As most of you know, my daughter has autism. She is functional but non-verbal. That said, she can do things for herself but she can’t tell anyone, including me, whatever is on her mind. She is not mute but she can’t verbalize or put into words her thoughts, feelings, or actions.
Even with the Yaya around, I still bring my daughter to school and fetch her. Until after almost a year that the Yaya was with us when I decided I can trust her to do that job without me anymore.
For the first time, the Yaya and my daughter went to school alone. Hours passed when I realized the time and that they are not home yet when they are supposed to. My moms instinct was ringing aloud. I started worrying so I decided to call her. Thank God, I know her cell phone number! I asked where they are if they got stuck in traffic or any spontaneous school activity happened I did not know about that made them late. Yaya answered, said she and my daughter was now at their house!
Shocked as I was, crazy thoughts ran into my head. What the heck is she thinking? Why did she bring my daughter to her house? Why did she think she can even do that? What are you doing with my daughter?
Even if I was worried like hell I did not let the Yaya hear the angst over the phone. Instead I nicely asked her to come home and have snacks since it is way past lunchtime. She replied: “Ma’am we already ate and Tasha is playing piano here. She’s OK. Would you like to come here instead so we can talk?”
TALK? What does she mean with talk? I got really scared. Afraid as I was I did not let her hear my anxiety I patiently told her: “Tasha is very picky with food and the people around her I would really like for the both of you to come home now, please.”
She answered back: “Ma’am there’s something I want to tell you that I can’t tell you at your house because your mother is very intrusive. Can you come here at my house instead So we can talk?”
Intrusive? “Edel, if you want to tell me something you can go to my room and we can talk. Nobody will hear it, ” I said in a calm voice. “Please come home now. OK? Take care.” She said OK.
It took them more than an hour to get back and I was very much relieved that my daughter is home. I immediately asked the Yaya to go in my room so we can talk, just like what she wanted. But instead of letting her say her piece I let out a very loud cry of relief and handed her last pay right away and told her not to come back.
I was very traumatized. I felt I can no longer trust her with my daughter ever again. It was the first time I entrusted her the responsibility to bring and fetch my daughter from school and she broke that trust. I know she is a very good Yaya and that I invested money for her seminars already. But she broke my trust when it comes to bringing her to school and taking her back home right after. A very basic duty a Yaya must fulfil and she did not do it.
My daughter is non-verbal. I understand she is good to my daughter. She is capable to teach my child things she learned from the seminar. However, I don’t know the people in their house and how they will treat her. It is very likely I find out untoward incidents that could happen when she is alone with them. My daughter can’t tell me that because she can’t talk. More than anything else, my daughter’s safety always comes first.
a. Writers of the 5 selected stories for publication in magazine will each receive Php 5,000 cash and Php 5,000 gift certificates for Wilkins products.
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Some talking points suggested by sponsors but story and opinions written are mine.
11 Comments
Kinabahan ako bigla. It’s our first time to hire a yaya na hindi namin kamag-anak. wala pa syang one month sa amin at saka sa amin pa rin sa nag-stay ang sister in law ko. nasa iisang compound lang namin kmi ng mga inlaws ko. pero alerto pa rin ako dahil nga sa mga naririnig kong bad experiences sa mga yaya at maids.
Super scary! I fired her immediately!
Waaah how scary! It’s really hard to find a trustworthy yaya. It’s a good thing your daughter was safe.
OMG! That’s scary! Buti nalang walang sobrang sama pa jan nangyari. Hirap talaga maghanap ng mapagkakatiwalaan laluna sa mga bata. Pag ibang tao talaga walang habag minsan eh. Di mo maintindihan kung anong nasa isip nila if they were in our shoes diba?
I feel for you sis. It’s really hard to find a good Yaya these days. Dapat kasi Trustworthy at may malasakit sa mga bata. I had a monster Yaya before. Me and hubby are both working and I leave my kids to my Yaya and maid. Yung Yaya laging nasa TV and CP while the maid do all the work. Pinaka grabe siguro when the Yaya left my baby alone sa bed at nahulog sya. My 4 yo daughter saw it and she threatened her na iiwanan sila kung magsusumbong and she locked her sa cr.buti nalang nandyan ang maid at kinuha nya ang dalawang kids at binantayan nya. Akala siguro ni Yaya na porke mahirap mag hanap ng Yaya di sya maalis. Di nya alam nag sumbong ang maid and we went home agad, dinala namin agad is babay sa hospital to check kung ok sya then finals namin is Yaya sa barangay para ipa blotter for child abuse maraming beses na daw ginagawa ni yaya yung pamamalo at pagkukulong) at pinalayas na namin. Until now wala pang kapalit is yaya pero ok nalang yun kaysa may mangyari pang iba.