After 12 years of having Maria, my part-time helper, take care of our home, life feels different now that she’s no longer coming by. Maria, who’s now pregnant with her second baby, has had to stop work due to health concerns. Last year she had a molar pregnancy and had to perform a D&C. She borrowed money from me for the procedure and was traumatized by the incident for a long time. Her eldest child, a boy, is already 4 years old and living in Indonesia with her MIL.
Rather than looking for a replacement, I decided to manage the household chores myself. While it’s an adjustment, I’ve found ways to make it work and even uncovered a few new strategies for keeping my sensitive hands safe.
My hands are quite sensitive, so a big priority for me has been to find gentle cleaning solutions. I’ve switched to mild dishwashing liquids, which tend to be a bit pricier but are much easier on my skin. When it comes to cleaning, disposable nitrile gloves have been a true lifesaver.
Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic rubber that resists punctures and harsh cleaning chemicals. They’re thin yet durable, keep my hands dry, and handle just about every task without tearing. Although water sometimes seeps in from the top, I’m planning to invest in some elbow-length gloves to minimize that as much as possible.
Aside from dishwashing, these gloves have proven essential for heavier tasks like scrubbing bathrooms or wiping down greasy surfaces in the kitchen. I tried disposable plastic gloves, but they were no match; they tore easily and let water in. Nitrile gloves have made my transition to self-sufficient cleaning so much easier.
As for the rest of the household routine, I’ve had to make some adjustments. Cooking every day isn’t feasible anymore, so I’m opting for simple meals or leftovers on some days to save time. We ‘tapau’ food from shops for lunch almost every day and dinner is either homecooked or we just skip dinner altogether if lunch is heavy. Similarly, I’m learning to be more relaxed about the little messes—like dust on the fans and windows or a bit of grease on the kitchen walls—that aren’t urgent. Keeping up with everything perfectly is less important than finding balance and keeping things manageable.
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