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AIBU?

to have employed a cleaner

35 replies

Catnao · 11/02/2011 22:57

who lives in my village and whose child I teach?

I have finally given in and decided it's a cleaner or an appearance on "how clean is your house".

I have cleaned quite a lot in preparation for the cleaner coming - but I'm worried she'll think I'm an unbelievable slob (this would not be inaccurate, although we TRY - or at least my partner and I do - my son - mmm), and worse - TELL THE OTHER MUMS!

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ReindeerBollocks · 11/02/2011 22:59

No - YANBU (but my mum always told me to clean before the cleaner arrives, ease her into your slovenly ways gradually ).

teenyanne · 11/02/2011 23:01

YANBU - I'm verry jealous, I keep thinking about getting a cleaner, and I just think the house is never tidy enough (surfaces for cleaning are too full of junk!!)

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:03

That's what I tthought - my partner has begun calling her "the incentive"

I don't refer to her as "the cleaner" obviously, but for the purposes of this thread - I saw another thread where people were objecting to "the nanny" - partner doesn't know her yet so is not yet on first names terms (nor will he want to be,too embarrassed, once she has seen his disgusting ways first hand

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legaleagle21 · 11/02/2011 23:04

YANBU to have a cleaner but her being the mother of a child you teach is a no no. Iwolud not trust her confidentiality. I complete stranger would have been better.

hellymelly · 11/02/2011 23:06

I'd love a cleaner,but I'd have to get my house clean first,and I can't imagine that happening while I have two small girls at home all day.

Tryharder · 11/02/2011 23:07

I wouldn't have employed the mother of a child you teach either. Your slovenly ways will be the subject of playground gossip

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:07

Oh dear legaleagle - thing is we were at one of those parties us sad village types have where someone flogs stuff, and I said - I need a cleaner - and she said, I really need a cleaning job....

She is really nice, and I don't have anything dodgy around the place (except the general filth! )

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Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:08

Oh crap. The whole playground will be washing their hands after I shake them at parents evening...what have I done??

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ChasingSquirrels · 11/02/2011 23:09

you are a person, she is a person, you teach, she cleans
what is the problem

and really - do you think the other mums are interested in the state of your house (which will be lovely with your new cleaner) or think that they will think it in any way reflects on the standard of your teaching?

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:11

Thank Christ Chasing Squirrels - I was getting worried then! Good. (Anyway, I've done shit loads of cleaning in preparation (although it's still not clean enough for my mum...)

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StataLover · 11/02/2011 23:12

While I don't think yabu, personally I'd never have a cleaner with whom i had a personal connection. I'd be way too embarrassed.

ChasingSquirrels · 11/02/2011 23:14

my dad came round a few weeks after my cleaner started and said "looks nice, you must have been hard at work". I asked my mum hadn't she told him I had a cleaner now, but she hadn't. I didn't tell him :).

I NEVER clean before mine comes (I never clean any more :)), I do tidy - cos I don't mind that and I am not paying for someone else to tidy.

I LOVE wednesdays when I come home to a sparkly house.

frgr · 11/02/2011 23:15

YANBU to want/employ a cleaner.

But I'm not sure of the professional ramifications of hiring the parent of a child you teach, since I've never been a teacher... certainly in my own job (charity sector, projects relating to vulnerable members of society, don't want to say any more) that link between hiring a family member of a customer/client of ours would raise serious questions. but then it might be totally okay for you - only you can judge that! :)

Sinkingfeeling · 11/02/2011 23:15

No problem - you do your job and she does hers. You're both professionals, I'm sure. Just don't leave your bank statements in full view ...

MummieHunnie · 11/02/2011 23:17

I think if you need a cleaner and can afford one have one

I think maybe it was a mistake to employ this lady, as I have heard the bitchy/critical things people gossip about.

Definatly lock up anything that you think could be gossiped about

Bluebell99 · 11/02/2011 23:17

Nope, wouldn't employ a cleaner whoses daughter I taught. I would love a cleaner and lots of the mums at school are cleaners, but they are a really gossipy bunch. I had one of my dd's friends home for tea, whose mum is a cleaner, and a few weeks later she told my dd's other friends in a chinese whisper that our house was really messy!. Her mum doesn't drive and I have given this child and her mother lifts, but since that comment I drive past!

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:19

hides all the drug paraphenalia, kinky sex toys, photos of my 18 year old toy boy

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KangarooCaught · 11/02/2011 23:21

Just clean the toilet bowl & hide the sex manuals, all will be fine.

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:23

Ha - Kangaroo you (half) caught me - i've just cleaned the loo and the sink for the fifth time!

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scottishmummy · 11/02/2011 23:28

cleaner no problem.mum of child you teach.no. too unboundaried and icky

change cleaners

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:36

Do you think? I won't be in when she does cleaning and have no confidential stuff around (not re school, anyway -I live near to school so keep all my work there and go in late/weekends to do it).

I was a bit nervous - do you really think it's a problem?

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scottishmummy · 11/02/2011 23:39

your call.but no i wouldnt,given you have existing professional relationship.that pre-dates the cleaning.and just id feel my privacy compromised with situation you describe

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Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:44

Mmmm. Well, it's kind of done for now, as she starts Tuesday! She has been to my house before socially, so I suppose we have a sort of friendly relationship (for book club). I guess I can always say I can't afford it, or my mum's doing it for free or something later?

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legaleagle21 · 11/02/2011 23:50

What age range do you teach?
Think I could cope with a five year mother mentioning things she had seen in my house, but a 14 year old could twist stuff into anything.

Catnao · 11/02/2011 23:56

I teach primary...I live in the village where I work, so lots of mums have been round here for drinks in evenings/ stay for a glass of wine after picking up their kids (my son is 10 and goes to my school) etc - I guess they only generally come in front room though not kitchen, my bedroom etc. She is a really nice lady as far as I can tell from limited social contact (we're not exactly friends) and parents stuff?

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