To think about getting a cleaner?

[manicinsomniac]

I am a single parent of two children under 10 and I work anything from 60 to 85 hours a week. I don't have any formal or regular help with childcare

Until recently we lived in a tiny little cottage that a) didn't have much space to clean anyway and b) was so old and rickety that it was never really going to look clean whatever you did.

In August we moved to a newish 3 bed property which I am incredibly pleased and grateful for BUT it's so much harder to keep on top of. I keep the house tidy but it could without a doubt be cleaner (hoovering is something that happens when we;re having visitors for example!)

Having a cleaner just once a week would make such a difference but we certainly don't have loads of money. We have everything we need and I could afford the cleaner but it would be a bit of a stretch.

And more importantly I'd feel really icky and lazy that I was letting someone else clean up our mess.

So, given that I am able bodied and not rich WIBU to get a cleaner? (I kind of already know I would ...)

[WorraLiberty]

< Head - Desk >
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If you want one, get one.

But for the love of sweet baby cheeses why is there a thread asking this question almost every single week?

[mrskeithrichards]

I only read the first paragraph. Yanbu .

[MorrisZapp]

Yabu.

'dear internet, there's no milk in my fridge. AIBU to go out and buy some more?'

Get. A. Grip.

[mrskeithrichards]

Oh don't be to harsh! I've asked the question before, it's not an everyday thing to some people. I know more cleaners than I do people with cleaners so it's a bit of an alien concept to me and I did have to toss the idea about a bit before it sat right.

[elportodelgato]

if you can afford it DO IT, you will never ever regret it. Money exceptionally well spent I think partic if working fulltime and with small children

[manicinsomniac]

Gosh, sorry. I didn't realise it was like that. I haven't seen many.

I do 'have a grip' generally. Just having a bad week I guess.

[cozietoesie]

It's nothing to feel 'icky and lazy' about. Cleaning is an honourable job not indentured servitude. You work and get paid. Your cleaner will work and get paid. If you can afford it and need it, just go for it.

[fromparistoberlin]

can you afford it?

Yes = get one
no = dont get one

HTH! xx


mine hasd bloody pulled a sickie today (caring emoticom), so thats my weekend buggered

[Flimflammery]

Is a caring emoticon the same as a head-tilt emoticon?

P.S. Get the cleaner, you're a working single parent, what on earth would you feel guilty for?

[MorrisZapp]

Sorry op.

Ok, proper advice. Yes, get a cleaner. They need and want the work just as you need and want to work. Think on this:

I know two couples my age who had a cleaner... before they had kids!

I love my cleaner more than I love oven chips, Toy Story, and new dresses.

[manicinsomniac]

haha, thanks MorrisZapp

and thanks everyone else for the reassurance. I thought the general opinion would be that it was a waste of money and I should stop moaning and get cleaning.

I feel less bad for thinking about now. Maybe I'll even do it!

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Go for it, and don't feel guilty! Life is too short. If you go with a random person rather than through an agency, tell them the first time is a one off clean with a view to it being a regular thing if you can afford it (or be brave and say "you're on trial!") in case they're not very good and you're lumbered with them.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

YANBU... but YABU for even thinking YABU. I've had a cleaner for as long as I've been able to afford one -pre-child, post-child, single or in a relationship. I also hire electricians to do the electrics, plumbers to do the plumbing, gardeners to do the garden, decorators to do the painting ..... basically I'm getting the country back to full employment very, very slowly!

[jendot]

I love love love my cleaner.... I work extra hours to pay for her ( I like working more than cleaning!) she would be the very last luxury to 'go' if our circumstances changed... Infact I would eat beans on toast all week if it meant I could keep her
If you can afford it then go for it.

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Definitely do it. Then at least for a couple of days you will feel like you're on top of things. Also, it is easier to keep clean once it has been properly cleaned, if you know what I mean.

Try to get a cleaner that can help out towards the end of the week so that your weekend is easier. Mine comes on a Tuesday and by Friday I am having to clean the house again (I am a busy childminder so my house has a lot of traffic, and YES I am childminding as we speak: got 3 sleeping babies and a cup of coffee on the go!)

[Shesparkles]

Get one. I only work part time and have one.
I have guests this weekend and instead of running about like an idiot cleaning this morning, I've been able to go off and do other things with no stress.

Do it

[Chandon]

What you really should worry about is this:

" why do I need permission from everyone/anyone before I can decide to do someyhing that suits myself?"

I have a cleaner, I would sell the car and Kids before I'd get rid of her!

[muffinmonster]

Definitely get a cleaner if you can pay for one. With the long hours that you work, two children under 10 and no partner to help out, I can hardly think of a better way to spend your money.

Also, having the house regularly cleaned will keep things (like carpets) in good nick and make them last longer - so it could save you some money in the long run.

[Autumnchill]

I have no kids and a small house but both husband and I work long hours and come the weekend want to do something together other than clean the bathroom / kitchen.

My cleaner is in today for two hours and gets £20. She is a Godsend and I wouldn't be without her. I love going home on a Friday to a nice clean house.

If you can afford one, get one.

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

If you are finding it hard to squeeze it into the budget, you could get someone to come once a fortnight. That way it would at least illeviate the pressure on you, but you would still have to do some of it yourself which would assuage your guilt.

Just make sure you get a good one try to get recommendations if you can otherwise you will end up being angry about spending good money on something that would be easier to do yourself. My cleaner now charges a fairly high hourly rate but does a much better job in 2 hours than previous cleaners have done in 3 hours.

[PlantsDieArid]

I almost said 'if you were a working single dad posting...' then realised that the three working single dads I know all have cleaners, in the same way that they would have a garage do their MOT, an accountant do their taxes, blah blah.

Please get one. You owe it to your future self to know that you had lots of time and a lovely clean house to play with your dcs not beating yourself up for being a frazzled martyr hoovering under their feet and scratching their little faces with your roughened swarfega-smeling hands or accidentally running them through the mangle.

I've got one, and I heart her more than Godiva praline.

[Trills]

What makes you think it would be unreasonable, exactly?

[whatsforyou]

Why on earth would getting a cleaner BU?

If you can afford it then do it, I would in a shot!

And the added bonus that you are boosting the economy by creating work!