“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”Jer. 17:9

Having a good support system is the key to successful good work-life balance. Every home needs one whether live in or not, as we no longer live in an era where women just stay at home and do nothing.

Unfortunately, this hired help comes in all forms, shapes and sizes. They show up with individual traits, mannerisms and tricks.  Besides, they don’t come cheap and are

Gone are the days when a woman only hoped to be a housewife. In an era where women are Presidents of countries, CEO’s etc, a woman’s purpose in life is more than getting married, having babies and being a housewife. And in order to fulfil one’s purpose and able to juggle being a wife, mother, career woman, Hired help is necessary for the home. For the purpose of this write-up, hired help includes house girl/boy, nanny, driver, cook, steward, watchman, security man etc. Basically anyone that is paid to come into your home and render service.

As a wife, mother and career executive who has by the grace of God raised three children for the past 23years, I have had my fair share of hired helps (still rely on some).  I believe every home needs one (otherwise you run the risk of going crazy) but it’s strictly with a “caveat emptor” buyer beware attitude. It is important that we all understand the following rules in acquiring one

1. A) KNOW YOUR SOURCE: Hiring someone you “just came across”, through online services or walk-ins is a no-no. You do not need a prophet to let you know that is just courting trouble. It is obvious that you will only rely on the information they give you which is dangerous. Working with the references given to you at that point may not be reliable as they are probably contacts set up to “convince” you to let down your guard. You have to be more cautious. Remember you will be opening up your home to these strangers and give them to your most prized possessions- your family.

1. B) TRUST THE SOURCE: okay so you know your source, do you trust the source. Knowing and trusting are two different things. Remember the word of God “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Cor 13:9”. No one knows anyone completely, only God has that ability! A lot of times when we work in recommendations and referrals, it’s usually assumption based – “I know my friend and trust her opinion”, “If s/he has worked at that place, then s/he must be good”, “I have used her for years, she knows what I want”. The plain truth is that our reliance on those assumptions make us let down our guard. While it is good to know your source and have someone to identify the hired help with, it is not enough reason to completely entrust your home and children to the hired help. Hired help agents are in business to make a profit. Many do not profile their house helps well because profiling cost money which they are out to make and not lose. Think of how much you discover of yourself daily and you will realise that the Agent is also evolving too and may not be able to guarantee the actions of the hired help.

1. C) BALANCE OF SKILL: there are mainly two types of hired help- the ones with no skills (who will test your patience with their sluggish and annoying attitude and the skilful ones (who are so crafty that they are crooks). You take your pick. Unfortunately, by the time you train the non-skilful ones to a level that they can begin to serve you, they leave on the usual pretext of a “death in the family”- it’s either the mother or father died!.

The skilful ones have an agenda. It’s either to serve and leave after a year, or they become evil. The ones who are skilful and God fearing are very few. It’s only by the mercies of God that you come across this fast going into extinction type of hired help.

No longer are hired help brought from the village and can barely speak English. Nowadays, they have been in the city and worked in various places before getting to yours. They are exposed and very IT savvy (some have more phones than you do!). As the woman who interviews most of the hired help in the home. It’s advisable for you to “watch and pray”.  A hired help that is too “IT savvy” is too psychedelic for you. Do not invite trouble into your home because of desperation. What you need is someone to help you with housework not a contender for your role as a wife. Balance is the key.

(To be continued next weee