Playing with the pembantu in Seminyak Bali
Having kids in Bali definitely requires shifting gears, but it is way less hassle than I have been led to believe. A friend of mine in the UK told me ‘you have to plan everything, you can never just take off, the key is having a bag of baby equipment at all times.’ Actually I don’t find it to be that way.
Shove a diaper on him and he’s good to go. Having family help and a pembantu (helper) around means extra hand when you need them. Imagining what modern parents living in a fast paced economy have to deal with isn’t pretty. I probably couldn’t handle it, so its best for all concerned that fatherhood in Bali is a low-stress affair. Dealing with the wife is another ball of wax altogether.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
As always Nick, I am truly jealous and green with envy. (it’s a good thing, as Martha Stewart puts it 
Of course its a low stress affair in Bali raising kids. I look at the cute photo of Jevon and he’s wearing three pieces of clothing, diaper, tank top and shorts. Consider western parents in colder climates have to deal with boots, socks, scarves, mitts, hats, layers of t-shirt, sweater, a jacket and perhaps a snow suit before they get out, and then strap them in a 5 point harness seat belt before you can go anywhere, can add 25 - 30 minutes before the outing.
Then once arriving at the destination, have to un-do all that, only to do it again on the way home. And as always, they have to go potty once everything is on.
And… having pembantu (sp?) is not cheap either. Most working parents can’t afford even one; even if they paid minimum wage for 40 hours a week, which of course is unlikely you’ll get help for long at that rate.
The going rate here is $9-10 bucks/hour or $360-400 a week. Yep that’s more than $24K large per year, once the government gets their cut in “contributions”. Makes the Indo government corruption a cheap and attractive alternative.
He heee heee Tuutt tutt tutt Nick. I love the comment about Ika and Bhris by the way mate the most innocent little bundle of flesh can still prove to be hard work when you live with her day to day. Is that not right Nick ? Still thats the joys of marriage people.
Rgds to all that know me and bollox to those that think i am a twat !
Mark S.
Please could anybody help me make an informed decision? as I am planning to come to bali for the month of May with my 4 month old baby. I am concerned about him getting bitten by mosquitoes…are there loads?My real worry is him getting malaria or dengue…do you know if it happens a lot? Are there good medical facilities? Do people generally come and stay with young babies? I know I sound a bit paranoid, so please all info will be appreciated. thanks.
Can’t imagine Ika’s any trouble.