Handling Difficult Yayas

I've seen so many yayas come and go from my siblings' and cousins' children. Some of them stay long and some dont. Some of them has good values and characters and some you can curse. Some will teach your kids good deeds and some does not even know their responsibilities as yaya.


Now that I have my own kids, searching for a yaya has never been difficult for me. After 4 years of marriage, I have now two kids. My eldest is now 3 years old and my youngest is 1. I have two yayas, luckily, since me and my husband are both working and we just moved out of my inlaws house. The older yaya has been with us for almost three years now. She has been with us when my eldest daughter is just a month and a half old. At first, I had a hard time of trusting her with my firstborn. Looking at her physically, I am rattled with a cold nerve. She is in her early 40s, around 150lbs body frame with dark skin and a brusque physique. Not that I havea choice that time but giving the person a chance to prove herself is what is on my mind.


Now, we are on our third year relationship with our yaya. Our yaya being older than me and my husband has never been that big of a problem. There are times that she acts as our big sister and sometimes the tendency to act as "know it all" but still, I honor her because little by little, throughout the three years of being together she slowly open herself to us. We correct her not only the duty-bound responsibilities but as well as her life per se. Though it is hard for her somehow, she tried her best to follow. It is a little difficult for her and us at first though since the age factor is there already but someshow, we both manage to adjust with one another.


Yaya as we all call her, has been very good to our family especially the kids. She has her own flaws like her long time of phone calls to a lot of friends. And the friendliness she possess with almost every people she meet. She is really friendly to almost anyone and everyone. But she has been good with my kids.

Though the age factor gets in our way, I always make it a point that I assert authority to them especially in dealing with my kids. Respect is an important factor for any relationship. This is maybe one of the reason why our yayas stay with us. I respect them for what they are and in return they respect me. I listen to them and to their needs as an individual. As a person, I believe that they have to grow too. And I give them opportunity to explore their life.

Handling yaya is the same as having a relationship with a friend, boss, neighbor. It is a two way process. Though you have to emphasize your authority to them, you have learn to trust them and listen to them. You have to know them. Knowing your yaya is an important factor. So, get to know your yaya now.