To look at perhaps a more advanced topic that also does not get a lot of play when we are speaking about those of us in 24/7 service arrangements with children present; this month we are going to talk about Homes with multiple s-types and D-types.
By far and away not a common arrangement, there are indeed Houses with multiple service people present at all times. For example, my Owner’s home has 13 members of which not including Himself 3 live here full time, 1 is present at least half time and the rest are in and out as time and travel allows. Most recently, I have had the pleasure of orientating one new service member over the last week. Her position in the House is assistant to the second girl. So, in basic terms, assistant to my assistant. If this seems to be a bit much, bear in mind that the House currently has 4 children living with us full time, Owner works 40+ hours a week and I (the First girl/valet (Female butler) ) am on dialysis and dealing with a ton of medical issues that have me out of the House more than any of us like.
Of course there have been issues. Anytime you have a Home with one Master and no matter how well ordered, three s-types one of them new to the Home there is going to be administrative issues if nothing else. We have faced everything from handling of the children to dealing with punishments and chore allocation. Never-mind interpersonal issues focusing around relationships and commitments as well as insecurity and a little passive aggressiveness.
The key to dealing with all of this with any level of grace, especially since the first thing that any child needs is stability is to work with the children first. If more than one parent is in the house (For example, one of the children belongs to the newest House servant, but the other servants are not considered parental authorities) Make sure that the lines of authority are clear, who can put the children in time out, who can speak sharply to each child to give a reprimand? Those needs to be as clear as humanly possible and spoken about as a family and while the children are asleep so that everyone can concentrate. Once that is arranged, then we move onto knowing the children’s issues, triggers, special needs and allergies as well as any other medically necessary information.
Readers – Do you have more to add to this topic? Share your thoughts in the comments!
