It’s not easy to say goodbye in the best of circumstances, and saying goodbye now to those who have given us good service over the years is even harder. How do we cut the cord with the ones we have shared so much? Must you lose the babysitter who watched your child’s first step, the hairdresser who completed your bridal French twist, or the manicurist who has whipped your hands into shape every winter?
Sometimes, reality hurts. But here are some tips for maintaining personal relationships in tough economic times:
Referrals: Update your Facebook or Twitter status, put a sign up at your church or synagogue, talk with the moms at your child’s soccer games. Get the word out to any potential customer who might be able to fill the financial void you’ve left. Referring reliable clients to your friends will support personal-care employees until you are able to renew their services.
Compromise: Have the housekeeper come once a month instead of twice or more and take care of the surface jobs yourself. Keep your hair a little longer, thereby reducing the trips to the hairdresser to just the crucial ones for color and highlights. Visit the manicurist once a month, but do your own nails in between.
Donate: If you have old clothes, perfume, toys, books, or even furniture that you plan to get rid of, why not pass them along? I have been donating old toys, books, and friends’ baby clothes, for example, to our housekeeper’s small children even though we don’t use her services at the moment. Because I donate so frequently, I am able to talk to her as much as I did in the past, and she’s still a big part of my life.
Phone calls/e-mail: A friend of mine called her hair stylist for advice on styling her daughter’s hair for prom. The stylist appreciated being asked for advice, and my friend was able to do it herself. She even e-mailed the pictures after the event.
And one last tip: Be yourself! A heartfelt conversation with any personal-care employee doesn’t have to be a painful experience. It’s not just the money that missing, but the relationship, so keep in touch. A true friend will be there when you are ready to come back.
If you are still having trouble finding ways to explain your situation, visit Cafemom. The advice here could apply to a lot of situations.
