I have a housekeeper

[Backtothey2k]

Didn’t have time to do this before , but as I have some time thought I would do a AMA about my housekeeper.

Oh my gosh no 😂 I know my strengths , I absolutely love what I do and I'm good at it .
Give me a chaotic event setup or a tricky property deal any day, over sorting out day today household stuff . I’ll stick to what I’m best at and leave the household stuff to the professionals

Very interesting that someone with such poor spelling and grammar can earn enough "in property and events" to afford a housekeeper and second home. I'm much more interested in your source of income than your housekeeper tbh.

I know, it is amazing what someone with dyslexia can achieve isn't it? 😏 Seems like a little bit of the green eyed monster is peeking through. But you know this is an AMA about my housekeeper. Not a this is my life documentary. If you want a masterclass in how to buy property and start a business you'll have to look elsewhere.

we both actually come from working class backgrounds. My dad did start a successful business in my late teens, which was a huge help for advice and business knowledge. so we definitely didn't come from moneyed families. Loads of people have nannies and cleaners, so while a housekeeper isn't standard for the circles we move in. It just seemed like the perfect solution when the kids no longer needed a nanny but I still needed extra help with our busy schedules.

How does she know what you want about things? That is the bit I can’t quite work out how it works.

So, she is getting you new cutlery. But how does she know you want new cutlery? And how does she know which cutlery to get? I have strong views on cutlery. And pillows. And everything.

There is so much of my life I would quite like to outsource. But I also like things done in a particular way. And I can’t quite square that circle.

What is interesting about the fact you pay someone to do domestic tasks for you? It's genuinely not an AMA topic.

It's like saying 'I have a hairdresser/I have a gardener.' unless we live near you and want their number I don't see why you posted this? Even then that wouldn't be what AMA is for.

Agree
It further undermines "womens" work

I find it really interesting. I spend so much time doing stuff that is less useful to the world than the job I do (which I am fairly good at and involves fairly rare skills that I have). If I could offload all the “stuff” I have to do then maybe I could do more of my job.

But I just can’t work out how it works. How does the housekeeper know that you want to take the blue top on a weekend trip and not the red one? Or whether you need to take a second pair of contact lenses because the pair you are wearing are feeling a bit gritty?

But - it would be awesome if I could just download all the “need to remember” stuff that rattles around my brain (and my endless to do lists) and someone else just fixes stuff!

So like most households with kids 😫 my cutlery seems to vanish . So if I’m low she would just get more in the same style. Same with pillows she knows which ones we like so gets the same . If I wanted to change the decor then she wouldn’t do that. I guess I’m just not picky .Don’t get me wrong it’s done in a particular way and I like it. I don’t have strong feelings on how my bed should be made . It’s made the same way and I like it never thought to ask for it to be made differently.

Are you an UHNW household?

I have nothing to ask but just wanted to say I’m a little (very) jealous! I have OCD, inattentive ADHD and crippling anxiety and my mood depends on what I’ve done in the house (my OCD is based around mess and clutter) which I am currently in treatment for. I know I’d still probably go and make the beds the way I like it because what I’ve got is a medical condition but I can’t say I wouldn’t love to walk into a room and it be tidy without any help from me 😂

Have you ever had to have a difficult conversation with her? For example, had to correct the way she did something etc. Was it awkward?

Are you a man with a wife and making some sort of political point?

I can’t understand your posts - like how your bed has always been made for you and you can’t comprehend it being any different, yet claim to be from a normal income family.

You know this is a situation the vast, vast majority of women posting on here would love and yet you demonstrate no humility about it. Do you love and appreciate it? Do you recommend it despite the huge cost? Do you wish it was available cheaper for more women?

Do you see housekeeping as a feminist issue? Most of us can’t outsource all the domestic crap and so we do have the second shift.

Your lack of humility (as I perceive it) is upsetting. Do you think you uniquely deserve this help?

Do other people you know (friends and family) also have housekeepers?

I think having a housekeeper is a wonderful idea if you can afford it. Some people have lots of help from family and that’s not frowned upon. The only thing that would bother me is that I am extremely private and would struggle to trust someone, to be so involved in my family life. I suppose you just have to get the right person. I have cleaners but they literally just clean, no organising, no tidying etc.

This really made me giggle

It's interesting to me, so I'm glad she posted it. You can just not comment or read if you aren't interested.

I’m very very private too but they don’t snoop. If you find the right person they truly make your life easier. It’s such a privilege for sure that majority can’t afford. I remember the last post from the OP and they got such a hard time.

AMA except for all of the questions you’re asking 🙄😂

Of course she is 😂

More than minimum wage for 60% of the hours. Tidying up after you and making packed lunch.

That is a huge salary for a part-time general housekeeper!

Having housekeepers isn’t an alien concept to me and my circle but I don’t think I know anyone who pays that much.

Ain’t you posh

I wouldn’t say huge , Think how much people would pay for a personal assistant, cleaner , help with kids and pets . she has worked for us for many years. An I appreciate her immensely and it’s not easy to find people you can trust.

That's quite sanctimonious. It is a form of paid labour. In what way is it undermining a woman's work? There are male housekeepers too you know.

Because posters are asking the OP why she doesn't do the work herself with the inference that she is lazy and saying that her rate of pay is too high.