'I must work extra hard as the maid is away'

Many housemaids and nannies took part in the annual exodus from Jakarta to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri. As a result, many families have had to make do without the pembantu (domestic helpers) who normally do their everyday housework. Some families, temporarily without pembantu, told The Jakarta Post about how they have coped at home.

Sarah, is a housewife who resides in Ciledug, Tangerang, with her husband, daughter and parents:

Every year, at Idul Fitri, I have to work extra hard as the pembantu return home. That's nothing new for us.

This is the second year that I've realized just how important the pembantu are to my family. They are so helpful in dealing with domestic chores.

On the other hand, though, we really appreciate that they deserve days off, particularly on this special occasion. We treat them with respect and without discrimination on a daily basis, regardless of their status as nannies or maids.

So, we are accustomed to this within our extended family. Of course, in a way, we sometimes forget that they are around most of the time. But now is a good time for us to get as close to our children as they with their nannies.

Now they're away, I feel that everyone in the household should do their bit to share the chores, including cooking, washing, ironing clothes, sweeping the floor and so on.

Wibi, 34, has a wife and two children and lives with them in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He has four pembantu at his house:

The return of my pembantu to their hometowns for Idul Fitri has made me realize just how much I miss them all. My house seems quiet without them as we are a young couple with small children who need looking after.

I don't treat them any differently to anyone else, despite the fact that they're maids in our family. We've always mixed with them and shared things together.

I really miss them all. They're not only pembantu but our sisters and friends as well. We need them and therefore we've given them equal rights.

My wife and I can handle the routine housework like washing, ironing or keeping the house clean. We really need their help with tasks like cooking as I run a small canteen in Ramayana department store.

Fortunately, I decided to shut the business for the holiday. However, I have a problem with my children, who miss their nanny. I have to take them out to take their mind off how much they miss her.

Antonius, 40, is a private company employee who lives in Pasar Kemis, Tangerang, with his wife and only son:

My wife and son returned home and will spend a week or so at their hometown, as did my housemaid.

As a matter of fact, I haven't felt annoyed at being home alone because I spend most of my days at work as I don't have any days off. I just go home at night to relax.

I have thus far been able to deal with all the housework, including cooking, washing and keeping the house clean. I prefer being alone like this as I can cope OK, even without the pembantu.

It would have been much harder if only the pembantu had returned home and I'd had to cook and to wash all the family's clothes, as my washing machine is broken.

Atik, 33, is a housewife who lives in Jl. Dewi Sartika, East Jakarta, with her husband and three children:

I have no problem coping without a pembantu during Idul Fitri, as now. I am used to dealing with domestic chores myself, despite being a civil servant. It all depends on how well you can manage your time. Besides, my pembantu has been away for four months and therefore I've had to handle everything myself.

This is rather different to other families, which are barely able to deal with all the housework.

Luckily, my husband and children are understanding so we have all chipped in doing the domestic chores while the maid has been away.

Leo Wahyudi S