Dear gals,
I was contemplating the CL issue the past week and after discussing with hubby and reading many many posts on CL, decided to get one. Cos I realise I definitely need an extra pair of hands 24/7 and there is no guarantee my mum or MIL or hubby will be around. I think I will go crazy. Now first trimester I already giddy and exhausted the whole day despite sleeping alot. Imagine after bb comes, I think will be much much worse.
I searched a few forums for recommendations and my first two choices are booked in august already. Luckily my 3rd choice hasn't accepted any in august though she received enquiries, so I hurriedly transferred $300 deposit already. Total cost is $2300, excluding work permit.
Here're the list of duties discussed:
- Wash baby, mine and hubby clothes all separately using machine
- Boil water for me to use for baths etc
- Cook for me and hubby (3 dishes, 1 soup or 2 dishes 1 soup - up to me); Cooking for me will be mainly lunch and dinner, breakfast either bread or mee sua with meat, plus tea-time and supper when i need; And every alternate day she'd brew tonic or chicken essence for me
- Encourage breast-feeding but for at night, advise that I express or use some formula so that i can have a good night's rest. She is also ok with bringing baby to me for BF at night and handling baby after that.
- Will do some household chores like mop the floor twice a week and clean the kitchen twice a day after every cooking
- Will give a list of what herbs etc I need to prepare beforehand and advise my hubby on what to buy from fresh market for the cooking
She requested for afternoon nap time, which is reasonable and also to use disaposable diapers instead of cloth ones. I did some research and realise disposables are fine.
Here is a news article on disposable vs cloth diapers i just found, for a read if you are interested. It was just published on 13 Jan.
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/parenting-first-time-through/2012/jan/13/cloth-or-disposable-diapers-debate-today/
The only problem is she prefers not to have my dog around. My dog is Sasha (thus my nickname), shetland sheepdog, been with me for 12 years. I really can't bear to put her somewhere for 1 month. I hope to negotiate with her again when I meet her in Feb for detailed discussion
I also encourage those thinking of getting CL to get asap. I very kiasu, I also gotten pre and post natal massage based on recommendations from forum. Heh... For post-natal, note that Hari Raya is in August so some might not take your business cos busy with Hari Raya wor...