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Original poster

Client assumes I will clean if I have down time. How do I handle this?

118 replies

someonestolemynick · 13/04/2016 21:22

I've NC'd for this and will keep things as vague as possible.

Basically I'm a tutor who occasionally does childcare/babysitting. As a favour to an excisting client I took on a new client for a regular after school babysitting gig. The dc are around 10 years old so won't require constant supervision.

I have to say as babysitting goes, my rates aren't cheap. But as i don't need to prepare for babysitting, they are cheaper than my tuition fees. So I get that hiring me to sit in your house while the dc get on with stuff. I pointed that out to get, but she was happy with the fee.

I want to an initial meeting with her. All really great until the mother said: and when c happens, they'll probably just be upstairs playing, so you can do some cleaning. I didn't react at all. I think I probably looked quite put out. She proceeds to show me where she keeps different things including showing me subtly where the cleaning products are.

I know I should have said something at the time but I was incredibly stunned. I have been in this job for almost 10 years and I've never been asked to clean someone's house. Of course I tidy up (with the kids) after a session and will clean any mess when It comes up, but I am not a cleaner.

You can probably tell, that i am not happy with this. I'm actually quite offended that she would simply assume I would because
F

  1. I'm doing her and an excisting client a favour.
  2. I am shot at cleaning and hate it. For that reason I employ a cleaner in my own home.

So how do I deal with this?

  1. Have a conversation with her stating firmly and politely that she needs to hire a cleaner, if she wants someone else to clean her house.
  2. Get on with my job and wait for her to comment.
  3. Tell her that my commitements have changed and I won't be able to babysit for her again.

Or am I being previous and should just clean.

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Original poster
someonestolemynick · 15/04/2016 11:06

So far no payment. This gig is getting better and better. I'll start chasing soon.

I won't say where she's from because I don't want to out her or me.

I've already booked a class into the time when her next class is suppossed to be.

OP posts:
Footle · 15/04/2016 10:45

Kimmy, yes , jobs where you aren't respected are crap.

Footle · 15/04/2016 10:38

Kimmy, yes , jobs where you aren't respected are crap.

Bambambini · 15/04/2016 09:47

Where is she from? Sounds like she's more used to a maid/ child carer/ general dogsbody which is very common in some countries. We hired a babysitter in an asian country and she tydied up, washed dishes and did the laundry and ironed etc even though we didn't expect it. She even went through all my drawers and rearranged them.

LondonLondonTown · 15/04/2016 09:40

Hope you get paid today, if not showing up by lunchtime then text her

thecatfromjapan · 15/04/2016 09:36

I'm curious as to how it went, too.

gruffaloshmuffalo · 15/04/2016 09:28

Did she pay you?

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 15/04/2016 09:20

Nah I can understand that Footle unless you're living hand to mouth (been there, done that, got the wimpy burger outfit to prove it) then some things are just not worth it: when I did supply teaching you got bribed with much more £ the harder a school was/when it was blood sport/when you were supply no. three digit number...at some point, dealing with clients you don't want to or have to, free will comes into play and the £ becomes a moot point as it won't buy your health back. Not saying this is quite the same league but if the OP can afford to turn down the job then why would she deal with the stress of a demanding mum just for the cash? Especially if she can get work elsewhere.

Footle · 15/04/2016 07:36

'All the money in the world' eh ?

Spandexpants007 · 15/04/2016 07:10

Explain you don't do cleaning while you babysit normally. You're just the babysitter. You are willing to either do babysitting at the basic wage or it's £13 (or whatever) per hour for childcare/cleaning

VegasIsBest · 15/04/2016 06:49

How rude of her. At least this will have helped you make your decision - not that there was really any decision to make after this inconsiderate treatment of you.

Suggest you have a response ready when she asks you to carry on next week as otherwise she won't manage.....

HSMMaCM · 15/04/2016 06:39

I hope she doesn't refuse to pay because you didn't clean. You're right to never go back.

Original poster
someonestolemynick · 14/04/2016 22:13

Pissraking cow indeed

OP posts:
ScarletOHaHa · 14/04/2016 22:12

She's a cheeky cah, you should definitely leave. I hope she has the decency to pay you extra.

Original poster
someonestolemynick · 14/04/2016 22:11

She's not getting anything, because this gig wouldn't be worth all the money in the world.

Shame. The dc are really lovely and polite.

OP posts:
amarmai · 14/04/2016 21:46

she is actually getting a tutor at babysitting rates as the op will be supervising hw. I hope you are charging your normal rates for the # of cc you will be hw supervising, op. And she wants cleaning done too?!

expatinscotland · 14/04/2016 21:20

Yep, wait till the money is there. And then just a simple message, 'Unfortunately, I am no longer available for childcare, so you will need to make other arrangements from now. Kind regards, OP.'

And the end.

Fuck that. She's a pisstaking cow.

AnnieOnnieMouse · 14/04/2016 21:06

Ah, she wanted you to leave before she got home because she wanted to avoid getting a roasting from you.

Original poster
someonestolemynick · 14/04/2016 21:02

Yay, am on my way home.I got an apology in the text a promise to be paid by bank transfer tomorrow. i was offerex to go home as she was only a few min away. Once I've been paid I will be sadlt unavailable for any further babysitting.

I had a bad feeling about this from the start. Agree She doesn't seem to have any respect for me.

OP posts:
hejsvejs · 14/04/2016 20:40

Did she apologise in the text that she's running late at all?

LikeTheShoes · 14/04/2016 20:30

I do this job too, I leave the house in the same state as I find it (more or less, I'll empty the dishwasher etc but I don't hoover or do bathrooms)

She doesn't respect you or your time. Either impose a late charge of £10 per 5 mins after agreed time or never return.

Original poster
someonestolemynick · 14/04/2016 20:26

I'm not due for any more sessions until next week. I wouldn't let it out on the kid though.

I will just e-mail over the weekend to say I'm no longer available.

OP posts:
RudeElf · 14/04/2016 20:26

When she gets back charge her double fee for the hours she was late. How dare she! Agree, run after this!

allegretto · 14/04/2016 20:25

Just tell her you don't clean. I don't think it is that unusual though. I employ a babysitter who also irons!

Lweji · 14/04/2016 20:24

I hope she is paying 100s by the hour for a 1.5 hour commute.

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