The definition of an ayi is an aunt or housemaid. Not sure how I’d feel being called a housemaid if my niece and nephews had to call me ayi Joy. Anyway, that’s beside the point.
I was browsing shanghaimamas (totally recommend this website for anyone moving to Shanghai) regarding recommendations for ayis. One was highly recommended so she came to our place for an interview. Seemed like a really sweet lady. She brought over 3 recommendation letters and pictures of the kids she babysat for. My husband was hesitant because letters and pictures can be forged. So I emailed one of the references. That still wasn’t enough for him so I face timed her. Everything checked out and I found out that her previous employer flies her to Hong Kong occasionally to spend time with their family! Finally!! We were both on board. We interviewed her on Tuesday and she started working on Monday. Just to clarify, we hired a housemaid and not an aunt. Ok – I know – dumb joke.
We hired her for 40 hours a week. A lot of my friends here only have their ayi for 3 hours per day, 3 days a week. My boys are in school from 8 am – 3:30 pm and we hired her from 11 am – 7 pm. So what is she going to do all day? My exact thoughts as well. I have no freaking clue, but my husband wanted her 40 hours per week. We are still living out of our many suitcases and three rooms are completely empty. I like to grocery shop and cook so her cooking wasn’t really on the agenda. Her tasks are really just to iron (because I absolutely HATE ironing and the dry cleaning sucks here), do laundry, clean and take care of the boys when needed.
I’ll tell you what – her being here 40 hours per week is pure awesomeness. I truly suck at managing people, but guess what, I really don’t have to tell her what to do! She does it all by herself. I don’t care if she slacks for 2 hours and works for 6. I’ve heard and read HORROR stories of their ayi. About how they are not clean, they are extremely slow and how you have to tell them how to do everything. I am pretty OCD about my kitchen and laundry so that’s really the only thing I’ve had to tell her so far. Every day I come home from doing fun things and come home to a spotless house. Be jealous! I totally would be.
Here is why I love our ayi …
1. She organized our closets on her own.
2. She buys things when I need her to. For example, she bought me bread when I forgot to get it. She had to walk to the store in the rain since we already sent our driver home.
3. She brings the kids to the bathroom when we are out and about.
4. She teaches us Chinese.
5. She speaks a little English – hey – it’s better than none!
6. She brings the kids to the playground downstairs when I cook dinner.
7. She irons fairly well.
8. I’ve been able to spend a lot of quality time with my boys and not have to worry about cleaning up.
9. Our boys love her.
10. She likes my cooking.
And these are the reasons why you should get a cool ayi like mine, but NOT exactly mine.