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Original poster

Nannies - does it annoy you if houses are disorganised

73 replies

LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 10:56

Our house is clean but a bit messy and there’s always something that needs doing.

I’m working a lot at the moment (full time but a bit random days) and dp works full time. We have a 10month old daughter

I make sure there’s food and nappies etc for dc, I turn the dishwasher on before I leave the house in the morning but the kitchen surfaces won’t be wiped because I’ve sorted breakfasts and lunches and the bins might not have been emptied and there’s clothes on the landing and shit in the lounge etc etc

i wish I had time to do everything but I don’t and dp does minimal as he’s a bloke (sorry I know it’s cliche). He does help in other ways

when I’m at work I sometimes think it might nark the nanny that things aren’t left in a tidy state for her when she comes in. But I’m flat out getting various shit done and it feels like fire-fighting

I assumed this is probably normal for a family but sometimes it crosses my mind that maybe the nanny might feel a bit…I don’t know…disrespected?

she’s lovely and seems to like working with us

OP posts:
Stickmansmum · 30/09/2022 10:59

I can hear my nanny hoovering the stairs right now. But mine is more a nanny housekeeper (by her choice). She basically uses her hours to replace me, not just mind the kids.

Doesnt answer your question but as long as you are clear that you don’t expect her to tidy mess she doesn’t see as her job then I doubt there’s any problem. I’d find it impossible to not tidy up to be honest if I was a nanny.

Beachbabe1 · 30/09/2022 11:10

You could ask her to be nanny/housekeeper and pay accordingly? Otherwise, explain that you dont expect her to tidy up

Bonjovispjs · 30/09/2022 11:15

Yes, it is infuriating. I'm happy to muck in with my bosses, but I always leave the areas I and the kids use tidy at the end of the day, but they'll be a pigsty when I come back in the morning, which makes me feel like they think of me as a skivvy rather than am employee and that makes me feel extremely disrespected.

I guess it's different if you're pushed for time, but my employers have plenty of spare time, they just don't bother or are too lazy. It also drives every other nanny I know crazy and just to warn you, I know of nannies who share videos around of the messy houses where they work, not that I ever have done, neither would I. I wouldn't want to work somewhere that has to be absolutely spotless, but respect goes both ways.

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Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:22

Bonjovispjs · 30/09/2022 11:15

Yes, it is infuriating. I'm happy to muck in with my bosses, but I always leave the areas I and the kids use tidy at the end of the day, but they'll be a pigsty when I come back in the morning, which makes me feel like they think of me as a skivvy rather than am employee and that makes me feel extremely disrespected.

I guess it's different if you're pushed for time, but my employers have plenty of spare time, they just don't bother or are too lazy. It also drives every other nanny I know crazy and just to warn you, I know of nannies who share videos around of the messy houses where they work, not that I ever have done, neither would I. I wouldn't want to work somewhere that has to be absolutely spotless, but respect goes both ways.

Sorry to read this…food for thought

OP posts:
NannyR · 30/09/2022 11:25

It does annoy me a bit. I have no problem mucking in and doing household jobs, for example if a bin is full I'll empty it, I won't leave it for the parents because "it's not in my contract", but there are some homes where things like this are consistently left for the nanny to sort out day in day out and that does annoy me.
I leave the house clean and tidy when I leave in the evening, the kitchen floor is swept, pots and pans washed and put away, surfaces wiped down, majority of the toys put away, I rarely find it in that state when I come in in the morning.
I suppose the question is, are you happy for the nanny to leave things in the same state as she finds it or do you want her to clear up yours and her own mess?

Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:26

I think it's disrespectful to expect her to work in a dirty home. You said your house is clean just untidy. I wouldn't consider dirty work tops clean and clothes on the landing clean. If these basics aren't taken care of I can only imagine how dirty the floors and bathroom are. You need to leave the house clean or pay extra for the Nanny to clean.

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:29

The bathrooms are clean (can’t stand dirty bathrooms) and the floor gets mopped twice a week

this thread is making me feel bad
I need to up my game

OP posts:
Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:32

Surely the floor should be mopped everyday🤔

Clymene · 30/09/2022 11:33

wish I had time to do everything but I don’t and dp does minimal as he’s a bloke (sorry I know it’s cliche). He does help in other ways

Your problem is your partner is a lazy arsehole. Why isn't he rushing around in the mornings? Please don't tell me you make his lunch for him

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:34

NannyR · 30/09/2022 11:25

It does annoy me a bit. I have no problem mucking in and doing household jobs, for example if a bin is full I'll empty it, I won't leave it for the parents because "it's not in my contract", but there are some homes where things like this are consistently left for the nanny to sort out day in day out and that does annoy me.
I leave the house clean and tidy when I leave in the evening, the kitchen floor is swept, pots and pans washed and put away, surfaces wiped down, majority of the toys put away, I rarely find it in that state when I come in in the morning.
I suppose the question is, are you happy for the nanny to leave things in the same state as she finds it or do you want her to clear up yours and her own mess?

I don’t expect the nanny to clear up anything apart from what might happen whilst she’s there like a spilled drink or something
the only thing I need her to do is look after my baby, nothing else

OP posts:
AdInfinitum12 · 30/09/2022 11:34

I think you need to evaluate what you're expecting from her. Does she cook for the kid(s)? If so, it's not fair to leave the kitchen sides unwiped with breakfast stuff on them because she needs to clean before being able to do her job. And with respect you said your house was clean but not tidy.. I wouldn't consider a kitchen clean if leftover breakfast mess was there.

Northernsoullover · 30/09/2022 11:34

Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:32

Surely the floor should be mopped everyday🤔

Really? Why? If I spill something I'll clean it immediately but no way would I mop daily.

Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:36

Northernsoullover · 30/09/2022 11:34

Really? Why? If I spill something I'll clean it immediately but no way would I mop daily.

Show quote history

I mop my floors everyday. Doesn't take long. I like a clean house.

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:38

AdInfinitum12 · 30/09/2022 11:34

I think you need to evaluate what you're expecting from her. Does she cook for the kid(s)? If so, it's not fair to leave the kitchen sides unwiped with breakfast stuff on them because she needs to clean before being able to do her job. And with respect you said your house was clean but not tidy.. I wouldn't consider a kitchen clean if leftover breakfast mess was there.

I do all cooking but she warms things up which is still cooking I guess.
there’s no breakfast crockery / food stuff out - that’s in the dishwasher etc. It’s just there might be water on the side and crumbs here and there and a couple of bits in the sink

OP posts:
hellosunshineagainxxx · 30/09/2022 11:38

Not to derail but who mops their floors every day 😯 I hoover once a day and mop twice a week

Testng123 · 30/09/2022 11:38

I'd always try and leave it clean...counters wiped etc. Shove a mess into my bedroom if necessary. There's a difference between a bit messy (toys not tidied up ) and dirty (crumbs all over counter and floor). I would hate to work in a dirty room.

It's one of the downsides of someone minding in your house.

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:39

Clymene · 30/09/2022 11:33

wish I had time to do everything but I don’t and dp does minimal as he’s a bloke (sorry I know it’s cliche). He does help in other ways

Your problem is your partner is a lazy arsehole. Why isn't he rushing around in the mornings? Please don't tell me you make his lunch for him

I generally do as he’s upstairs with baby who’s awake whilst I’m downstairs getting stuff done

OP posts:
Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:39

hellosunshineagainxxx · 30/09/2022 11:38

Not to derail but who mops their floors every day 😯 I hoover once a day and mop twice a week

Obviously I do. Don't know why it's so shocking to you.

Brefugee · 30/09/2022 11:40

this thread is making me feel bad
I need to up my game

how about your DH ups his game?

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:40

Floors are swept at least once a day but def not mopped. Each to their own on this one

OP posts:
Brefugee · 30/09/2022 11:41

seriously, though, how long does it take to dampen a cloth and wipe a surface?

LadySybilRamekin · 30/09/2022 11:41

Not a nanny but employer - I run around like a blue-arsed fly before leaving the house to make sure surfaces are clean and dirty dishes put away/stacked up by the sink. It's not fair on the nanny to have dirty laundry etc. all over the place - it's their place of work. Random clean clutter is fine in my book though, as long as there's place to prepare food and sit down and eat.

ICanHideButICantRun · 30/09/2022 11:43

Belladonnamama · 30/09/2022 11:32

Surely the floor should be mopped everyday🤔

Who cleans the floor every day if they have a full time job?

Original poster
LovelyQuiche · 30/09/2022 11:44

Brefugee · 30/09/2022 11:41

seriously, though, how long does it take to dampen a cloth and wipe a surface?

Seconds. But it’s not just that - all the micro jobs that need doing all add up and I’m struggling to keep up

OP posts:
NotLactoseFree · 30/09/2022 11:45

It's impossible to know if "some spilled water and a few crumbs" is genuinely all it is or not. Certainly, I would expect basic cleanliness and the kitchen and bathroom in particular as those are areas she'll need to use as part of her duties with the baby.

And hahahahahahaha re mopping floors daily. Ours are mopped once a week and vacuumed 2-3 times a week.

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