Numbers And The Nanny

About two months ago, I blogged about our domestic helper from the Philippines. She was the Super Nanny we had hoped for when we were "maid hunting" just before our son was born. She was not perfect but we felt she was alright in comparison to the horror stories we've heard.

It turns out that she is even more "super" than I had given her credit for. Through my wife, I found out that she frequently gets dreams about numbers (not the TV show) back when she was in the Philippines and when she betted on them through their local lottery, she'd win. I guess her winnings weren't sufficient - for her to be here working as a domestic helper.

Anyway, it appears that she is getting these nocturnal numeric visions again. This morning, as a result of my insomnia for over a month, I was at my computer and my wife came in to enquire about playing the lottery in Singapore. I shared what little I knew about it but thought it was odd for my wife to be enquiring about gambling. It was only after probing that I found out my son's care-giver wanted my wife to place a bet on some numbers she dreamt of.

I was annoyed and I shared my displeasure with (more like unloaded on) my wife when she called me this evening to ask if she could still make it for today's lottery draw. The lack of sleep didn't help, of course. What really angered me was just a couple of weeks ago, our domestic helper had asked for the coming month's salary in advance because her family was in "dire need". Now, she is gambling with it? It is a small bet no doubt but wouldn't every dollar go a long way when you're in "dire need", especially considering the currency conversion?

If lady-luck is shining upon her, she'd take her winnings and go back to the Philippines and live like a queen, leaving my wife, my son and I in the lurch. From this, I know that in spite of our care and concern for her well-being, she's the least bothered about us or my son, who appears to be relatively attached to her. Her apparent heartfelt promises of wanting to fulfill her 2-year contract faithfully when we interviewed her will be tossed aside without a care, like the diapers she helps change daily. After all, she will then be much richer than her employer!

I told my wife "Its like she asked you to go buy a gun for her. You buy it, bring it home to her and she shoots you with it."

How would she feel if we struck the jackpot and told her we no longer needed her services now that we can afford to send our son to a top-notch exclusive day-care centre - especially at a time when her family was severe financial need?

In the end, no matter how much she claims she adores our little boy or how much she says she loves playing and laughing with him, it is just a means to an end - a job. There really isn't any genuine affection for the little fella.

Maybe I'm just too naive but I expected more from someone who was caring for our son.