Helpless without help?

After three weeks of being almost completely ‘help’less, my home finally returned to normal this week.

My regular cook returned the middle of the week but there was no sign of the resident home help. I was happy that the cook was back. But I was disappointed that the resident home help didn’t return when she said she would.

Why are we so dependent on home help?

Isn’t it shameful that all over the world people manage without any help at all? And if there is anyone to do some household chores it is on a weekly or monthly basis only.

Speaking for myself, I am not ashamed to admit that I need help. This is because I live in a 4 generational household with different needs. Luckily there is no medical condition that needs attending. However, I need to be around to answer doorbells and phone calls. I also am a resident watchdog because of the gruesome attacks on senior citizens  left alone at home.

But that apart, my regular routine is quite complicated. Right from 6 am till 9 pm, I need to do numerous kitchen tasks to be done. There are breakfasts to make, lunches to pack, medicines to hand out and generally get the household moving.

Once they are up and out of my way, I have to tackle the laundry, do the dusting, make the beds and tidy up the house. Then I have to keep track of replenishments and order them in. Then open the door to delivery men and attend to any other jobs that can only be done by the SAHM.

If truth be told, I was actually happy doing all the work myself. After all, housework isn’t rocket science. It is mechanical and routine. It isn’t even too strenuous if you organise your household properly. Most of us have some level of automation with refrigerators, cooking gas, washing machines and electrical appliances to make working easier.

Working on my own I found many things that were superfluous in my home. I re-discovered many things at the back of the cupboard. I also found rearranging things strangely calming and peaceful.

Hey! I was actually happy. Surprisingly, my house was cleaner and my mood better.

[bctt tweet=”Despite being Helpless, I was happy” username=”viaunishta”]

Why I really need help

 

My only grouse about being ‘help’less was the restriction on doing errands. I could only get out of the house when there was someone home to watch over my mom in law and my grandchildren. Being forced to do things from home can get stifling . Especially when it is wet and miserable outside.

I now understand what Farrokh Abdullah and the  Kashmiri leaders must be feeling.

Working doesn’t exhaust you as much as the thought of staying at home to answer doorbells and phone calls.

So as Monday comes to an end, I am happy that my household is back to normal.

But on the other hand, did I really need help?

Do you have home help? Do you feel helpless when you are ‘help’less?

Sharing these thoughts on #MondayMusings hosted by Corinne at The Frangipani Creative.

Ciao

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p.s. Anna Shetty has a theory that when home help from the Konkan region go on leave for Ganpati, they almost always disappear forever. Of course, they do not languish in their village but use this break as an opportunity to break free from their present employer to find another. So till your help really returns to you, there is no guarantee that after Ganpati your life will return to normal.