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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to get a cleaner?

33 replies

MsFox · 10/01/2011 13:46

I have 2 DC's, one on the way. DC1 at school, DS2 starting nursery 2 mornings a week, DC3 due in May. Once number three is here I'd like to get a cleaner in one day a week to clean the house (hoover, polish, wash floors, bathrooms, ironing). We can afford it, although we are by no means 'well off'. However, I don't have a job, and so it could be argued that the housework is my job.

AIBU?

OP posts:

KangarooCaught · 10/01/2011 13:47

RunforFun · 10/01/2011 13:47

Of course you are.

TrillianAstra · 10/01/2011 13:48

Hire a cleaner. It'll be good for the economy.

If you can afford it, and you would rather pay someone to do it for you, then why not? This applies to pretty much anything actually.

mitziw · 10/01/2011 13:48

if you can afford it its totally up to you. i think people worry what others think too much (i know i do!)

mutznutz · 10/01/2011 13:48

Why would you care what others think? If you want one..get one. If you don't then errr...don't?

victoriah3 · 10/01/2011 13:49

Wish I could afford a cleaner - especially ironing (hate it)

BirdyBedtime · 10/01/2011 13:49

I'd say that if you want one and can afford it YANBU and anyway, looking after your new baby and other DCs should be your 'job' so to speak. I hated having to fit in housework when DCs were babies and I was at home, as I just never seemed to find the time during the day. Most got done in evenings just like when I'm at work. DH has offered to pay for a cleaner for us but I'm just too fussy to let someone else (even DH) do it!!

ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 10/01/2011 13:51

yanbu

if you can afford it. i know what i would rather be doing with a new baby

Original poster

MsFox · 10/01/2011 13:51

Because I will be having the discussion with DH tonight and it's useful to know if I am beforehand mutznutz. (Also useful to get some points to back up my arguement, thanks TrillianAstra )

OP posts:

Original poster

MsFox · 10/01/2011 13:53

BirdyBedtime - precisely why I want one. With 3 I'm worried I'm not going to have enough time to go round, and I just know that the two mornings I will have just baby and me will be spent cleaning instead of snuggling!

OP posts:

ragged · 10/01/2011 13:57

yanbu, I am a SAHM with a cleaner.

I am bad at cleaning house and I get exhausted when I try to do too much (I need to not push myself). We can afford it and my cleaner is delighted because she needs the work/money. Winners all round.

FabbyChic · 10/01/2011 13:59

Do you have a phobia about getting your hands dirty, if you kept on top of things it would be easy to keep it properly clean.

I find a once over every day for 20 mins saves hours on the monthly chores of cleaning under furniture, and the skirting boards.

Unrulysun · 10/01/2011 13:59

No YANBU - it's not 1950 and you're a SAHM not a housewife. It's taken me a while to work out this difference but I'm finally there! In fact dh has been saying this for ages - my job to look after dd in the day, his job to earn money - both of our jobs to make sure everything runs ok. :)

TrillianAstra · 10/01/2011 13:59

Think of how it will benefit DH for you to have a cleaner as well as how it will benefit you. Happier DW, for one.

LindyHemming · 10/01/2011 13:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlingLoving · 10/01/2011 13:59

YANBU. You are a stay at home mum to three children. Your job is to look after them. Clearly, if you can afford it, outsourcing non-core tasks allows you to concentrate on your core responsibilities and not be overwhelmed and bored by the non important stuff.

This is a practice that is probably true of all jobs. We outsource certain work we could do because a) others can do it better b) it costs us too much in time and effort for it's importance c) we have other things that we need to concentrate on.

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 10/01/2011 14:02

Everybody should have a cleaner.

Serendippy · 10/01/2011 14:02

YANBU. It is a very different situation, having one child at home during the day to having 2 there, especially with one so young who needs a lot of holding. Sometimes people who only had one child at home at a time don't realise that with every child, the housework, playtime, washing, stories is increased. If you can afford it, do it.

ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 10/01/2011 14:03

i agree thecoalition.

OTheHugeManatee · 10/01/2011 14:03

No. If you can afford it of course you're not being U. I don't get this moralistic 'Why pay someone else if you can do it yourself' business.

Original poster

MsFox · 10/01/2011 14:06

Am so happy with the majority response I'm getting!

Anyone that has/has had a cleaner, how much do you pay? I'm thinking about £10 per hour? We're in the South West if that makes a difference.

OP posts:

anonacfr · 10/01/2011 14:08

YANBU.
I'm in exactly the same position as you. DC3 also due in May but DC2 not due to start nursery till at least Sept.

We have a cleaner once a week and it has been a lifesaver. She does all the proper cleaning but I still find myself tidying/mopping/picking up clothes and toys/wiping surfaces etc all day long. The difference is I don't do the 'heavy work' so to speak.

On top of the kids you have to handle being pregnant, doing all the laundry (young kids) and the cooking/shopping etc, not to mention the back and forth to school and nursery and of course the entertaining of the children when they're at home. It's hardly sittig around doing nothing.

Go for it!

emy72 · 10/01/2011 14:13

I've had one whenever there has been a new baby around. Now that my youngest is 16 months old and I am not pregnant, I find it much easier to cope without.

I have let her go now, as we were spending about £350 a month, and although we can afford it (just), I'd rather put the money in the children's savings accounts.

What I found is that actually tidying up after 4 children, cooking for 6 and washing/ironing are definitely the biggest/most time consuming jobs in my house and that cleaning is a breeze in comparison.

I would recommend getting one for a while and seeing how you get on. We also paid £10 an hour. I might ask her back when I go back to work if I feel I can't cope!!!

naturalbaby · 10/01/2011 14:16

dc3 is due in 2 weeks and i'm getting one. when ds2 was a baby i spent far too much time doing housework and feel guilty now - both boys were happy to entertain themselves and eachother but i should have spent more time with them rather than scrubbing the kitchen - ds1 keeps telling me to stop doing the dishes and sit on the floor (to play with him). it only takes 10-15mins to clean a bathroom but not when ds2 is tring to climb in the cupboard, 'help' me with the toilet brush or when the boys start fighting over a toy. i could do it all when they sleep after lunch but that's the only time i get to myself with peace and quiet.
dh has enough on his plate and i feel guilty getting him to do most of it just after baby arrives so it's also to give him a break. just need to check if she does ironing!

ariane5 · 10/01/2011 14:19

YANBU it was best thing i ever did as my 3 dc have disabilities and i have health problems and simply couldnt keep up with the housework (and couldnt physically change the beds) it has completely changed my life and i can now concentrate fully on dc hospital appointments and treatment and my own health. go for it

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