Brain Food For Your Child

Source: Brain Food For Your Child

The following nutrients are important for the brain development of your child.

1. AA (arachionic acid)

This acid is very important in the early development of the brain of children. One study in USA suggests that infants given sufficient AA demonstrating significant improvement in intelligence such as improvement in reading and spelling skill.

Other than this, AA also plays an important role in the vision development of the children.

2. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

Docosahexanenoic acid is the most abundant component in the brain and retina. For baby, DHA plays an important role in the growth and development of the central nervous system as well as the visual functions.

3. Folate

Folate is also known as folic acid. It can improve one's memory and slow down the effect of ageing. A deficiency of folate may cause an increased risk of depression.

4. Phospholipids

Phospholipids act as the building block of the biological cell membranes and participate in the transduction of biological signal across the membrane.

5. Taurine

Taurine is commonly found in infant formula milk. It is an amino acid that can be produced by our human body. It plays an important role in detoxification and the regulation of nerve-cell activity.

Taurine is an antioxidant that can reduce the chance of retinal lesion and visual deterioration. Some researches had found that taurine could improve cognitive learning of the infant and children.

6. Choline

Choline is critical for the brain and intelligence development of the infant and children.

7. Lutein

Lutein is concentrated in the retinas of our human eyes and it is an important component for visual development of the infant and children by keeping our eyes safe from oxidative stress and high-energy content light such as blue light or ultraviolet radiation. It is so important to our eyes that some scientists call it the 'eye vitamin'.

Read further here to see the food source of these brain nutrition. 

新加坡女佣

来源：新加坡女佣

据估计，新加坡每五户家庭就有一个家庭雇用外籍女佣，一些家庭因各种原因还雇用了两个女佣。

在新加坡雇用女佣的费用

女佣月薪在$ 450到$ 500不等。菲律宾女佣大概在$500或$500以上，印尼，印度，缅甸，斯里兰卡女佣则可能在$450或以上。有经验的女佣可能会要求更高的月薪。

除了月薪，您每月还需要支付外籍女佣税。不同的家庭状况需要支付的外籍女佣税有所不同。如果家里有12岁以下的小孩或者65岁以上的老人， 并且符合一定的条件，外籍女佣税则为 $120. 如果不符合条件，需要支付的外籍女佣税则为$265.

聘请女佣每月需要的开销还包括食品，水电和洗浴用品的支出。据估计，这些方面的支出大概在$300元左右。

如果你是第一次聘请女佣，您还需要支付女佣中介费，其范围大概在500元左。其他可能需要支付的前期费用还包括女佣人身意外保险， 女佣体检费用，机票费，雇主须知课程费用。

你可以参考下面文章：在新加坡聘请女佣的费用以了解详细信息。

2在新加坡聘请女佣的步骤

通过女佣介绍所或就业机构聘请女佣大概需时约4至6星期。您可以在新加坡人力部网站寻找有登记注册的女佣介绍所。具体网址为：http://mom.gov.sg/eadirectory/Pages/search.aspx

女佣中介所或职业介绍所过后将会提供女佣的详细资料助你挑选女佣。挑选合意的女佣过后，你可以通过电话，网络摄像头或面对面方式面试女佣。

在选择完你想要的女佣后，您将需要为女佣购买人身意外保险以及申请外籍女佣工作准证，以及带女佣去做体检。当然，通常情况下，女佣介绍所都会帮你处理这些事务。

如果你是第一次雇用女佣，你将需要参加新加坡人力部规定的雇主须知课程。

有关聘请女佣的具体步骤，你可以参考在新加坡雇用女佣的步骤。

女佣介绍所

新加坡大约有1000间大小不一的女佣介绍所或职业介绍所。您可以通过人力部网站了解所有有登记注册的女佣介绍所。

新加坡人力部在其网站还提供一些有关女佣介绍所服务水平的指标，如违规积分，外籍女佣一年内留用于同一雇主成功率，转介率等。

具体你可以参考这篇文章来挑选合适的女佣介绍所。

在新加坡聘请转介女佣

直接聘请转介女佣有很多好处，如节省女佣来新加坡的机票钱以及其他费用。

你可以参考这里了解聘请转介女佣更多的好处以及如何聘请转介女佣。

管理你的女佣

女佣也需要得到尊重。管理好女佣对雇主和女佣双方都有好处。

因此， 在你女佣到来之后，你就应该向女佣传达你的工作期望，家里的一些规则，你对卫生等方面的个人偏好，适当的工作时间表。 你还应当给女佣提供适当的培训，熟悉你家里的家电以及其他工具，让女佣更快习惯新的工作环境。

参考这里了解如何管理女佣。

女佣相关问题

冲突或问题随时都可能会出现。在任何情况下，不要用语言侮辱你的女佣，更不要动手打女佣，这样做都将让你遭受法律的制裁。

其他可能出现的严重问题包括女佣怀孕，在女佣怀孕后你必须遣送她回国，否则将会失去保险按柜金。

其他严重的问题则包括女佣逃跑或在她的休息日做兼职工作。

如何挑选合适的女佣

来源：如何挑选合适的女佣

挑选女佣跟挑选一个好的女佣中介一样重要。毕竟在你没有更换女佣之前,你每天都需要跟女佣打交道。在这篇文章中，我们希望能够提供读者一些建议，帮助读者挑选合适的女佣.我们也提供了一些问题, 可以在读者面试女佣的时候派上用场.

挑选女佣- 认清自己的期望？

一个符合你期望的女佣就是最好的女佣。在你联系女佣中介之前,你就应该想清楚你为什么需要一个女佣, 你对女佣有什么样的期望

下面是一些你可以考虑的问题？

1。我能负担的费用范围是多少？菲律宾女佣和有经验的女佣每月要求的工资一般都比较高。

2。你需要女佣来照顾你的宝宝，孩子或你的父母吗？

如果你需要女佣来照顾宝宝，你可能需要一个有照料儿童经验的女佣，或者一个愿意学习如何照顾孩子的女佣。

如果你的孩子处于好动时期或者喜欢跑来跑去，那么你应该雇用那些看起来精力旺盛的女佣。 毕竟，照顾一个好动的孩子需要有非常好的体力。

3。你有没有耐心去教导女佣做家务以及如何照顾孩子老人吗？如果你没有这份耐心，你可能需要聘请一个已经在新加坡工作一段时间的女佣。

4。你的女佣需要会说流利的英语吗？你在面试的时候可以准备多点问题，看女佣是如何回答你。

5。你有什么需要女佣遵守的家庭规则吗？比如说，你对女佣使用你家固定电话或者用她自己的手机是否有一定的要求？ 如果有，在面试女佣的时候需要拿出来讲。确保双方有一定的共识。

挑选女佣 - 国籍和语言

有些雇主可能会比较喜欢菲律宾女佣，只因为这些雇主觉得菲律宾女佣的英语会比较好，容易沟通。通常，菲律宾女佣的英语的确会比较好，但其他国家的女佣如印尼或者缅甸的女佣也可以讲很好的 英语，因此，在挑选女佣的时候，不要因为女佣的国籍而不给她机会。 最重要的是你在面试的时候仔细聆听女佣的回答，看她是否明白你的问题以及你是否明白她的答复。 在此基础上，你才可以判断女佣是否能很好地与你沟通。

挑选女佣– 面试

面试是挑选女佣过程中最重要的一个环节，你不仅可以通过面试了解女佣是否能够很好与你沟通， 你也可以通过面试判断女佣对家庭佣工这份工作的态度，以及可能影响你决定的其他事宜。

下面是一些样本问题供你在面试的时候使用

点击这里查看可以使用在面试女佣使用的问题

挑选女佣– 新女佣对比有经验的女佣

聘请有经验的女佣有一些好处，有经验的女佣已经克服了思乡病，在工作上可以更加专心。当然，有经验的女佣的工资要求也通常比较高。

有些雇主还反馈，有经验的女佣会比较 “聪明”，更加难以管理，因为这些有经验的女佣更加懂得如何应付雇主。

新女佣工资会比较低，但你可能需要花更多的时间来培训她，她也可能需要时间适应新加坡生活以及女佣这个角色。

挑选女佣– 新加坡工作经历

如果女佣曾经在新加坡工作或目前在新加坡工作，你可通过新加坡人力部(MOM)的网站查询她的就业记录。 具体的网址是http://www.mom.gov.sg/services-forms/Pages/wp-online-fdw.aspx

要检查女佣的就业记录，你需要使用你的SINGPASS来登陆人力部的这个网址。

要检查女佣的工作经历，你还需要有女佣的工作准证号码，或外国人识别号码(FIN)或使用女佣的身份资料如姓名，性别，出生年月日，国籍。

大部分的女佣中介或职业介绍所在你提出要求查看女佣的就业记录的时候都会主动让你查看。

你该注意的地方-女佣在每个雇主工作的时间？

如果她在任何一个雇主工作的时间超过1年以上，你可以考虑给她面试的机会。

如果她在所有雇主工作的时间都比较短，那么你可能要询问女佣中介或者女佣本人为什么在每个雇主工作的时候都那么短。确保女佣或者中介给的理由让你信服，否则不要聘用这种女佣。

虽然就业记录可以帮我们判断女佣的为人以及工作的态度，我们也应该明白：雇主的为人以及雇主个人的需求也影响着女佣受雇时间的长短。

有些雇主，会因为女佣的小错误而虐待她或者语言上侮辱她。如果你每天都有读报纸，你应该知道这种情况并不少见。

我也遇过几个雇主，他们只在家庭成员生病、生活上需要帮助的时候才聘请女佣。当他们的家庭成员恢复了日常生活技能，他们就不再需要女佣了。

希望上面的信息可以帮助你找到一个很好的女佣.

新加坡女佣

挑选合适的女佣中介

来源：挑选女佣中介

新加坡有超过1000间大小不一的女佣中介或职业介绍所。它们所提供的服务配套各有不同，收取的中介费用也有很大的差别。有些女佣中介机构不收取任何女佣介绍费，有的则收费高达1000元以上。 选择一个好的女佣介绍所因此显得非常困难。在这篇文章中，我们希望能为你提供一些指导或提示，协助你选择一个合适的女佣介绍所。

应该注意的是，即使是最有口碑，或者收费最贵的女佣中介也没有办法保证你会挑选到一个非常理想的外籍女佣。

1。如何开始寻找女佣介绍所？

首先， 你可以先从访问新加坡人力部（MOM）网站开始。具体的网址是http://www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory/Pages/search.aspx 在这个网址，你可以找到新加坡所有有注册登记的女佣介绍所或职业介绍所。 你也可以通过当中的选项，选择查看你住家附近的女佣介绍所。

2。如何对比女佣介绍所

对比女佣介绍所1：违规积分

违规积分当然是越少越好。你可以通过人力部的网站来查询女佣介绍所的违规积分。

所谓的违规积分，是人力部在女佣介绍机构违反相关法律或法规而给与的记分处罚。当一个女佣介绍所累计了12或更多的违规积分， 女佣介绍所将会被人力部列入重点监视对象。 你可以在人力部的网站找到这些遭人力部重点监察的女佣介绍所或职业中介。

对比女佣介绍所2：外籍女佣（FDW）留在同一雇主的成功率

如果女佣介绍所介绍的女佣多数在一年内为同一雇主工作，则女佣介绍所的这个指标会比较好。

通常，这个指标的比率越高越好。

对比女佣介绍所3：外籍女佣的转介率

如果女佣介绍所介绍的女佣在一年内需要更换3个或者更多的雇主，这个比率就会偏高。

通常，这个指标的比率越低越好。

对比女佣介绍所4：免费更换女佣

女佣介绍所是否让你免费地无次数限制地更换女佣？最好是找那些可以让你免费更换女佣的女佣介绍所或职业中介机构。

一些女佣介绍所也可能要求你必须试用女佣一段规定时间后，才可以要求更换女佣。因此，一定要在签约前跟女佣介绍所的工作人员了解清楚。

经常更换女佣会有很多不好的地方，建议你花点心思来管理女佣，好好与女佣沟通，尽量避免经常更换女佣。

对比女佣介绍所5：代理费与服务范围

女佣介绍所收取的代理费必须是合理的。由于不同的女佣介绍所提供服务配套不同，因此你不能纯粹用女佣代理费来比较女佣介绍所。

您应询问以下服务项目是否包含在女佣中介费中以及是否有额外的收费？

1. 去机场接女佣
3. 接送女佣去做体检以及规定的测试
4. 接送女佣去人力部做去拇指印收集以及拍照做工作准证
5. 女佣介绍所是否会帮你办理女佣人身保险以及按柜金保险，你是否需要支付当中的费用？
6. 女佣介绍所是否会帮你注册雇主须知课程

在你比较各家女佣介绍所收费的时候，你都应该考虑上面这些因素。

对比女佣介绍所6：书面合约

一个适当的书面合约是很重要的。曾有读者在网上透露，有些女佣中介机构不提供任何书面合约。

建议读者不要选择那些没有提供书面合约的女佣介绍所或职业介绍所。

此外，在你在合约上签字之前, 请务必认真读懂合约上每一字句，充分了解合约条款和条件。如果有疑问，应立即询问女佣介绍所的工作人员。

在你还没有确定找哪一家女佣中介之前,你也可以向各家女佣中介索取合同样本,方便你做比较.

一些你可以询问女佣介绍所的问题

下面的问题有助于全面了解女佣介绍所。

需要重点了解的事情

1。聘请女佣整个过程需要花多长时间？如果你们需要花的时间过久，我是否可以选择放弃?如果我选择放弃，我需要支付任何费用吗？

2。如果我选定的女佣没能通过人力部规定的测试，我需要支付任何费用吗？

3。你们是否提供无次数限制地免费更换女佣？

4。我是否需要试用女佣一段时间后才可以免费要求更换女佣。

5。当我把女佣交还给你们的时候， 我是否需要支付女佣每天的食物和住宿开销直到女佣找到新的雇主？如果需要的话？我每天需要支付多少钱？

有关服务配套与代理费的问题

1。女佣体检的费用是否包括在中介费里面？如果没有，我需要支付多少钱来给女佣做体检。

2。当我领取女佣时，我是否需要马上支付女佣贷款（maid loan）,你们是否有免利息的女佣贷款分期付款服务。

3。你们是否会去机场接送女佣？这方面的服务是否有额外的收费？

4．女佣到我家后，你们是否会派人来我家，接女佣去人力部所指纹收集以及拍照做外籍女佣工作准证，然后再送女佣回我家？这项服务有任何额外的费用吗？

5。你们是否免费送女佣的工作准证到我家？

6。你们是否会帮我们购买女佣的人身保险以及按柜金保险？保险的费用是否包括在女佣介绍费里面？

7。在女佣合约结束后，我是否需要支付女佣回国的机票费？

8。你会帮我注册雇主须知课程吗？

其他相关问题

1。女佣的工资是多少？

2。你们提供的女佣是否有经过培训？

希望上面的信息可以帮助你找到一个很好的女佣介绍所和理想的女佣。

新加坡女佣

How to Select a Maid

Source: How to Select a Maid

Introduction to Selecting a Maid

Selecting a maid is as important as selecting a maid agency. After all, maid will be the person that you are going to interact everyday if you do not change her. In this article, we hope to give you some suggestions on how to select a maid that can better meet your expectation. We also provide some questions that you can use during interview with the maid.

Select a Maid - What is your expectation?

A maid that matches your expectation is the best maid. Before you go to the employment agency or maid agency, you should ask yourself why you need the maid and list down your expectation of maid. Here is some questions to ask yourself?

1. How much can I afford? Filipino and Experienced Maid usually cost higher per month.

2. Do you need the maid to take care of your baby, your child or your parents?

If you need the maid to take care of baby, you may need a maid that has the experience of taking care of baby or a maid that is willing to learn to take good care of baby.

If your child is very active, then you should avoid employing those maids that may not be energetic enough to handle him or her. You know that, taking care of an active child is very tiring and your maid needs to be energetic enough to do the job.

If you need the maid to take care of baby, you also need the maid to have the necessary skills to handle your baby in case of emergency. So you should prepare to give a maid a few emergency scenarios to respond to you during the interview.

3. Do you have the patience to teach maid to do household chore? If not, you may need to employ an experienced maid that has settled in Singapore for some times.

4. Do you need the maid to be fluent in English? If yes, do watch out how maid communicate with you during the interview.

5. What are the house rules that you like your maid to follow? For example, you may think write down how you like your maid to use your home fixed phone line and maid's personal hand phone. Do think carefully what is acceptable to you and what is unacceptable to you and raise the question during interview.

Select a Maid - Nationality and Language

Some people I know prefer maids from Philippine out of the belief that Filipino maid speak better English. It may be true the Filipino maid in general speak better English, but Indonesian maids or maids from other countries can also speak good English. What is important for you is to prepare sufficient questions to ask her during interview and watch out how she reply you during the interview. Based on this, you can then really tell whether the maid can communicate well enough with you.

Select a Maid - Interview

Interview is very important, not only you can find out how well the maid can speak English, you can also find out how committed the maid is in the job as well as other matters that may be important to you.

Here are some sample questions you can ask your maid during interview?

General Questions

• Can you describe your daily work activity like what time you wake up and what you do?
• What do you think a good domestic helper should possess?
• What is your strength as a good domestic helper?
• For transfer maid, you may ask why she leaves her current employer?

Commitment

• Why do you want to work in Singapore?
• Do you need to support your family financially?
• Do you need to send back money monthly?

Usually, if the maids need the money, she may be more motivated than those whose family is relative rich.

Skill related questions

• Do you have kids at home?
• Do you like children?
• How do you handle a crying baby?
• If my baby fell down and hurt herself badly under your care. What could you do?
• What could you do if you think my child need to be scolded and punished?
• What dish can you cook?

Employer and Employee Relationship

• What would you do if you are not happy with us?
• What would you do if you think you have too many things to handle?
• What is your definition of a good employer?
• Will you share with us any unhappiness or difficulty that you face?

Other concerns you may have

1. The maid may need to go back within 2 year before contract expire.

• Do you have boy friend, when do you plan to get married? (if within 2 years, then the maid may need to go back for marriage)
• Do you have sibling at home? (if not, she may need to go back when her parents is sick)

2. Use of Hand phone (This create many conflicts in many maid-employer relationship and you better have an agreement with the maid on this before signing the deal)

• We understand you need to use the hand phone to communicate with family members, friends or others. When do you think is an appropriate time for you to use it? When do you think it is inappropriate for you to use?

Select a Maid - New or Experienced

Hiring an experienced maid may be a good choice as experienced maid have overcome home sickness and get used to life in Singapore. But of course, it is more costly to hire an experienced maid.

Some employers also report that the experienced maid are "smarter" and may be hard to manage as they know how to handle the boss.

New maid is usually cheaper, but you may need more time to train her to the job and she may need time to adapt to the life in Singapore.

Select a Maid - Employment History

If the maid has worked in Singapore before or is currently in Singapore, you can check her employment history through MOM website http://www.mom.gov.sg/services-forms/Pages/wp-online-fdw.aspx

To check the maid's employment history, you need to login to the system using your SINGPASS.

To check maid's employment history, you still need to have maid's Work permit number, or worker's foreign identification number or using maid's personal particular such as name, gender, date of birth, nationality.

Most of the maid agency will be able to show you the maid's employment history if you request for it.

What to check for employment history

1. Number of employer(s) that the maid has worked for and length of employment period with each employer?

If any of her employment periods can last more than 1 year, you may consider giving her an interview.

If all her employment period is short, then you may want to ask the maid personally or the maid agency why the employment is short and made sure the reason is able to convince you.

While employment history can give a rough idea of how good the maid is, we also need to bear in mind that the length of employment period is also affected by the maid's previous employers.

There are employers who are really abusive and do not treat maid like a human being. If you read the newspaper every day, you know this is not rare.

I also come across with a few employers who just need the maid for a few month as their parents or family member was sick. When their family members recover and are able to manage day to day activity, they then return the maid to agency.

Hope the above information can help you to find a good maid.

Maids in Singapore

How to Select a Maid Agency in Singapore

Source: How to Select Maid Agency in Singpore

Introduction to Maid Agency in Singapore

There are about 1000 maid agencies or employment agencies of different sizes in Singapore, offering different kinds of service package, charging an agent fee that may range from $0 to more than $1000, this makes selecting a good maid agency very difficult for many. In this article, we hope to offer readers some guides or tips on selecting a good maid agency.
It should be taken note that even the most established one or the most reputable or the one charged you the highest cannot guarantee you that you will get your ideal maid.

How to start finding a maid agency?

You may consider visiting the MOM website for a list of licensed maid agency. Employing a maid through unlicensed maid agency may get you into trouble. http://www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory/Pages/search.aspx
On this MOM website, you will be able to find a lot of maid agencies. You may first start visiting the maid agency that is located within your neighborhood. It is recommended that you visit 2 or 3 maid agencies before engaging one to help you in the end.

How to Evaluate a Maid Agency

Evaluate a Maid Agency 1: Demerit points

This information is provided by the Ministry of Manpower on the website listed above. Of course, you should visit those maid agencies that have the lowest demerit points.
Demerit points are issue to the maid agencies by the Ministry of Manpower when the maid agency infringes the Employment Agencies Act, Rules or Licensing Conditions. An agency which accumulates 12 or more demerits point will be placed on the MOM's surveillance list. You can visit the website listed above to find out more.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 2: Foreign domestic worker (FDW) retention success rate

This rate is a percentage of foreign domestic worker placed by the maid agency or employment for the period Mar 2010 to Mar 2012 and had stayed with the same employer for at least 365 days. The rate for each maid agency can be found on the MOM website. A higher rate is usually desirable.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 3: Foreign domestic worker transfer rate

This means the percentage of foreign domestic workers, within the past 12 months, have been placed the same employment to 3 or more employers out of the total number of foreign domestic worker it placed. The rate for each maid agency can be found on the MOM website.A lower rate is usually desirable.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 4: Free Replacement of maid

Can you exchange maid for free? Do go for maid agency that provide at least a few times of replacement of maid at zero cost.
Some agencies will also require you to use the maid for a minimum period of time before you can ask for a change.
But do take note that the Ministry of Manpower may make it hard for you to apply for work permit if you change maid too frequently. There are other disadvantages of changing maid, you can read management of maids for further details.
Make sure you read the written contract carefully regarding the replacement of maid!

Evaluate a Maid Agency 5. Agency Fee Vs Service Coverage

Agency fee should be reasonable, of course. But you should also look at the service coverage. Different maid agencies will offer kinds of service package, hence you cannot compare the maid agency by purely basing on agency fee.
You should check with maid agency whether the following services is included in the package and is there any additional charge for hiring the maid?

• Collect maid at airport for you
• Send maid for stipulated test and send maid to your house
• Send maid for medical examination and thumb print, photo-taking at the Ministry of Manpower
• Will the maid agency help you to apply the insurance and does the insurance fee included in the package? Does the insurance cover the security bond?
• Will the maid agency help you to register the employee orientation program and pay the fee on your behalf?

All these should be taken into consideration when you are comparing the agency fee.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 6. Written Contract

A proper written contract is important. It was reported online that some agencies does not provide any written contract.
Do not go for any maid agencies that do not have any proper written contact.
Furthermore, Before you sign the contract, do read every single line of statement to fully understand the terms and conditions. Do clarify with the maid agencies if you have other doubt, never assume.
When you are considering which maid agency to engage, you may ask maid agencies for copies of their written contracts for your own reference and easy for you to make comparison.

Read further about questions to ask maid agency

Maids in Singapore

Source: Maids in Singapore

Introduction to Maids in Singapore

It has been estimated that one in five households in Singapore has a maid, with some households having two maids for various reasons.

Cost of having a maid in Singapore

Monthly salary of maid is around $450 to $500 and the more experienced maids may request for even more.

Other than the monthly salary, you also need to pay foreign domestic worker levy on a monthly basis which can range from $120 to $265.

Other monthly costs of having a maid include expenditures on food, utility and toiletry.

When you hire maid for the first time, you also need to pay maid agency fee which can range from $1000 to $2000, depending on the service coverage. Other upfront costs include expenditure on insurance, medical examination, air tickets and fee for employer orientation program.

You can refer cost of hiring maid in Singapore for details.

Steps of Hiring a Maid through Maid Agencies in Singapore

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to hire a maid through maids agencies or employment agencies. You can refer to MOM website for a list of licensed maid agencies.

After selecting maid agencies, maid agency will provide bio-data of available maids to you and you will interview your choice maid through phone, webcam or face to face which will be arranged by the maid agency.

After selecting your desired maid, you will need to buy insurance for your choice maid, apply work permit for her and bring her for medical checkup. These are usually done by the maid agencies.

If you are hiring maid for the first time, you will be required to attend the employer orientation program conducted by the ministry of manpower.

Please click step hiring maid in Singapore for details

Maid Agencies in Singapore

There are about 1000 maid agencies or employment agencies in Singapore. You can get a list of them through the Ministry of Manpower websites for the licensed maid agencies or employment agencies.

MOM also track the credibility and service quality of the maid agency by introducing the demerit point, foreign domestic worker success retention rate and foreign domestic worker transfer rate.

You can read further here on how to select a maid agency in Singapore.

Hiring A Transfer Maid in Singapore

Hiring transfer maid offer some advantages such as saving money on air ticket and getting a more experienced maid.

You can click here on how to hire a transfer maid in Singapore to learn other advantages and how to do it.

Management of Maids in Singapore

Maid is just like another person that needs to be respected. A good management of maids will be beneficial to both parties.

Good management of maids require setting proper expectations, house rules and personal preference of you and your family and appropriate timetable and communicate these to your maid upon her arrival. Proper training of tools and appliance should also be provided to help maid to get used to new working environment easier and faster.

Click Management of Maids to learn how to manage your maid in details

Maid Related Problems in Singapore

Conflicts or problems can occur. In any situation, do not ever physically or verbally abuse your maid, doing so will get you into jail and fine.

Serious problem include maid get pregnant in which you have to send her back immediately else you will risk losing security deposit.

Other serious problem include maid running away or doing part time job during her off day.

For details, you can take a look on how to deal with maid related serious problems that may occur to your maid.

Fertility and Vitamins

 Source: Fertility and Vitamins

Some studies have shown that women that have sufficient vitamins in their bodies are twice likely to get pregnant as compared to those women that do not take sufficient vitamins daily.

Couples, therefore should consider having vitamin supplement if they want to have baby.

Here are some of the vitamins or minerals that are important to fertility:

Vitamin B12 and Fertility:

For men, deficiency of this vitamin can lead to reduced sperm counts and motility.

For women, deficiency of this vitamin has been found to be related to recurrent miscarriage. It also interfere with normal cell division and ovulation. It also affect how the fertilized egg is implanted in the lining of the uterus.

Vitamin C and Fertility:

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help to maintain the quality of semen and sperm. Lack of this antioxidant is found to cause the sperms to clump together which decreases their motility.

Read further on Vitamin and Fertility to Learn Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Fertility

Prevent constipation after delivery

Source: Prevent constipation after delivery

Lack of fibre in the diet, staying in bed for too long causing the slow down of the movement of intestine and frequent sweating of the mother can all lead to constipation in the mother after delivery.

Postpartum constipation can be prevented through proper diet, appropriate exercises and adequate sleep.

Appropriate exercises can prevent constipation. If the mother had a normal vaginal delivery, mother can start to get out of bed in the next day. You should slowly increase the amount of time you spend outside the bed and try to walk more. This can help to relieve constipation.

Adequate sleep is also an effective way of preventing constipation. To ensure the new mother has sufficient sleep, other family members or maid, or nanny should help to do the house chore and other works and the new mother should try to sleep when her child is sleeping.

In addition, you may want to include the following into your diet: honey, milk, peanut, sesame seeds. All these food items have a laxative effect which can help to prevent constipation.

Maids Management in Singapore

Source: How to Manage Your Maid in Singapore

Regardless of her background, your maid is just like any other person that deserves to be respected. You are indeed the boss and you should treat your maid in a way that you like your boss to treat you.

Why management of your maid important?

Treating your maid fairly will bring you lot of benefit, both tangible and intangible. It is therefore worth the effort on trying to make her employment with you a happy one.

Firstly, you can save lots of time and money on changing maids. If you change maid too frequently, the Ministry of Manpower will also make it hard for you to apply work permit for new maid.

Secondly, if your maid is looking after your baby, it is going to take some time for your baby to get used to the practice of your new maid. Sometimes, your baby may not be able sleep well or experience anxiety when you have a new maid at home.

If your maid is looking after your parents, your parents may prefer to stick to old maid as they have gotten used to the way the old maid helps them.

Thirdly, you are going to spend another round of time and effort on training your new maid to use your household tools and appliances and communicating your household rule and expectations.

Lastly, a happy maid is an efficient maid. A happy maid may go the extra mile to help you and look after your baby just like her own baby and your parents just like her parents.

How should I manage my maid?

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 1. SET REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND COMMUNICATE THEM TO MAID

Before you employ a maid, you should think very carefully about your expectation of a maid.

When you interview the maid through phone, webcam or face-to-face, you may want to mention some of these expectations and see how the maid responds to them.

Write your expectations down and pass it to your maid once she arrives. You may want to write them on a paper and paste it on wall where your maid can easily see just in case she may forget some of them.

To go the extra step, you may consider translating your expectation into your maid's mother tongue just in case there is a language barrier.

When you write your expectations clearly, it is also going to benefit your maid as she knows what she is expected and make herself fit into the job easier and faster.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 2. PROPER TRAINING

Your maid agency may have provided some sort of training to the maid, but you still need to train your maid in the first few weeks after her arrival. This is because tools used by the maid agencies may be different from those at your house. Such training can help your maid to get used to the working environment faster.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 3. REASONABLE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

You should give your maid 7 to 8 hours to sleep, enough food to eat to keep her fit and healthy. This can also make sure she has enough energy to do all the tasks assigned by you.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 4. A SCHEDULE OR TIMETABLE

It is good to have a schedule for your maid, you may pass the schedule to her when she arrives.

In your schedule, you may want to specify how frequent you want your maid to sweep the floor, clean the kitchen and toilet, clean window and how much time she should spend on playing your child. Be as specific as possible so that your maid can follow easily.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 5. YOUR HOUSE RULES

You may also want to communicate your house rules to your maid. For example, you may not want your maid to enter your bedroom without your permission. You may want to limit the number of calls she can make using your home fixed line. You may like her to switch her hand phone to silent mode at night.

Again, write them down and pass it to your maid.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 6. YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE AND COMMON SENSE

Same task, different people may do it differently using different method with different input, taking different amount of time. For example, you use three buckets of water to sweep the floor, but your maid may just want to use two. Do not get offended when your maid carries out the task differently from yours. Try to communicate your preference to your maid if you are not comfortable with her method of carrying out the task.

Furthermore, a matter may be common sense to you, but it may not be a common sense to another person. Do not use common sense as an excuse to judge your maid. Do not forget your maid's background is perhaps totally different from you.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 7. CONSISTENT FEEDBACK

Try to give your maid feedback so that she knows whether she has done a good job or not. If there is anything you like her to improve, try to feedback to her and do not sound that you are scolding her. If she has done anything excellent, do praise her for the good work.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 8. INCENTIVES FOR GOOD WORK

You may want to reward your maid for the good work done, in the form of a small amount of cash or an extra day off or anything your maid may like. Everyone, including us, will respond positively to the incentives.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 9. DO NOT OVERDEPENDENCE ON YOUR MAID

Do you still remember the picture showing a maid carrying a soldier's bag? This picture had gone viral online and media, online or offline, all over the world had reported it.

Do you remember another picture showing a maid helping her female employer to tie shoe laces?

Definitely you do not want your child to grow up to be weak soldier. Although maid is a domestic helper, there are many things you or your family members should do on your own.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 10. USE OF HAND PHONE

Use of hand phone has caused many conflicts between maid and employer and some employers even resort to confiscate maid's hand phone to prevent maid from using it. It is right that a maid should not use hand phone during work, especially when she is looking after your baby. However employer should not restrict maid from using hand phone when she has completed all tasks and your baby is asleep. Confiscating her phone should only be the last resort if your maid is caught using phone often while looking after your baby or parents.

MANAGEMENT OF MAID 11. DO NOT EVER ABUSE YOUR MAID

If you do not like your maid for various reasons, do not ever abuse maid verbally or physically, you can simply change her or even badmouth her online. But if you abuse her verbally or physically, you may get into the trouble with law.

A healthy employer-employee relationship is beneficial to both you and the maid. It should start with first a proper communication with reasonable expectation, house rule and personal preference, follow by consistent feedback and rewards for good work. If you manage your maid well and she is willing to follow, she may in the end become an integral part of your family.

Maids in Singapore

Source: Maids in Singapore

Introduction to Maids in Singapore

It has been estimated that one in five households in Singapore has a maid, with some households having two maids for various reasons.

Cost of having a maid in Singapore

Monthly salary of maid is around $450 to $500 and the more experienced maids may request for even more.

Other than the monthly salary, you also need to pay foreign domestic worker levy on a monthly basis which can range from $120 to $265.

Other monthly costs of having a maid include expenditures on food, utility and toiletry.

When you hire maid for the first time, you also need to pay maid agency fee which can range from $1000 to $2000, depending on the service coverage. Other upfront costs include expenditure on insurance, medical examination, air tickets and fee for employer orientation program.

You can refer cost of hiring maid in Singapore for details.

Steps of Hiring a Maid through Maid Agencies in Singapore

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to hire a maid through maids agencies or employment agencies. You can refer to MOM website for a list of licensed maid agencies.

After selecting maid agencies, maid agency will provide bio-data of available maids to you and you will interview your choice maid through phone, webcam or face to face which will be arranged by the maid agency.

After selecting your desired maid, you will need to buy insurance for your choice maid, apply work permit for her and bring her for medical checkup. These are usually done by the maid agencies.

If you are hiring maid for the first time, you will be required to attend the employer orientation program conducted by the ministry of manpower.

Please click step hiring maid in Singapore for details

Maid Agencies in Singapore

There are about 1000 maid agencies or employment agencies in Singapore. You can get a list of them through the Ministry of Manpower websites for the licensed maid agencies or employment agencies.

MOM also track the credibility and service quality of the maid agency by introducing the demerit point, foreign domestic worker success retention rate and foreign domestic worker transfer rate.

Hiring A Transfer Maid in Singapore

Hiring transfer maid offer some advantages such as saving money on air ticket and getting a more experienced maid.

You can click here on how to hire a transfer maid in Singapore to learn other advantages and how to do it.

Management of Maids in Singapore

Maid is just like another person that needs to be respected. A good management of maids will be beneficial to both parties.

Good management of maids require setting proper expectations, house rules and personal preference of you and your family and appropriate timetable and communicate these to your maid upon her arrival. Proper training of tools and appliance should also be provided to help maid to get used to new working environment easier and faster.

Click Management of Maids to learn how to manage your maid in details

Maid Related Problems in Singapore

Conflicts or problems can occur. In any situation, do not ever physically or verbally abuse your maid, doing so will get you into jail and fine.

Serious problem include maid get pregnant in which you have to send her back immediately else you will risk losing security deposit.

Other serious problem include maid running away or doing part time job during her off day.

For details, you can take a look on how to deal with maid related serious problems that may occur to your maid.

Nosebleed during pregnancy

Source: Nosebleed during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is more likely for expectant mothers to suffer from nosebleed. This is because during pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone estrogen in the body. This hormone causes blood vessel dilatation which can result in nosebleeding in the expectant mothers more easily. Also, there is an increase in the blood volume during pregnancy in the body of the expectant mother, this increase in blood volume also puts pressure on the blood vessels and causes them to rupture more easily and therefore nosebleed.

What to do when it occurs to me?

Once it occurs, expectant mothers should sit and raise heads slightly. Using your thumb and the first finger to put pressure on the lower part of the nose. Nosebleed usually lasts for more than 5 minutes, hence you should not let go your hands for 5 for 10 minutes. You should time it using a clock or a watch as most of us will become curious to see whether it has stopped after 2 to 3 minutes.

You can also apply cold or iced towel to your forehead which can help to promote local vasoconstriction which can help to reduce bleeding and accelerate healing.

If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, you should check with doctor. If it occurs to you very often, you should also seek doctor's help.

How to prevent?

• Nosebleed is usually triggered by dryness. You should therefore drink more fluid to keep your nose and whole body well hydrated.
• Put a humidifier in your room if you use air-conditioner very often.
• Do not pick your nose, especially after nosebleed.
• You may apply some ointment or lubricant which can be found in the local pharmacies to reduce dryness in nostrils.