
This morning I awoke to find out that our maid had left as well. She just left a note saying that the pay was too low and that the food was not enough. Not once did she raise these concerns to me. I always ask them at the grocery what food they want and I make it a point to buy stuff they need when it runs out. We even bought them a cushion because I didn’t want them sleeping on the floor.
Turns out that this was premeditated all along and both the yaya and maid are going back to the province. They didn’t even have the decency to tell me the truth to my face. The maid left like a thief in the night just leaving a note. Maybe I should be thankful they didn’t steal anything. However, her salary was advanced for this month since she wanted to send it to her kid so we obliged. Our yaya still has the cellphone hubby lent her in case we needed immediate feedback on baby J. She has not even repaid the fare we gave for her to go to Manila from the province.
I took care of baby J when his first yaya lied to us. This is a bigger challenge right now because I am alone in our condo and baby J is now mobile. He is very insistent on his demands. He is now formula fed so I have to sterilize his bottles and feeding utensils too.
I had a few minutes of self pity before hubby went off to work. Then I pushed them aside. I never wanted to be a stay at home mom. But I do what is needed because my baby is the most important thing in my life right now.
May 13, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
hay issh, ganun talaga, you’re a Mom now and have your own family. For a week i’ve had no yaya and a maid. was absent for 2 days too, before i decided to bring my bebe to either my in-laws or my parents’ place. at elast you dont have work at the back of your mind. i did, that time.
you can do it dear. just keep on going. at least you’ve got lloyd at the end of the day. i didn’t (and still don’t) have my husband beside me.
May 14, 2009 at 4:42 pm |
hay, yaya woes. jackjack’s yaya wanted to go home the day after we hired her. in the end, she stole jackjack’s medicine money and my cellphone while we were sleeping when he was hospitalized. that was one of the reasons why i had to resign and be a stay-at-home mom.
it’s gonna be ok, trust me. i’m doing it and so are many moms out there. you’ll be fine.
May 15, 2009 at 7:32 am |
We have temporarily moved back to my parents’ house in QC. Hirap kasi.
May 18, 2009 at 4:41 pm |
Sigh, been having so many domestic issues (both yaya and maid) myself since I gave birth. Sometimes I feel it is much better to take care of your baby yourself rather than rely on yaya or household help. Even if you give them a high salary, try to make their stay comfortable, provide for everything they need – there really is no such thing as loyalty for them. And they will always complain behind your back even if you ask them outright what they need. And you never know… if you are at work what they are doing to your baby.
May 20, 2009 at 6:20 pm |
Hey Issh, sorry to hear about your dilemma. It really is hard to find good help these days, and what Anna said about them complaining behind your back (even if you give them everything they need) is sooo true.
Is baby J purely formula-fed now? Maybe you can write about what it’s like to switch from breast to formula — I’ve always been curious.
Anyway, you’re right, you’re his mom, and you have to do whatever it takes to make sure he’s well taken care of.
May 21, 2009 at 8:15 am |
Hi Jane,
actually we’re still mixed feeding. I try to give baby J his formula but sometimes he doesn’t finish it. Then after a few minutes what he wants is to nurse. At night aournd 3:30am we still nurse kasi nakakatamad to mix formula.
June 6, 2009 at 1:20 am |
hi grabe your experience with your maids hay ang hirap i understand your situation.mahirap na talaga to look for maids that you can trust especially with your child.ako ilan palit na ng yaya .. Yun yaya ng anak ko magaling sa lahat almost 1 n half year siya kaso lumaki ang ulo kaya nainis ako. Yun isa naman pabaya .. Isa tamad iba iba wala makuhang matino. kahit maging mabait tayo, bigay tamang sweldo with perks pa ha (in my case may load,lotion, treat pag birthday) nasa maids talaga ayaw nila ng work. mas ok na hanap breadwinner na tao para mas matyaga sila sa work.
I’m just wondering kung pano nakalabas yun maid nyo sa condo kung may dala siyang things?kasi sa min may guard pag may dala malaking bag yung maid hinaharang nila tapos tawag sila sa min kung walang gate pass.
June 10, 2009 at 5:29 pm |
well she had a backpack with her. so hindi siya hinarang ng guard.