How to Prepare a Kid When a Helper is Leaving?

If your domestic helper has been taking care of your child ever since he was a baby, it is obvious that he must adore her. Naturally, she has been like a second mother to him and loves and cares for him as much as you do. In such a scenario, when your kid is so attached to her, the departure of your domestic helper can hurt your child and his physical health. Losing someone he is close to, especially a loved one who has showered him with affection all his life, can be difficult for your kid to deal with. If he finds himself unable to express his pain and loneliness, it might also affect his mental well-being. Helper leaving is not an easy situation! Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you make sure that he copes with the helper leaving and the changes that will follow in an ideal and appropriate manner. The best way is to give him an emotional outlet to express his feelings and create an atmosphere that helps him move on. Here are a few tips that will guide you to help your child deal with the parting and be strong through the crisis:

Talk to your Child about your Foreign Domestic Helper

Many parents think lying to their children or hiding information from them is a good idea. However, this will only make things easier for you and not your child. If you want to help your child, you must confront him. Tell your child the truth, and tell it to him in advance. The right time to break the news to him is at least two to three weeks before your domestic helper has to leave. Do not tell him too early; the waiting period before she leaves will make him impatient. And do not tell him too late, as that will not give him enough time to get used to the news. Give him ample time to accept the news and adapt to adjustments once she leaves.

Domestic Helper Leaving? Make it Good News

Your domestic helper must have a good reason to leave; resignation is a new challenge for your family. Domestic helpers leave jobs they have been doing for several years when they get married and move to another city. Tell your child why the helper needs to leave the job and tell him that he should be delighted for her. This is significant because if you break the news to him without telling him the reason, he might think it is his fault. He may think that Auntie is leaving because of something he did wrong or because she no longer likes him. After you tell him why, see how he reacts and act accordingly. He might take the news pretty well and be excited about his Auntie getting married. If this is the case, you are lucky. However, if he behaves like you feared, he might start crying, so calm him down. Give him a hug and a chocolate and assure him everything will be fine. Tell him he is a “big boy” and is now old enough to care for himself. Next, he should understand that getting married is fantastic for his auntie and that he should be happy for her instead of crying and being sad. You can ask him to make a wedding or a departure gift for your helper to make things easier for him. This will keep him occupied until the domestic helper leaves, and he will also enjoy making presents for himself. Remember not to make false promises that cannot be fulfilled, like telling him that his Auntie will visit him every month. This might not be possible for your helper; even if it is, remember that she is getting married and will have a different life.

Give him Time to Say Goodbye During her Notice Period

Give him all the time he needs to say goodbye properly to his Auntie. Do not hurry up with their farewell, as your child needs to be sure there is nothing incomplete left for him to do with the helper. Give them time to complete all their games and storybooks, and assist your domestic helper in fulfilling any promises she might have made with your kid. Make sure all of this is done before she leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to distract your child from thinking about when his auntie will leave him, throw a going away party for your helper and get your child to help with the preparations. After all, your domestic helper has become a part of your family and deserves a memorable farewell. This will keep him busy and will ensure that he enjoys himself. Do not take your child to the airport to say goodbye to your domestic helper. Seeing his Auntie leave will be too difficult for him to handle, and he might start crying and throwing tantrums at the airport, thus creating a huge scene. Ensure that his goodbye hugs and kisses are finished a day before the day she leaves.

Prepare the Arrival of your New Domestic Helper

You are now managing the departure of your nanny and looking for a new helper! When you will start to interview some candidates, think of introducing them to your kids. This is a good way to check and prepare your kids. Following the above tips will make separation from his Auntie much easier for your child. If she agrees, you can prepare to keep your child in touch with the helper by phone. But do not extend the connection too much, as it might mean your child will not move on and won’t welcome the new helper. Do not forget to follow the guidance provided by the Labour Department on termination entitlements for domestic helpers. Discuss the clauses related to termination notice and other terms of employment contract.