PA for Hero

Matilda & I went to the agency @ Katong to fetch Zarah on Wed when she arrived in SG. With my brother moving in with his wife and baby on Friday, my place is suddenly becoming very 'alive' and crowded but I'm more than happy for this to happen. I'm one who doesn't enjoy emptiness and solitude, so in a way having so many peoples around is good for me too, not only for Hero. For Zarah, it means she had to stay over at Matilda's place for the time being until my brother moves out and it'll be back to few peoples staying in a fairly big house.

Zarah gave me the impression that she knows her stuff and am able to remember instructions well. Perhaps this had to do with her ex-employers who used to teach and monitor her rather closely. However, it's gonna be the complete opposite with our family because we definitely wouldn't have the time to monitor her that closely as her previous employer does. Tapping on my limited experience with managing :

1. I gave her the freedom to get things organised in the way she likes and not micro-manage. I 'd step in only after the job is done and correct her if needed. I personally believed that in this way, it kinds of gave the 'do-er' a sense of ownership.
2. I wouldn't order her around but instead requested that she 'help' me to do things. This will make the 'do-er' feel like he/she is being roped in to help as compared to a feeling of having been 'demanded' to complete a task.

Her primary role is to keep an eye on Hero, cook for him and also to keep the house in order. If Hero goes out, she's supposed to follow him so that he wouldn't get lost. This is especially important due to the previous incident whereby Hero 'lost' his memory.

For me, I'd try not to ask her to do things which I can do myself. This is more for my own good than not wanting to 'let go'. I do not wish to enter into a situation whereby I'm so reliant on her that I'm handicapped without her around. You'd be surprised how many of the peoples out there had a domestic helper around in the house since they were young and never had to raise a finger to get things done. If they lose the services of the helper, they become 'handicapped' momentarily and had to adapt to having to DIY.

I RESOLVED NOT TO GET TO THAT STAGE!