Parents Share Tips On Hiring Househelp : Huwag Magpabale Agad

Last year, celebrity actress and first-time mom Kris Bernal shook social media pages when she asked for “yaya” recommendation with the following qualifications: "1. Honest; 2. Dependable; 3. Has great patience + gentle on babies; 4. Loves her job/capacity to love our baby; 5. Alert and attentive; 6. Respects privacy, family life, and belongings. 7. Open and willing to learn new things and adapt to change; 8. Has knowledge on new methods in taking care of a newborn; 9. Good listener; 10. Good personal hygiene; and 11. Loves dogs too."

To which she concluded in all big letters, "12. PULIDO MAGTRABAHO! HINDI BARA-BARA/BASTA-BASTA!"

Wanted: Perfect Kasambahay, Parents share tips on hiring househelp

Almost a year after that post, we’re wondering if we share the same sentiments in hiring a yaya/househelp so we asked parents from Smart Parenting Village some tips on hiring househelp.

Orient and set clear boundaries

Mommy Joyce Anne talks about the importance of orientation. She says ”Mag-orient bago mag-umpisa. Sabihin agad yung rules and expectations… kapag nagkamali, pagsabihan agad para alam niyang masisita siya kapag hindi sinunod ang rules. Kapag hindi mo kasi sinita, mamimihasa.” Similarly, Mommy Ched adds, “Set clear boundaries so your house help will know when you can be a 'friend' and when you can be their 'boss.'”

Use CCTV monitors

Both of these moms stressed the importance of having a CCTV monitor. “...kung magbabantay siya ng bata, kailangang nakikita ng family mismo. Maglagay ng CCTV sa maraming parte ng bahay. Maganda kung hindi nila alam. Mahirap magtiwala ngayon… Huwag gawing 100% ang tiwala. Hindi mo masabi kung kailan ka pwedeng lokohin.” says Mommy Joyce Anne.

“CCTV is a must! Sometimes they become a different person when you’re not around,” warns Mommy Ched.

Do not allow advance payments

They also alerted readers about providing advanced payments, “Huwag na huwag magpapabale kung bago pa lang. Kung may emergency talaga, small amount lang ang ipahiram,” and recommended having a trial period. “Since they’re new, syempre best foot forward pa sila but of course mahihirapan naman sila magpanggap for a long period of time so create a trial period (2-4 weeks) para you can see if good fit ba sila sa inyo.”

Mommy Joyce also shared an unpleasant experience while she was being treated in the hospital and her kids were left with the yaya. “Noong na-hosp[ital] ako, need ko ipaalaga ang mga anak ko. Ayon, hindi pinapakain nang maayos ng kasambahay. Nung magkasakit yung isa kong anak na nasa hospital pa ako, hindi pinapainom ng gamot.”

Trust your gut

“Trust your gut feel when choosing a house help. May mga nag-aapply na magaling magsalita, magaling makitungo pero mararamdaman mong parang may 'mali.' Listen to that inner voice, that can save you,” concludes Mommy Ched.

Additional tips on hiring yaya or househelp

WebMd adds a few more tips since it believes that Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee won’t show up when you’re back to work from maternity leave. We’ve picked out additional tips and made them relatable to you:

Tip # 1 : Seek referrals

Barbara Marcus, co-founder of Parents in a Pinch, a child care placement agency, recommends asking everyone you know for nanny referrals. "The best way to find someone is through word of mouth," agrees Guy Maddalone, CEO of GTM Household Employment and author of How to Hire a Nanny. Reaching out to personal networks is often the most effective method for finding reliable child care. Mommy Joyce Anne has the same belief on referrals, "Bukod sa wala kang babayaran e mas reliable pa pagdating sa feedback."

Referrals found their way on socials, too. On Facebook, there are "yaya finder" groups or "looking for kasambahay" communities created for those looking for a nanny or househelp for their homes, children, and pets. Househelp can also advertise themselves while they wait for househelp vacancies. 

A word of advice though, from Mommy Regina Lyn, and that is to remain vigilant. "...always double check and take extra precautions pagdating sa background lalo na di pa rin natin kilala ang papapasukin natin sa bahay natin at di tayo insured if ever," she warns.

Tip # 2 : Know what you’re looking for

Before beginning the interview process, it’s important to define exactly what you need in a nanny. Maddalone suggests writing a clear job description outlining key responsibilities, such as childcare, household duties, or educational support. From this, you can create a list of skills and qualifications you want the nanny to have. "Think about what qualities demonstrate their ability to handle the role’s requirements," Maddalone advises, ensuring your expectations align with the position’s demands.

Tip # 3 : Check references and conduct background check

You can check if they have a criminal record and what the record was about and see if that would be quite a risk on your end. If you can interview them for past medical history, especially if they will be taking care of your children, then all the better.

"Much better if kamag-anak," Mommy Joanne suggests.

 

Tip # 4 : Communicate what comes with the salary

Communicate what comes with the salary like deductions or bonuses. Aside from the salary, also “go over sick days, vacation days, and explain the schedule you expect your nanny to keep from the get-go so there are no gray areas.” If there are emergency situations where they cannot return to work from their day off, set clear rules on what needs to be communicated including the back-up plan. If they need to be home for special occasions such as birthdays, fiesta, Christmas, Holy Week, set guidelines on how early they should notify you so you can plan your schedule, too.

Yaya and Kasambahay: the special role they play

According to a paper entitled, “The household as a workplace: The articulation of class and gender in Filipino middle class households”, the earliest known household workers in the Philippines date back to the 16th century during pre-Hispanic times also called aliping sagigilid who often lived in their master’s house.

They have been the extension of us—they are the extra pairs of hands and eyes to manage the household while we’re away and they take care of the children when we’re preoccupied completing other tasks and playing other roles.

Perhaps it’s fair enough to provide them with what they need in order to fulfill their role. One of the key things to remember is that without them, we cannot do all the things we need to do on our own—so let's treat them with dignity and respect, make them feel that we need them to work with us as a team, and make sure that their basic needs are met like food, shelter, and hygiene kit.

We expect them to treat our house and kids well; we need to return that kind of treatment, too. 

How do you deal with a pasaway yaya? Check here.