Advice on hiring newbie neice to be #2

Any advice on hiring the neice of our current helper, whom we really adore? Our current helper is older (which we love), she is amazing with our children, works very hard and she adds a great deal of love to our home. She knows how to keep her distance, and let's me be their mother, and she never interferes with mine or my husband's alone times with the children. I say this because in considering hiring her neice who is in her 20's, I am fearful this dynamic may change. She has no foreign experience, and she is young. However, she sounded very capable, appreciative and hopeful of an employment opportunity here. I also liked her photo as well. I am considering hiring her because I worry that with 2 very young children, husband who travels for work and no family on this side of the world, it may be a good insurance policy in the event something happens to our current helper -- God forbid.


Any thoughts? Thank you.

I think it could work well if the niece has respect for her aunt. That way she would be under the tutelage of her older relative. If that respect is not there then don't even consider it because you'll be bringing someone else's family problems into your home. However, should the unthinkable happen to your existing helper you might find that the niece by herself is not the long-term answer. However, be positive and not think about the unthinkable. Just another thought, though, is that if the neice has no foreign experience you/she should probably expect some hassles with the new procedures (I've just realised that I'm assuming the helpers are from PH - if not then it wouldn't be such an issue) affecting certification and the mininum age (25). Good luck.