My housekeeper is vey religious and it’s causing issues

[Claradiplomatique]

We live overseas btw for anyone wondering.

So I have a lovely housekeeper who is very…religious.

She tells me off when she sees the children’s toys with horns (dragons, dinosaurs, Yoga Goat) or if she sees any children’s books about magic or witches. My own tarot cards and crystals are tucked into a drawer.

There is somewhat of a language barrier as I think we are having a normal conversation and she says “Jesus is coming soon” out of the blue.

There is also an ongoing battle between the nanny (different religion) and the housekeeper as nanny believes in evil eye etc and has given charms to me and the housekeeper says they are “satan’s work.” Nanny took the children to a Halloween craft workshop and came back with witchy dolls and a pumpkin which housekeeper said we should burn.

They do however both agree that our rescue street cat is sent from God to protect us.

AIBU? Do I double down on the no religion talk or let her go?

🧿🪬

What does the cat think?

I think the nanny is more your problem actually.

Sounds like a Mitford/Cooper mashup novel but set in Keeeeenya about 100 years ago. I’d read it.

I’d just consider it background music to my life and enjoy it for the bizarre wonder it is.

The cat loves them both.

Double down, but accept that it may mean they have to move on as your environment won’t suit them.

In what way? 👀

Yes. Are you writing a book, OP?

Return to Blighty and hire some gels from The Lady.

This sounds delightfully entertaining assuming it's not affecting the children and they aren't actually destroying anything.

I am a writer but no, not writing a book on religious household staff!

I think it's keeping them both engaged in their beliefs which is no bad thing. I'm with the housekeeper though 😄

They’re both deranged.

Get popcorn 🍿

This is the funniest thing I've read in some time.

Presumably you have a voice and when the housekeeper starts preaching what your children can and can't have as a toy, why you haven't just smiled and politely but firmly replied, "you don't need to worry about that" is beyond me.

If this is one of your bigger problems, do you have very little to do with your day?

What do the footman and the butler think?

Can't comment without a picture of the cat.

If they are both getting on with their jobs, it wouldnt bother me. Just practice your eye rolls 🙄

I'd tell the pair of them that I don't want them filling the children's heads with tales of Satan and to keep their religious beliefs to themselves. If they can't, I'd let them both go. I wouldn't want anyone filling my children's heads with religious nonsense about Jesus and Satan and evil.

My first thought - great material for a book. 😂

Just accept them for all their quirks, as long as they aren’t biting your books?

Obviously we don’t have a footman and butler (but I know someone on a Bangladesh posting who has a butler and a cook) but the driver is married to the housekeeper and he thinks they are both crazy,

Are you the diplomat, or is it your spouse?Surely one of you has professional training in how to deal with this stuff?

It is a great source of stories so you should keep them on and write it down.

Then there is your answer must not upset the cat.