Forums  •  Classifieds  •  Events  •  Directory

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Query - how many hours a day do helpers work?

  1. #1
    HongKongBaby is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    7

    Query - how many hours a day do helpers work?

    We will be moving to Hong Kong this autumn, and in the process or arranging a helper. I'm trying to find out how many hours a day a helper works - and how it works when they will also babysit that evening?
    Thanks!


  2. #2
    rani's Avatar
    rani is offline Administrator
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Pokfulam, Hong Kong
    Posts
    5,844

    Depends on your family's needs. There's no restriction on how many hours she works. Many work from 6:30am to dinner time. They have an hour or two off in the afternoon. And if you're going out at night, they will babysit till you're back. It's like having another family member in the house.

    Founded GeoBaby in 2002

  3. #3
    HongKongBaby is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    7

    Thanks - so for example, if ours was to start at 7am, and work through till 7/8pm, but with a couple of hours off in the morning or afternoon, and to babysit two or three evening a week that would be OK? (And rest day etc of course).
    We certainly don't want to exhaust someone!
    Thanks again!


  4. #4
    rani's Avatar
    rani is offline Administrator
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Pokfulam, Hong Kong
    Posts
    5,844

    Yes that would be fine. If the kids are in bed before you leave, babysitting is simply having the monitor on while you're out. The minimum monthly wage for a domestic helper is approx $3600. Lots of people pay more depending on experience. Would recommend not making any major decisions until you get here. Stay in a serviced apt until you find a flat and helper.

    Founded GeoBaby in 2002

  5. #5
    HongKongBaby is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    7

    Thanks - really appreciate the replies! Good advice!


  6. #6
    southside852 is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    1,118

    ours works from 6:30am, off when our kids have their naps in the afternoon (1-2 hours) then once she's cleaned the kitchen, she's off which is usually around 8:30pm. If we are out, like Rani said above, she will stay awake until we get home.


  7. #7
    penguinsix is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Midlevels
    Posts
    171

    Ours works basically those hours mentioned above, though we have a stay at home parent who sometimes steps in to help out (take the kids to the grocery, down to the playroom, etc) to give her a bit of a break during the day.

    My advice is to just keep an eye on things. If our helper is looking overly tired, we try to plan an day out without her (i.e. off to Shek O beach on a Saturday) so she can spend a few extra hours alone without having to worry about things. Keeps the relationship good.


  8. #8
    jvn
    jvn is offline Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
    Posts
    347

    Ours works from around 8.30am or 9am to around 8.30pm, sometimes later if there is ironing or something to do. I'm a SAHM mum so it's easy for me to get up with my son and do breakfast and play with him till that time, if I worked I'd be out of the house earlier and she'd have to start earlier. Basically, as the others have said, it's about fitting in with how the family works and making sure no-one is overtired or overworked. Evenings out aren't a problem, it's just a case of watching TV and listening out for any waking, just what we do every evening :-)

    I'm sure our routine will change when the next one arrives or this one starts school and needs to be out of the house earlier and we'll all have to adapt. Best not to plan to far ahead, you have to meet this person and find out how she fits into your family, what she's good at, what aspects of the job she enjoys and you can work with that.


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Less wet nappies over last 12 hours
    By Lisainhk in forum Baby's Health
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-13-2012, 10:30 AM
  2. Working hours
    By FutureHKmom in forum Helper Forums
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 11-26-2010, 09:50 AM
  3. Kerry - can you reply my query?
    By jajacha in forum Feeding Baby
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-16-2008, 10:28 AM
  4. feeding every two hours!
    By aussiegal in forum Feeding Baby
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-23-2007, 05:38 PM
  5. helper hours?
    By jamesandsimo in forum Helper Forums
    Replies: 71
    Last Post: 07-15-2007, 10:51 PM
Scroll to top