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Babysitting/Cleaning

Posted: Sep 18, 2015

I babysit 4 children in THEIR home 20 hours a week. It is a very messy home. I'm a "neat freak". Does anyone think that the parents would mind if I started cleaning. I wouldnt reorganize, just clean.

;

I don't think I would just start cleaning. I would - wannie

[ In Reply To ..]
find out in a round-about way if they would mind, but never just start cleaning. I think that might be overstepping bounds a bit.

They would probably feel violated - xx

[ In Reply To ..]
if someone they trusted in their home suddenly started pawing through their possessions with the lame excuse of "cleaning." You may think you're just "cleaning," but they're going to see it as overstepping bounds and snooping, maybe worse. What if you "clean" and they discover something valuable has gone missing? Who do you think will be the first suspect?

Leave other people's stuff alone. If you don't like their housekeeping, find a job with someone who meets your standards.

Have some respect for boundaries.

Could add to pay - multitasker

[ In Reply To ..]
You could always ask if they want help with cleaning, that you'd be willing to do it for an extra fee. Easy since you're already there & they know you. Maybe see if they want just kitchen & bathrooms (used by the kids) done. Perhaps time to teach the kids to clean up after themselves a bit. But like other people said, don't just "do it". They might like it a maid for free, but you open yourself up to a world of hurt if something is missing or they get offended by your clear message that the house is a wreck.

My Opinion - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
Depends on what you mean. If there's clutter, you can't move the clutter without their permission. If there's no clutter, I see no harm in swiping a rag to clean a counter. There's a difference between dirty and messy. If it's just messy, you have to leave it be. If it's dirty and messy, you surely have to ask permission to move the mess to clean.

I would be very calm and just say that you would like to give the house a swipe since you know they're very busy, and you don't mind helping out. Who knows, maybe they're hoping you'll bring it up.

dirty - Lisa

[ In Reply To ..]
It is dirty. The bathroom is filthy. The sweeper is never run. Things aren't dusted, etc. I would never rearrange anything, just clean around it. For example: If I were to clean the bathroom, she would DEFINITELY notice because it is so dirty and smelly.

Maybe the pay is good but why work somewhere - that is so filty

[ In Reply To ..]
and dirty? If it is that bad, do you think the children are okay staying in a home like that? I think if I worked some place with several children and considered it that bad I probably would contact child welfare.

Yuck - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
That isn't just normal dirty--that is downright unhealthy for the kids. I'm with the Child Welfare thing. As a surprise, no warning.

Really? For all we know - xx

[ In Reply To ..]
the OP's idea of acceptable housekeeping is a class 1 clean room. Without direct evidence, all we have is the opinion of a self-described neat freak. Just because an environment isn't sterile doesn't mean it's dangerous.

This is someone who actually thinks it would be acceptable to forcibly impose her housekeeping standards on someone else. She shouldn't be encouraged to take her busybodying to a higher level.

Interesting - I had not thought of that

[ In Reply To ..]
But if she says the place is "never" cleaned, then that's pretty bad. A house (anyone's house) should be given a good cleaning at least once every week or 2. Kitchens and bathrooms once a week, for sure. If there is dust all over the place (ever hear of a dust mite?,) and the bathroom stinks, something is wrong.

We still only have her impression - xx

[ In Reply To ..]
of the state of the house. She sounds as though she might be like my sister, to whom a few grains of salt or a single drop of coffee left on a counter for a few minutes during meal preparation is "filth" and evidence that the perpetrator is a slob living in a toxic environment.

It's important to understand the personal agenda (or demons) of the complainer before judging the target.

True. I once rented a room in a house where - the landlady called the place a -sm-

[ In Reply To ..]
"shambles" if she saw one iota of dust anywhere. I remember one Saturday it was my day to clean, and I spent all day getting it spic-and-span. It positively glistened, and I was exhausted! So then Crazy Landlady comes home, looks around, and sniffs, "This place is a SHAMBLES! I thought you were going to do the cleaning today!" :(

Do you really have time to clean while watching 4 kids? If so... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I would either just start doing some cleaning under the guise of cleaning up after a mess the kids made and helping them put their toys/stuff away and see if anyone notices. This would be the approach I'd take if I thought they'd be offended. The other option is to ask if they'd like some help with cleaning because you have time while watching the kids. That brings up my original point though, I was always so busy with my 2 kids that I could only clean on the weekends when my husband was home to watch them. Maybe I had some very demanding children, but they were my first priority and cleaning went by the wayside.

I think it all depends on the parents - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Everyone is different. Some people could get offended, others might be secretly hoping you would ask.

If it was me, I would say to them something like, when the kids are taking a nap, would you like me to do some light cleaning, like the bathroom and kitchen (or whatever rooms). I would say I really like cleaning and wouldn't mind. If they got offended then I would say "that's okay, just wasn't sure if you were really busy and needed some help".

Then there are people like my sister that if you just cleaned and didn't ask she would be absolutely thrilled. Whenever I go back she loves it cos I clean her house. :-)

Actually if I were in your shoes I would clean the bathroom anyway, clean the counter and put everything back exactly the way it was. Then if they say anything just say, I'm sorry, I thought you guys were so busy, so thought I'd help you out. If you prefer me not to that's okay, I won't do it again.

I mean really, what are they going to say? I don't like you cleaning my toilets cos I like living like a pig? LOL. The first thing I think of when there is a dirty toilet is it needs to be clean because what if someone has to throw up, they'll be sticking their head in a dirty toilet. Ewwww!.

Seriously, if I was in your position I would just clean the bathroom. Just start with that. Then if they say anything have a big smile on your face and say oh I hope you like it, I love to clean.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

to the OP...Please let us know how this turns out! - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'd love to know what you decided to do and how it went.

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