To be ashamed of becoming a cleaner

Just to say, everyone, this thread is Mumsnet at its best 💕

You have done what a lot of other women feel unable to do and got yourself out of an abusive marriage ...you are amazing and strong just for doing that...you will never be a failure. You are putting your children first, at a time when they need you the most. It won't be forever. If people look down their noses at you that says far more about them! I'm educated, and have been a domestic and office cleaner when my kids were small, just to fit around school hours. I actually loved it 😄 it brought in some much needed money and I found it therapeutic! In fact that's how I met my current partner, he worked at the company I cleaned for! To this day, I find myself apologising to the hospital cleaner when I walk along the corridor when he's mopping the floor 🙈If I'm fit enough I'll do cleaning again when I retire

People who you really shouldn't care about will judge you, but don't take it to heart. I would be very proud of myself in your shoes. I have worked as a cleaner in a hospital when I was very young, but I'm also approaching retirement and have done very senior roles too for several decades now. It isn't a measure of who you are or what you are capable of. There is no shame in an honest living. There is shame in staying in a well-to-do relationship that doesn't teach your children the right life lessons. One day they will know that and be proud of you.

I know what you mean, people are horrible to you when you work in bottom rung jobs. I did a fair few in my student days and people literally look at you like dirt. Now I’m an academic so somehow garner respect, except I’m the same person with same feelings.

You shouldn’t be ashamed though. We all need cleaners and other similar professions. Cleaners can earn a fair amount too, especially when they own the business.

I’ve done two cleaning jobs and they were the best jobs I ever had . No stress , left alone , and come home time I could completely switch off .

Why are there several cleaner related threads getting resurrected tonight?

Anyway, I mentioned it in my last comment. Some knobs on MN will look down on cleaners and berate them for not progressing in life. They can feck off.

Pre retirement, I worked at a senior level and interviewed staff for senior posts - we always favoured applicants who had previous work experience (usually between jobs, student or during Covid) as cleaners, waiting staff, security etc. We felt that they showed a strong work ethic and had experience of dealing with others.
You should be proud of what you’re doing and one day your children will be proud too.

No-one with any sense whatsoever looks down on their cleaner (or anyone who does any honest job to make a living). My cleaner comes while i'm wfh and we don't talk much as we are both working but i view her as a professional, just as I would someone who was building an extension for me, painting my living room or doing my tax return. These are all skills I don't have (or not to the same degree). That's fine, they can hire me for my services if they need someome with my skills at any point.

Love being a cleaner. Great job satisfaction and great clients. I was busy ironing yesterday as the 92 year old lady I work for on a Friday has hurt her arm. She'd got air conditioning on, Radio 4, gave me coffee and biscuits and we had some lovely chats.

Anyone who judges you for your job is a horrible person. I think you deserve immense respect for getting stuck in and literally getting your hands dirty.

I also think you can style this one out and turn it to your advantage. An educated, well-spoken cleaner who is not on their mobile phone all the time and speaks native English would be a godsend to most people! I imagine you could start a business or at least charge extra.

I value our cleaning lady immensely, without her the house would be just dirty as I have zero time to clean, even though I enjoy cleaning and find it therapeutic.