To hire a cleaner

[50shadesofknackered]

I'm thinking about hiring a cleaner to deep clean my house for Christmas. I work 4 days a week (including Saturday and Sunday) every week. I want to spend my days off with dc's and I feel I'd be able to maintain the house better if it was cleaned really well. I'm getting the quote from the cleaning company tomorrow, my problem is my mum is horrified and has made me feel really lazy. She's assured me that she could have the house done in no time and I'm a fit healthy woman who could spend her money in better ways. She has valied points but I feel I have valied reasons also and I'm not being lazy. The house isn't a shit pit by the way I just find it hard to fit in deep cleaning around work and looking after dc's as does my dh. So am I being lazy and aibu or is my mum being harsh and judgemental?

[HazleNutt]

So what if you're lazy? Most of the things are invented because we're lazy and want to make life easier - lazyness is good!
I could have all kinds of things done in no time, I just can't be bothered to do all of them. Of course hire a cleaner.

[alisarah]

YANBU - it is on my wish list when I have the money. Unless your mum is volunteering to do it for you for nothing??

Out of interest, when you were your childrens age; did your mum work 4 days a week as well as maintain a perfect house?

[Bubblemoon]

Your Mum says you're a fit healthy woman who could spend her money in better ways.

I say you're a fit healthy woman who can spend her money any way she pleases.

YABU to let your Mum dictate how you lead your life and run your home.

[SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood]

as others point out -does your mum cut her own hair? Service her own car?Or does she outsource some jobs but not others?

[FermezLaBouche]

Ignore anyone who says you're lazy.

If you've got the money to pay for a deep clean, do it. I'm never on top of the housework and it really gets me down. If I could afford a cleaner I would do it like a shot.
BTW my mum would hit the ROOF as well but when you think about it, it's really none of her business.

[charlottehere]

Oh FGS, just do it. If your mum is so capable suggest she does it.

[LemonBreeland]

Get your house cleaned. And learn the lesson not to tell your Mum anything in future unless you want her opinion.

[sheeplikessleep]

Your mum is being harsh and judgemental.

I'm tempted myself. House gets superficially cleaned, but I don't have the time or inclination when I'm not working to do a 'proper' clean.

Can I ask how much you've been quoted?

[DontmindifIdo]

See, your mistake was telling her, I had a cleaner for 6 months before I mentioned it in passing with my parents (who think it's a terrible waste of money, but then they see spending on anything that isn't basics as a terrible waste of money).

Just book it, don't tell your mum, if she asks, feel free to say "Oh, gosh yes! Of course I could do it, but I can find much better things to do with my time and we can afford it, so why waste my time cleaning when someone else can do it?" with a big grin. If she starts suggesting you're lazy say "probably, I just don't like cleaning and can afford not to do" shrug and smile.

[MrsMmoo]

Get one , you won't regret it. I would rather cut off my right arm than give my cleaner up now.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHopeful]

Your money your choice

YANBU (or lazy).

[JurassicFart]

Just do it. Why do you care if your mum thinks you're lazy? You know you're not, and you know your priorities. It has nothing to do with her. And next time she gets her carpets cleaned, or her nails done, or her hair cut, ask her why she didn't do it herself.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

YANBU. You mum sounds like a bit of a martyr to me. Why on earth would you spend valuable time cleaning if you can afford to get someon else to do it?

[DontmindifIdo]

oh yes, now I have a cleaner, I would cut back on hair cuts, chocolate, new clothes etc than get rid of the cleaner. I am currently pregnant and I think I'll drop my cleaner to every other week when on maternity leave, but not cancelling it all together - I figure it's cheaper than a divorce and running two homes...

[ivykaty44]

See the problem is your mum is not you and your mum may spend money on things you think are a waste and visa versa - that is due to being different.

So explain kindly - mum we are all different and I love you dearly for allowing me to be different from you even if you don't approve of the things I spend my money on

[WorraLiberty]

Has anyone ever in the history of MumsNet just hired themselves a cleaner without starting a thread asking if they should hire a cleaner?

The answers are always exactly the same.

Just bloody do it!

[JurassicFart]

Worra I thought the same as you. Although, I have a cleaner and I made the decision myself.

[Ephiny]

Just do it if you want to. It's none of your mum's business, you don't have to justify yourself to her!

[nokidshere]

I didn't ask worra

I love my cleaner. She might not be the greatest cleaner in the world but she keeps my house looking good and frees up my time to do other things. I'm lazy - who cares :)

[KenLeeeeeee]

So what if it IS lazy? Nowt wrong with a bit of well-placed laziness. If it makes your life easier in the run up to Christmas and enables you to have a bit more stress-free time with the kids, bloody well go for it.

I want a cleaner and I'm a SAHM fgs!

[50shadesofknackered]

Thank you! I feel much better now. I know its crazy but she made me feel crappy. I'll hire them and try to enjoy not having to fit the cleaning around organising Christmas and working. To the poster who asked about the quote, she's coming round tomorrow so I could post on this thread or pm u if u'd like?

[Ephiny]

I didn't ask either. Though it was DH who sorted it, not me, and I assume he didn't ask on MN!

[FunnysInLaJardin]

at Worra. It's because we are all full of MC/Leftwing angst. We feel it is wrong on one level but can afford it and are we all willing to sell our principles down the river for an easy life? The answer is always yes, but it's always as well to check first.

I'm sure the letters page of The Lady or Country Life don't deal with such dilemmas

[sashh]

You are providing employment in a reccessoin - it's not lazy, it's helping the economy.

[sheeplikessleep]

50shades - yes please, I'd love to know what it would cost.

I'd love a regular weekly or fortnightly cleaner, but we just have too much stuff and trying to keep it tidy would just stress me out.

But I'd quite happily tidy up and then have someone come in and clean it all really well as a one off.

OP - definitely go for it and I'd love to know what it'd cost too. Thanks