Any advice for someone getting a maid in saudi?

I have twin 14 month olds and I seriously need someone to catch up with the cleaning around the house, and helping me out with the babies when theyre both crying at the same time.


But I hear the most TERRIFYING stories of maids abusing the kids and such. I'm going to get some nanny cams. But other than that, does anyone reccomend a certian nationality? or a certian city to bring them from where theyre least likely to be crazy? And how do you go about getting a maid anyway, I know I have to go to an agency, but then what happens? and how long do I wait? and what are their sallaries? Can I specify that I want one who can speak english, or at least isnt stupid? I just got an ethiopian one and God she is dumb. she gives the kids clorox to play with! She is fired now.


Thank you. I know its a silly question but I am very nervous and a little afraid...

Any advice for someone getting a maid in saudi?
What I usually do and recommend is that I only hire staff based on a relationship with current staff or a recommendation by someone I know well who's not able to or doesn't need the staff at the moment. Getting someone from another country, regardless of what you tell the agency isn't going to work.. they'll deliver someone whom took three to five months to bring in and then you'll be desperate enough to just give it a try even if they don't speak a language or know how to sign and have never handled kids before and are going to learn at the expense of your kids well being.





As for crazy, we're all crazy, being in the right situation that triggers it for us, so don't bet on that. What you can bet on and can predict, is treating them super nice, in treatment and in financial supplements every now and then or a phone card from time to time.. When you order food, count them in, when you buy your kids stuff and clothes, buy them something.. it's not expensice, you're probably not going to spend more than $10 bucks, but they'll know you care and thought of them so they'll take care of your kids.. what goes around comes around. When I get served in restaurant, I don't return food, no matter what, I don't insult people handling my food as I know they can mess me up in the next plate that arrives, now imagine them handling your kids! ;-)





I would assume older is better, so look for someone experience with kids, you never know if they drink water or swallow something what the sitter would do in that situation if she's also a kid herself! Our staff are now treated as elderly family members, now we have one more staff to cover for what gets missed because they're not as young as they used to be and have too many issues with their kids to think straight all the time.





I don't agree with nanny cams, they're not going to cover the whole house and they'll be good to see what happened after the fact which will be TOO LATE! The best scenario, if you can find someone who will help you, is to send the baby sitter with the kids to someone's house who's there to hear and see what will happen.. the staff also will know they're close by in the next room so they can't be too liberal if they happen to be crazy. ;-)
Reply:Hey, that Ethiopian maid sounds painfully familiar. If you live in Jeddah, by any chance is she a teenager by the name of Asma,who has a faded blue tatoo on her forehead? I lived with my saudi in-laws for the 1st 10 months i was here (we moved here Sept. '06. They hired her a month after we came, and she gave me fits. She was also Clorox happy, and always splattered it onto the laundry pile. When we got our own place, my mother-in-law came, but brought her with her. She used the broom to scrub the pigeon droppings off the front steps. When I came downstairs, i found her using the SAME broom to sweep the carpet. *falls over*. My husband had told her I didn't want her working in my house. Stupidity %26amp; Stubbornness are BAD combination. She finally got fired about 2 months ago.





Anyway, to make this relevant, Ive heard Filipinas and Indonesians are the best. But be careful with Indonesians, sometimes they run away and join up with the Indo. mafia.The whole ''maid'' thing is just a sham to get into the country. Be sure you go thru a reputable agency. Seems to take a lot of trial and error to find the right maid for you, so take your time ,and good luck.
Reply:well id say Philipinos are the best... Majority of them do come here speaking english.. And with a christian background (most) at least they believe in God.. Im a muslim and ive dealt with philipinos, sri lankans, ethiopians, sudanese, indian, thiland.. and seems the philipinos are the best.. Someone else might not agree though.. its all your experience though and what you've been through.. I hear really horrid horror stories.. Frankly.. though.. I am taking care of my own two right now.. I am too scared to hire someone who is not a native, doesnt know my customs, might not speak my language, might be from some hick village that doesnt know what "clorox" is or what even pampers are...


I can remember my family here (my inlaws) teaching a young housemaid what electricity was, teaching her about vacuums, washing machines, fridges, etc... I dont know what or where this girl came from, but she knew absolutely nothing..


Also a note here:... you will need to help the help.. cause if you yourself are having trouble with two babies.. you cant expect one hired help to be able to manage them either... They arent robots.. I dont mean to imply that you'd think that way, but some of my fellow lady friends here in Saudi seem to think that way.. I feel so sorry for the housemaids.. they are expected to clean a 3 story mansion, do the ironing for 15people, cook, clean, wash, and manage to take care of any of the numerous babies running around and be able to get up at 5am and still go strong at 12midnight to cook tidbits for the guests... I just sit in amazement at all what they put on these housemaids... My motto is: If I cant do it, why would I expect her to... so I'd adleast help out. or hire 2...
Reply:Sister, it's not a silly question, at all, You have raised a very serious issue of present time, that must be addressed wisely.





You have got a good answer above, I hope others will also answer you, as I can't because I'm Non-Saudi male working here. But I admire your question allot.
Reply:Maybe Indonesian...





Filipinos can become an unholy pain in the neck.

azalea