My Own Nanny in Singapore

This is one of my biggest challenge this year, after obtaining Pass for my kiddo's then who looks after them when we are out digging the ground. We see several options, Child Care is a no because of high fee for infant care and sorry I am not comfortable with the idea. Flying relatives over every two months is also a no. Getting a local Nanny, one possible option. Finally, we decide why not bring our very own Nanny to stay here with us then, brilliant right, but how to get a work pass for her, and so the challenge begun....

My son was used to nanny since I had been working even then, so having a nanny is not new to us, but as much as possible we make sure we know them personally (you know the kidnapping thing) if possible relatives.

 Nanny/House Helper/Maid falls on the Work Pass (Foreign Domestic Worker) and Singapore government was strict when issuing this pass both for employee and employer as to protect both parties most specially the Maid since they are vulnerable to abuse. You can read the full facts regarding applying for FDW here at the MOM website http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-permit-fdw/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx

I personally do all the paper works and it save me up some hundred dollars compare on going through employment agency, and to share how I obtain Work Pass for my Nanny here is my step by step guide....
(August 2013)

New Application (never been employed in SG, Female, 23~50 year old, from approve country, with minimum 8 years formal education)

1.  SINGPASS - this is necessary to access websites for Work Pass Application as well as CPF website for levy.


2. EMPLOYERS ORIENTATION PROGRAM (EOP) - (S$40) - I took Online, the course can be finished in 3 hours, but you have the option to cut session according to your available time. Upon completion print your certificate since it will only be available online for 2 weeks after completing the course.


3. WORK PASS APPLICATION - you need your maids details specially passport and if she is married you need her husbands details. You also need to indicate your maids salary. Also, remember points to consider.


• Your Maid a Female
• Your Maid is not in Singapore
• Your Maid age is between 23~50 at the time of application
• Your Maid is note related to you or your husband (better check middle and maiden surnames)
4. Upon Approval buy 5K bond and health insurance, I bought mine in NTUC (S$307+)


5. Wait for the bond and health insurance to be transmitted to MOM for 2 to 7 days, you will know if reached MOM once you check WP Online there are already details of bond at health insurance. After that you can print out the IPA.


6. Schedule for her SIP - better have her scheduled the next day after arrival since it was strictly quoted that FWD need it "within the first three working days of their arrival in Singapore (excluding the day of arrival)" (S$75)


7. Schedule for her Medical Exam - I scheduled this one the next day after her SIP , it will take 4 to 5 days for the result.(S$50~S$60)


8. Apply GIRO arrangement for monthly Levy.


9. Email/mail the copy of IPA, Bond/Insurance and Health insurance to your maid.


10. Fly her to SG (choose your options if she will go out PH as OFW or tourist). NOTE: She need to show sa SG Immigration Officer a copy of IPA, Bond and Health insurance and will only be given 14 days visit pass.


11. Have her attend the SIP and do the Med exam.


12. When you had the result of Med Exam have her scheduled for MOM appearance for card application.


13. Wait for the card delivery.

She was given a 2 year pass validity under my employment (my name & address was stated on her work pass card) and just need to do the routine med examination every 6 months.

It is very important to note that having a maid here in SG is a way different from having a maid in PH, here she can only work for you and your family members for domestics works only, she cannot work in your store/business (in case you have one here) even sweep the office/store floor your violating the rules.

You have to give your maid a decent accommodation, toiletries, enough rest and food. Having a helper here will surely chunk a portion of your $$$ so be ready for it, but at least you have your very own nanny, but sometimes it's frustrating that my kids seem to think she was their mummy! sigh! but that is another story.

Leap Of Faith

My 2012 and 2013 can be sum up to these words ASPIRE, PURSUE, DREAM, ON, WORK HARD, PRAY HARDER and PURE BLESSING. I feel so blessed to have granted all the blessings that I ask for and so I thank the people behind these blessings and most of all Bossing, it was always true that God won't give you things you can't handle.

Learning that I am pregnant leads me to choose to go home and just be a mother, but I was not given the permission too, my boss didn't accept my resignation twice and I thank him for that.

Leaving my children to work abroad again is the hardest thing, and I am thankful I surpassed that day at the Airport.

Taking chances is one thing I am afraid off, good thing I love my children more than anything else and I can say I have done everything just to have them beside me.

And as they say the rest is a history, they have been here with us for three months now and we are still adjusting. It will not be easy, but I know we can get through it day by day. People do ask if until when are we planning to stay here, sorry folks I don't know the answer as well.

Vaccine Schedule

Got a text message from my Mom few days ago and it shocks me, our pediatrician just reminded her that we are missing Levi's vaccine schedule for months now, oh forgetful me!  We are months delayed for his Hepa A and Flu vaccine.

So for other mom's out there who got babies and toddlers better print these schedule and post it in you walls

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0 Through 6 Years

Thanks for our mindful Doktora, but for those who gone far out of remembering better head here at Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 4 Months Through 18 Years Who Start Late or Who Are More Than 1 Month Behind and here as well Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years

The Pains of Being a "away-from-home" Mommy

He is my son during our Skype video calls, he wants us to "karga" (Filipino term for carry a baby) him over our place. He was confused and got really angry after realizing that he can't actually be with us physically, my mom told us that he cried to sleep after it, same with me too, I sob to my comfort, releasing all the sadness and homesickness I had inside.

He is only two years and three months old and starting to wonder, asking a lot, comprehending on all things that's new to him. At his age, curiosity is all he got and I feel so helpless not to be there for him though I know my mom is there to stand-in for me, I still feel responsible on nourishing his mind and emotions. Wish I could be there for him.

Learning to say...

I had been anticipating to hear him say that, calling me "Mommy" and he does, a month before his first birthday. He was just starting to mumble words then, but I am so sure he utter that word during our playtime, mimicking his Didi (after I got pregnant my husband started calling me mommy).

This afternoon I called my mom, a routine I got used to, to check on them, she told me that he had gotten so attached to her already, he cries every time my mom was out of sight and that she now knows him as Mommy and me.... He would just point onto my picture if asked "San si Mommy Kayth?" (Where is Mommy Kayth?). I am not his Mommy anymore, but just Mommy Kayth. I am not so sure if what I felt, disappointment? A little maybe, hurt? Somehow, but one thing is clear that I missed him so much and I ached badly to be a mom to him again.

Maybe this is one of the prices I need to pay for being away from him, I know this is just the start, the first one and a lot more heart pinching thing to come. I heard stories of other OFW moms where their children won't come to them the first time of seeing them again, it was heart-breaking moment.