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?

🧿🪬

How very dare you.😂All cats are angelic beings.

I can’t stand satanic panic as was a victim of it myself as a teen in a very Christian conservative country. When I was only 13 I was accused of being some sort of satanist because I enjoyed wearing black clothes and listening to goth music. 😂

I believe in freedom of religion but I couldn’t tolerate living with someone who shoves their religion down my throat.

@Balkancity Your children could experience multiculturalism by living in London with all the expats around. There isn’t anything superior about your kids NOT experiencing “middle England” or a “mumsnetter’s view of the world and experiencing something else instead.

Random bits of all religions fascinate me. I'd laugh it off provided they're not radicalising your children. Giving me vibes of Miranda's lovely Catholic housekeeper in SATC. Perhaps watch that episode to see how deals with her. Firm but kind I think.

how much do you pay them, out of curiosity?

i've been told i'm very blunt and outspoken, i would say "i pay you to keep my house in order not to act as a religious adviser or life coach, please clean and tidy my house without trying to enforce your religious beliefs, this is my house and your place of work. if you want to continue to work here please stop this talk, it's up to me what i believe in and buy my children and it's up to the nanny what she wants to believe in. this is the last time that i'll tell you, i don't expect there to be a next time, if there is a next time be prepared for consequences" or words to that effect and expect her to get the message or get a new job.

🤷‍♀️ so?

Resist attempts to change how your children live, but don’t change the people. Chances are any replacements will have similarly diverse beliefs- which they are entitled to- and may not offer any benefit.

I lived in Singapore briefly and wealthy locals and most westerners there had a maid who cooked, cleaned, and also supervised the children. Many had two. The maid’s room in the apartment we stayed in was like a large cupboard, with a small high slatted window that you couldn’t climb out of. You were responsible for your maid’s behaviour and potential pregnancy, so employers were extremely strict- even attending birth control appointments. It was awful.

My DC went to a local nursery part time to give me a bit of a break. It was very different to the UK.

Well the nanny can go. Wouldn't want her looking after my children ....

I was brought up in that life and we had some pretty weird staff. It also was not always that easy to let them go if a replacement was needed - depending on the posting, staff had to be approved by the locals as well as us and it could become more trouble than it was worth. I think all you can do is double down on the no religion talk and if the children are old enough to understand that the staff are batshit, then tell them so.

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

Indeed. Hallelujah.

What do the crystals tell you?

Btw, I think the cat is a spy. Sent from God = sent from the government. They are trying to warn you.

I’d watch the movie.

Well, in reality you are all Human Servants to the Furry Overlord 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

They both sound woo woo 🤭 i could imagine this being a comedy show 🤣

Absolutely not, it would tickle me pink to hear it!

My ex dp was from the Caribbean and we often went there to visit family. One of her aunts was a fabulously evil woman who had a big reputation on the island as being Obeah (similar to voodoo). She wasn't Obeah, but my christ she enjoyed the reputation and being able to send gangs of teenagers screaming for their mums just by gazing at them and muttering.

I am Christian and do believe that any yoga, taro and other such things do open portals to the evil in your life, and from what you are saying.....

I would actually find this quite enjoyable

That black cat looks familiar to me.

i sort of understand why christian people think that about tarot since afaik it goes against their religion, but i don't get why it extends to yoga? you're the first person i've heard mention yoga in that context, i don't practice yoga and never have but i don't understand how an exercise can be thought of as opening a portal, unless you mean kundalini etc. for reference, i attend a spiritualist church and have many card decks and i'm also reiki attuned, have spiritual healing regularly, read lots of spiritual/metaphysical/angel books and have plenty of friends with similar beliefs as me but never would do anything that doesn't come from light or isn't for the highest good.

I am also Christian and don't believe any of that.
Yoga is exercise and can be meditation. Tarot is just bunkum. Like astrology.

You don't have to be a diplomat to afford a nanny, cook, housemaid, driver, gardener, security guards etc in Africa, Middle East, Asia and South America. There's no minimum wage in most of the countries and the few that recently instituted it apply it only to the civil service.
In Nigeria for example it's N70,000 last year. Most domestic staff earn half of that and many find people to house their children as long as they provide accommodation and feeding. Ofcourse the senior politicians ensure their renumeration and benefits surpass that of any Western country.

Why is everyone so bothered about having a nanny and a housekeeper
My brother in law works in Oman and they are encouraged by the employer to do so as it helps the local economy

Have you asked how much your brother in law pays his 'housekeeper'? Does she have set hours, get to keep her own passport?

😂 of course she has her own passport.