When my brother and I were growing up in the States, we never had these people around. We did have a babysitter, who was our close family friend, but she didn't live with us. Our parents drove us to school and practices or we would carpool with friends nearby. My dad did the laundry and my mom typically did the house cleaning. When we moved to our house, my dad did the yard work and my mom tended to the garden(s). When my brother and I were old enough, we were taught and learned how to do things for ourselves. I mow the lawn and edge the grass, shovel the snow, do my own laundry, sometimes take out the trash, get the empty trash can from the curb and bring it back to the side of the garage, occasionally wash dishes, clean my room (or attempt to organize it).
My mom works full-time and my dad works full-time and also has a part-time job. My parents were able to make ends meet to send us to private, Catholic schools from kindergarten to high school. We aren't what society would call "rich," but we're not "poor" either. We are a middle-class family. My parents are the prime examples in my life that taught me what hard work, sacrifice, love, and family mean...and I don't think I can ever thank them enough for everything they have done and continue to do. My dad watched cartoons with us on the weekends. My mom told us bedtime stories. They attended my softball and basketball games, tennis matches, dance recitals, science fairs, parent-teacher conferences, etc. They listened to me when I was stressing out over college and when I was homesick in a different country. Daddio and Mom: Thank you and I love you.
When I was 16, I learned how to drive and got my driver's license. I'm able to drive myself to wherever I need or want to go. The only first world problem is when all four of us are home and my car is trapped in the driveway and we have to play tetris with the vehicles.
I am an independent 20-something who has help available if I need it. I told my parents that I didn't want them to worry about paying for my college education and that I would take care of it. I was fortunate to have some scholarships and my co-op job throughout college, and wanted to pay for college because they had already sacrificed so much for my previous years of education.
Living over here with family in the Philippines that have these helpers is definitely taking some adjustment on my part. People do my laundry for me. I get driven around to places. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always waiting for me on the table. I'm so used to doing things for myself--being that independent woman. Even if I had enough money to have these helpers in the States, would I? Having a cook, I could probably get used to pretty quick. Having someone do my laundry, probably. But having a driver? I wouldn't want one--I like driving too much!
Anyway, here's some old school Destiny's Child for ya:
Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR
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