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?

🧿🪬

Rather !

Trust the cat, they know people

“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.“

I am just posting to say i’m knackered at the end of a long work week and this really made me giggle so thank you 😁

Maybe reply with phrases from A Handmaid’s Tale, like “Under his eye”. Or make up some that sound biblical but aren’t 😁

What religion is the nanny OP?

It all sounds very educational for the children, children can grow up in all sorts of different environments and not be "influenced" by them. They can however be educated by them, on the differences in how we all live and how bonkers some foreign cultures can seem to our narrow lives.

Personally your problem would not bother me if the comments were just made in passing, but if the warring nanny and housekeeper were getting nasty about it I would have to say something, and ultimately try someone new.

I think that you should tell her that god spoke to you in a dream, told you that the cat was there to protect you and the house. God said the toys, witchy stuff, halloween stuff was fine but that you need to give more of your time and money to charity.

Says every lower-middle-class Brit who ever moved to the ME and employed an exploited domestic servant under the kafala system.

The housekeeper sounds quite extreme. Being religious is fine, but pushing it on people is not. I wouldn’t be hiring someone who tells me off for having normal childhood toys, preaching to kids, making me feel I had to hide stuff. You’re paying to walk on egg shells - madness!! She sounds like a toxic presence in the home, you need a new housekeeper.

This is just showing off lol

As usual, the cat is no help! 🤣

(I love cats)

I once didn’t hire a nanny as she told me that she thought the children of intentionally single mothers (such as myself) would be cursed for ten generations - but not to worry as she was a professional and could keep her personal beliefs seperate from her work

Your lovely cat is beautiful ❤️

How do the gardener, chauffeur and pool cleaner get on with them?

You should. This is comedy gold. You have an amazing script under your nose. Keep both and take notes. I'm sure you can come up with a really interesting ending.

Who does the cat love more?

I find it quite funny though. They both mean well in their own way .

Your house your rules

Religion here is considered a private matter so outside the home you don’t really discuss it…

Surely this is your line? They’re outside of their home unless they’re live in and even so, it’s your home.

Clean your own house? 😊

Are you the poster whose nanny is currently off work following cosmetic surgery?

Live and let live. Our old nanny was very religious and didn't like anything to do with Halloween or witchcraft. No Harry Potter for the children! Apart from this foible she was outstanding so we just accepted it. For her it was deeply important, for us not so important. Ask the cat.

My cats also have an ouija board. My living room is now haunted by tiny ghost mice.

I would be telling them to keep their thoughts and ideas to themselves and get on with the job they are paid to do. Other than that it would be the housekeeper that had to go.

"Please don't talk about /impose your religious beliefs on my children or with each other as it is clearly causing issues between both of you and I want my children to feel safe in their own home ...this includes talking to them /me in front of them /throwing away or talking about throwing away toys /talking about us not attending events due to your religious beliefs/talk about Satan etc. I want a calm atmosphere in my home amd for my children and I expect professionalism. Thank you '
Google translate it if you have to & show them on your phone .

It sort of is. Senior diplomats have salaries that allow staff in low income countries, and as they and their spouses are expected to entertain in the evenings, often in their home, they do need some help with setting up the event and the house, as well as childcare. Diplomacy is much, much cheaper than tariffs, wars, immigration problems, cyberespionage or all the other shit that hapens (or happens more) without it.

If any member of my staff tried to “tell me off” about anything to do with my kids, she would be out the door so fast her head would spin. Fuck That. Cheeky cunt thinking she has any right to tell me how to do anything.

I agree with balloonhearts. I wouldn't want my children's heads filled with worries about devils and evil. Most adults can overlook these sorts of things but children are more impressionable.