We have three DC, 6, 4 and 2, and (if all goes well) expecting #4 in March. We always wanted four close together, and spent a year TTC this one so hardly unexpected!
DH works long hours, and I am a SAHM since we had DC2.
I suffer badly in pregnancy - very bad nausea, heartburn and fatigue (plus spotting and cramps) for the first trimester, then early onset SPD from the start of the second trimester which leaves me in a wheelchair by the third trimester and I will need an ELCS. So as you might expect, the cleaning and tidying I'd normally do is falling by the wayside with no sign of improvement for nearly a year if all goes to plan!
DH is too exhausted to tidy much when he gets in from work but he makes the odd token gesture every now and again. The children will sometimes pick up their toys but it's a battle of wills, one I am usually too exhausted these days to enforce. Getting through the day right now with all the children intact is considered a "win". I am swamped. And miserable living in a pigsty.
We have no family within a few hundred miles who could help (and they're infirm pretty much too) so we're in this on our own. I also feel crap asking for help from people because we chose to have this many children and I feel that pretty much it serves me right.
The tidiness of the house is rapidly going downhill - funnily enough three young DC seem to have no concept of keeping things tidy despite our best efforts. We live in private rented (long story) so we need to keep the place in a decent condition in case of inspections. DH does earn a reasonable amount, so we could possibly get a cleaner for the next year.
But a cleaner just cleans, right? Is there such a thing as a cleaner that tidies as well? Picks up the toys, clothes, and rubbish and discarded orange peel and apple cores(!), unloads/loads the dishwasher, puts the washing on, sorts the washing out (no ironing needed!), does all the stuff I am supposed to be doing but physically can't now? Not every day, but once or twice a week for a few hours would probably be enough. DH might be more inspired to help if there were only little tasks left to do each day.. not the behemoth he is faced with when he gets home these days, so he just doesn't bother. I don't blame him either.
Any ideas? If such a person does exist, would they be called something besides a cleaner, and where is a good place to find somebody trustworthy?
Thank you!!
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A question about additional domestic help.
9 replies
CrispyFB · 20/08/2013 17:15
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