Maids and nannies are people who serve as helpers in many homes. They help with childcare, house chores and other jobs within the home. Usually, they are from poor families who cannot take care of themselves so they have to do these jobs to raise money to care for themselves and their dependant.
Many people have had difficult relationships with their nannies and maids and vice versa. This should not be so. Maids and nannies are human and should be treated with respect and homeowners to deserve to be served well.
Principles to observe in order to have a healthy and cordial relationship with your maids and nannies
Share your expectations: Maids and nannies are not mind readers, so you need to state clearly, what you expect them to do. Set the rules and if they can read, write it out and paste it in a conspicuous place so they can always refer to it.
Be considerate: Put yourself in your maids’ shoes how would you want to be treated. Being considerate means you give them breaks in between work. Allow them time to sleep so they can regain their strength and energy to even give their best to the work. Give them food, clothes and a place to sleep if they leave in with you. Draft a schedule of activities that puts all these into consideration.
Set limits: People are different, there are certain things that may be acceptable to them from where they come from, and it may not be pleasing to you. Set and state the limit and boundaries. For example, if you do not like your maid to come into your room without permission, serve your spouse in your absence then say it and don’t assume she should know all this.
Tell her your preferences: As simple as cooking rice is, there are differences in the way people prefer it. You may prefer parboiling and sieving your maid may boil until the water dries up. Tell her how you want things to be done and correct when she does it in a way you do not like without yelling and expecting her to use her common sense. Remember she comes from a different background.
Stick to the rules: It can be confusing to your maid when you keep changing your mind about things. Yesterday, you said she should sieve the remaining water in the cooked rice, today you said she should allow the water dry up after cooking. Give feedback as regards her performance where she is doing well and where she needs improvement.
Give her rewards: Rewards can boost the morale of any worker how much more to maids and nannies. When they do well and you reward them they tend to do better. Remember their birthdays and give them a treat. You could gift them airtime, clothes, shoes and other good thing you feel they would appreciate.
Do the things you can do: Don’t become too reliant on your maid, there are things you can do by yourself. You can wear your shoes, carry your small bag etc. Don’t let them take over all your duties towards your spouse and kids. Maid and nannies are assistants not the controllers on the affair on your home so do the small stuff by yourself.
Do not abuse them: Never resort to abusing your maid physically, verbally and in other forms. Correct and set her in order when she goes wrong. If she is incorrigible report her to the agency or the person that got her for you. If the worse come to the worse, send her back to where you got her.
Dear Mamalette, you need to know that there is nothing wrong in getting a maid or a nanny but you need to take your time, do the necessary check yet the real work lies in managing them well.
Changing maid often is costly and demanding because your entire household has to adjust to having new caregivers often. A maid and nanny especially the ones that leave in with you know the inner workings of your home and this knowledge can be used on the positives or negatives.
When you treat your maid and nanny well, they would treat you and your home well.
