Does anyone have a housekeeper/or is anyone a housekeeper?

[makedoandmend]

Could you tell me how much you pay them/get paid and what sort of hours they do? Plus what sort of duties do they/you do? Oh and how do you find them?

[CybilLiberty]

I feel like a housekeeper most days. Does that count?

[saltyseadog]

Nope - but would love one .

My mum had one when my db and I were younger (she was a single parent with very high-flying job) - the housekeeper cooked, cleaned, walked the dog, ironed and kept an eye on db and I (we were well past the age of needing a F/T nanny).

[makedoandmend]

CybilLiberty I know the feeling. Currently typing with marigolds on (hadn't noticed ) while dh is asleep with dd (he was tired after staying up watching crap TV last night ) while I run around tidying the place for visit from ILs.

saltyseadog My dh's mum had one when he was young - that's where i got the idea from.

We're not high flying (by any stretch of the imagination) but we are very wasteful. I just did a calculation on what we waste on ready meals for us and food for dd (I'm so guilty about not making her great stuff that I buy the hideously expensive stuff). Add in the cleaner and other stuff that we could cut out and I think we might be able to stretch.

[TeaOneSugar]

That appears to be one of my many job titles!

I personally would find a cleaner or housekeeper intrusive, but I could certainly appreciate the results - I think I probably need a fairy of some sort .

[SausageRocket]

No, but I am getting a cleaner and I am SO excited. No more spending my one poxy day off scrubbing the the loo from school drop off to school pick up. Hurrah!

[saltyseadog]

I think they are great if you're both working F/T as the house keeps ticking over - however I don't think that they're a cheap commodity. Have you thought about making other lifestyle changes first - like batch cooking for your dd for example? Easier said than done I know; dh and I both work long hours and it's tempting at the end of the day to whizz into Waitrose/ M&S and buy some overpriced organic stuff - so certainly not knocking you for it. I've made a concerted effort recently to get on top of it (humongous chilli cooking in the oven as I type) and it does make a difference.

[saltyseadog]

Should also add that if you think it's going to make your life heaps easier just go for it - I'm all for making things simpler .

[BonsoirAnna]

If you are thinking about a housekeeper, you could talk to a few agencies to get a feel for what are usual duties and pay.

Here in Paris lots of people have full-time maids who clean, cook, shop, look after children etc. They need a fair amount of management, however.

[makedoandmend]

saltyseadog - believe me not looking at them as a cheap commodity! I know i'll have to pay - but it maybe worth it!

I've just been looking at how much I do at the mo (dh helps but he works long hours and isn't very good at thinking ahead. Also he tends to take the quickest route with everything - which sometimes isn't the best!) and I'm at how the hell I'm going to fit it in when I go back to work (in a matter of weeks). It'll be part time but long hours and on my two days off will want to spend more time with dd but I think, if I don't get more help, I'll be spending it cramming all the housework/washing in.

I'm also a hopeless cook - really - I poisoned someone last time I made a meal (and I wash my hands scrupulously when cooking ) Since then I lost all confidence (also old OCD flared up again and it sort of focuses on food)

It may be a pipe dream but god, it's a lovely one

[makedoandmend]

BonsoirAnna - will look at agencies - hadn't even occured to me that that would be the place to look. Really I'm clueless when it comes to this sort of thing.

[mmrsceptic]

you are the second person today looking for a housekeeper

how odd

[makedoandmend]

ooh am I? It's obviously someone else facing another weekend running around cleaning - we've been pushed over the edge!

[saltyseadog]

In that case MDAM I hope you find someone quickly. I often think I need a Mrs. Doubtfire

[frakkinpannikinAGRIPPA]

We have a housekeeper where I work at the moment (in Paris, waves to BonsoirAnna).

The best British agency for household staff is Greycoats, but they're expensive, followed up by Staff of Distinction, also fairly expensive. Have a browse on their websites to look at housekeeper profiles though.

Our housekeeper doesn't do any childcare but she does all the cleaning, laundry, ironing, occasionally cooks for dinner parties/the weekend (nannies do the child's cooking), takes in the internet shop, goes to the market etc. She works 9am-3pm daily, no idea what she's paid!