To feel like a lazy cow because I have a cleaner?

[GladitsnotJustMe]

DH runs his own business employing several staff.

There currently isn't enough work on for one of his admin staff, but he doesn't want to lose her, and doesn't want to drop her hours (she needs the money), so has asked her to come and clean our house one day a week. She is happy with this.

However, I told him I'd feel like a lazy bastard if we had a cleaner as I really ought to be doing it myself. I work full time, but have no DCs and work from home and have an easy job, so I do have it easy. He works incredibly hard.

However, we both find it difficult to keep up with the cleaning, as it's a big house and frankly we we prefer to spend the one day a week we have off together doing fun stuff, not cleaning the house.

She's coming tomorrow - I'm going to spend the evening tidying and cleaning so I'm not too ashamed!

AIBU to feel guilty about having a cleaner??

[MrsShortfuse]

Yes you are!

I would love one.

[GladitsnotJustMe]

Oh god I'm going to have to clean the house this evening aren't I.....

Heaven forbid she finds my DP (her boss's) Poo crumbs or toenail clippings...!

[GladitsnotJustMe]

What makes it worse is that I'll be here while she's cleaning... gonna feel like lady muck having her hoovering under my feet while I'm working on Mumsnet

[Deadhamsterssmell]

I am a SAHM and would happily employ a cleaner if we could afford it. I hate cleaning!

I would feel awkward if I was in though.

Sorry, not much help except that you shouldn't feel guilty.

[HarpyFishwifeTwat]

I'm in exactly the same position - DH WOHM very long hours, I work from home in hours that suit me and have no DC but I'm a total lazy cow and hate cleaning. Be glad to have the cleaner and be happy to keep someone in employment.

[GladitsnotJustMe]

Harpy and Deadhamster thank you!!

I am a lazy cow, then feel guilty and spend all weekend cleaning while DP is at work, then feel even more guilty when I don't get it all done and we both spend our day off together cleaning...

The best I can do is to make it easy for her (by leaving the house tidy) and be nice to her. In my defence, I cleaned for friends and family when I worked part-time, and they never felt guilty!!

I'll be in tomorrow for her first day, just so I can show her where everything is. Then I'll try and make sure I'm out every other time, to give her some space.

[KittensoftPuppydog]

I don't work full time and have no kids and I'm thinking of getting one. I really am lazy.
I used to be a cleaner though. It's not a bad job. I've also employed cleaners in the past. I've found that the key is to pretend to be very busy on the computer when they come round.

[gintastic]

Are you mad? My cleaner starts tomorrow and I can't wait! 3DC's a d I've just gone back to work after mat leave. Having a cleaner was one of my deal breakers re working/not working...

[Pinkbutterfly31]

Don't worry about it! I have a lovely lady that does my ironing for me and I wouldn't be without it. It's the one job I can't bear. It's takes me about 3 hours to do about 5 items, whereas she can do a mountain so big, it has goats roaming the top of it in about an hour. Whatever makes life easier at the end of the day!

[starfishmummy]

Please send her here!!

[SoSoHappy]

I'm moving in with my new DP this weekend, and starting a new job in a couple of weeks. DP works long hours, I'll be working 37.5 hours a week in my new job and have said I'm happy to take over most of the cleaning but he's said we'll sort out a cleaner as he wants us to be able to enjoy our weekends as a couple. I won't feel guilty at all about having a cleaner. The time when I'm home while DP is still at work, I'm going to use for exercise or pampering and I'm going to thoroughly enjoy it

[dirtyface]

no deffo not OP

esp as you work ft as well

i am a cleaner and most of my clients are (LUCKY) ladies who don't work at all as they don't need to so don't feel guilty or lazy

[Tailtwister]

We have a cleaner once every 2 weeks. I work from home and love it when she comes. I have yet to tell DH that he spends £10 a fortnight for me to have a good cup of tea and a natter.

I used to feel really guilty when I didn't work OP, but now I do I don't. In reality I actually had more to do when I didn't work!

[Charlottehere]

Lucky cow

[animaniac]

don't feel guilty, I would love a cleaner! im currently on mat leave but going back to work in 2 months and I will see if we can afford one then. I dont want to waste family time at weekends/evenings cleaning the house!

[KatieScarlett2833]

The nano second DC leave home I'm getting a cleaner. I dream of this like others dream of winning the lottery.

[Owllady]

do not feel guilty!
you both sound like really lovely people and it will be keeping her in work too, think of that (:o!)

[GladitsnotJustMe]

Glad I'm not the only one.

Just makes me love DP even more for never complaining that I'm such a shit housewife.

I'm utterly shite at ironing too, he does that while I'm out at evening class once a week. God I'm rubbish!

[squoosh]

Why should any woman feel guilty about outsourcing housework if she can afford to? Cleaning is deathly boring. Fact.

I'm sure your admin/cleaner is happy to be able to maintain her current wage.

[Owllady]

my husband does the ironing a swell
really chill out!

[bashifuku]

It's an arrangement that works for everyone. I really don't understand the guilt that comes from outsourcing this particular job.

I don't feel guilty or lazy that someone drives my groceries to my house, or that someone cleans my windows, or that I paid someone to fix a window that I possibly could've done myself. I work, I'm contributing to the economy, I am paying a decent wage. So why the angst?

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

None of my clients are lazy cows.

[carolmillen]

I'd like a cleaner but I wouldn't want someone I knew - might be a bit awkward if there were any issues or embarrassing situations! plus I'd want someone who was used to cleaning as their job.