Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Emma]

I've lived and worked in Korea twice before, and I want to return, but there's a new twist: I have a toddler, and I couldn't leave him behind. His Dad's in the army and couldn't come with me if I took a job. So, are there any other single parents out there who are or have lived and worked in South Korea? Am I insane to even consider it? How much help do you think a hogwon would give me, as far as helping me find childcare, or even just letting me bring him to class with me (if I worked in a kindy hogwon, for example)? I'm grateful for any thoughts and advise on this, but I will be most grateful to hear from someone who actually has experience, if any are out there. Thanks so much!

[LK]

I am in Korea right now with my daughter, but she is 9. Since you have a toddler, I would think the problems and questions you might have are slightly different from my experience. Still I'd be glad to help if I can, so PM me for specific questions.

[Corporal]

Well, leaving out all the other considerations, daycare is super cheap compared to the West. They don't have the same standards though, so you would have to find a place you are really comfortable with and you're sure will follow your instructions (i.e not feed your child rice and kimchi for meals if that's not what you want.) If you want, PM me and I will give you more specific information as far as costs, etc.

[osangrl]

My friend got a flilipina babsitter/housekeeper for 7 hours a day...and only 700,000 a month. Very reasonable, and actually very easy to find.

[phaedrus]

[osangrl]

700....? pricey? no way not when you have a father of the baby that can support payments too... taking the average 2.5 salary and aa 5-6 hour gig that a woman gets here. Not a bad deal at all.

[phaedrus]

[osangrl]

i mean 5 hours a day....100 hours a month......thats what most of the women i know make here.

[phaedrus]

[osangrl]

like me, we teach at a hagwon. No different from anyone else.

But tall blondes, can negotiate better salaries in this backward society.

[Emma]

Well, I'm a short, chubby blonde but I have "the look," so I won't have any trouble finding work. But I've never earned 2.5, or seen it offered very often in job postings. Is that a salary one finds, or one negotiates? What city do you work in? Is it affluent?

Do you think your friend would pay less if her babysitter/housekeeper was only a babysitter?

[osangrl]

its a salary one negotiates.
I have experience.
I work in Osan.
I don't know what affluent means.
No , i think the price is pretty standard.....do you want a babysitter, and then come home to a dirty messy dump at the end of your wretched day? I think not.

[OiGirl]

So is the general consensus that it is best to have a Filipina nanny rather than an ajuma? What is the going rate for Korean home daycare providers? I would rather my kid learn Korean than Tagalog, and I'd rather teach them "my" English.

[osangrl]

good point. Actually i was talking to some of my students today, and they said many stay at home mom's here will babysit the child.... and for very cheap...like im talking 400 a month, depending on your schedule.

[Emma]

That was actually what I was hoping I could find, a mom to take my son while I work, especially if I could find someone who has kids the same age as mine. I'm glad to hear that sounds like a possible choice.