Request for 2nd helper rejected - appeal process

[yummytums123]

Hi, just want to check if anyone else had a similar experience in appealing for a second helper -

we're a family of 3 - SAH mom, FT working dad, 13 mth old toddler, with a helper. Our baby still needs frequent nightly feeds and it has been taking a toll on us.

Our helper takes care of the baby and household chores like cooking, cleaning, laundry from 7am to 11pm, with a 1 hr post-lunch break in the afternoon. Mom & dad then take over from 11pm to 7am, which includes 3 rounds of feeds, and the baby sometimes refuses to sleep or takes longer than usual to get back to sleep.

The baby is also very active during daytime and requires constant monitoring during her playtimes as she goes around pulling and biting on things.

We're looking for a 2nd helper to balance the workload over the next year (so that we can get someone to take turns with us for the nightly feeds, as well as to balance the daytime chores with the current helper), to tide us through till our toddler stabilises. A 2nd helper will also cover us during our helper's off-days and her upcoming bi-yearly 1-month trip back home.

We applied for a 2nd helper through an agency and got rejected due to this reason:

Unfortunately, the employer does not qualify for a second helper. To employ a second helper, they need to have two children below the age of 18 or a parent over 60 living with them at the same residential address.

Has anyone had experience appealing in a similar scenario?

[smoulder]

My daughter was around that age during covid and I was working from home. My wife couldn't take the disruptions to her sleep so I took over.

I'd just pop some melatonin pills before sleeping. Formula would be kept measured and ready before I went to bed. Warm water in a thermos flask. So minimum effort when my daughter would wake me up. Everything was in the room. After finishing up the feed, I'd just get back into bed - the melatonin ensured that I'd just have to close my eyes and get back to sleep.

I can't say it had no impact on my sleep. But I was certainly able to minimise it. No helper at all.

[malcontent]

Sounds like you need to prioritize your helper’s duties around your baby and compromise on her other tasks… clean fewer times per week, tapau food more often, or find the time yourself. One child should not require more than one maid (many people do it with zero).

[bro75]

I am not sure how to appeal this. How large is the house or apartment you are staying in?

Maybe you can hire a cleaning service to lighten everyone's load.

[abbby]

My friend appealed but also declined, they require you to have either 2 children or elderly parent living with you (address must be registered in your address). You can also help in some of the chores so to avoid the helper getting a burnout. I'll also recommend a vacuum robot to help in the sweeping / mopping so that will take away one daily task. I wish they had that during my time.