[TMAC]

We are new to having a helper and have one starting next week. What kind of hours do they typically work? I know this is something that we should have determined earlier, but things were rushed and a little confused during the hiring process.
I'm particularly interested in what kind of hours people with young children have their helpers work.
Thanks!

[hottie]

In general they work any hours you say, but must have a 24 hour period off every week.

Some start at 5am and finish at 11pm 6 days a week. Mine does a few hours in the morning, has the afternoon off then a few more hours at night but more in school holidays.

Sent you a PM.

[carang]

i have an active toddler and another baby coming in 2 weeks time after a very long, difficult pregnancy.

our helper has been absolutely fantastic during this time and her typical hours are:

7:15am-8pm or so
however, during the day my hubby is in and out of the house, so she sometimes gets a little "down time" during the day and typically takes around 45 minutes in the afternoon for a shower etc.

before my pregnancy got to be so much trouble, i always put my son to bed and my helper finished earlier. but since i've been in a wheelchair (since november) she's been putting him to bed for me, so she finishes a little later.

she sometimes asks to go out on saturday nights after dinner and then stays with friends until sunday night. that's fine with us as i know she's not working illegally.

we also give her every public holiday off, not just the stats. we've also tried to give her her birthday off, although when it lands on a weekday, she doesn't usually want to take it because all of her friends are still working.

[TMAC]

Thanks for the info and for the link to the other website!

Carang, we sound like we are in similar positions! I am having a complicated twin pregnancy and can't be up much or lift anything and I have a 2 year old who has other ideas for me! Best of luck to you!

[KnowItAll]

tmac : a lot of our members on geobaby have had good things to say about this book.

http://www.shopinhk.com/product.php?productid=1510

It is meant for helpers to want to get organised...

[carang]

TMAC, i hope it all goes well for you. i have a c-section scheduled for feb 6 and i'm literally counting the days! i'm hoping that all of the pain will clear up afterwards!

hope it all goes well with the twins, you're so lucky! i wish i was having twins! i want 3 kids but there's no way i can do this to my family again! i think if i told hubby i was preggers again, he'd divorce me! LOL!

[TMAC]

KIA - Thanks! It was one of my first purchases in HK! But it doesn't really talk about hours - just what kind tasks your helper should expect to do etc. Really an excellent resource for those of us who have never had help though!

Carang - Good luck!! Feb 6th is coming up fast! I'm sure it will be an enormous relief! I have until the end of June to wait!

[carang]

TMAC...the time will fly by, dont' you worry!

i was really surprised when neither of my pregnancies were twins. my mum was a twin, and out of 11 cousins on my mum's side...6 are twins! i actually have one uncle that has 2 sets of twin boys (thank goodness they are 18 years apart!)....

anyway, back to your original topic. so long as you adn your helper both know what is expected and you make it clear at the start, you shouldn't have too many problems. let her know that this will be the "norm" but of course there may be changes as the need arises.

good luck!