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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that a SAHP of school aged children really doesn't need a cleaner.

172 replies

leeds79 · 04/11/2011 10:42

I know of a few mums at school who have 2/3 dc who are school aged. Neither work but they they still have a cleaner. Obv know its their choice but it does seem crazy to me.

OP posts:
Pollykitten · 04/11/2011 11:07

And sorry, what's this preposterous idea floating about on this thread that employing a cleaner might be for the benefit of providing an income to cleaners? It's so patronizing!

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 04/11/2011 11:08

amanuensis. amanuensis. nope, no clue what that means and too lazy to check google dictionary. Grin

JeremyVile · 04/11/2011 11:09

Well nobody needs a cleaner.

Really, I dont need more than one pair of shoes. Or cotton buds, or to buy bread rather than make it. I don't need to wear make-up or go to the cinema with my pal or to watch Come Dine With Me. i don't need to say 'fucking bugger' as often as I do and I don't need to use a dishwasher...

But I don all those things cos I can and I want to. Simple really.

Clossaintjacques · 04/11/2011 11:10

I know some SAHP who not only have a cleaner but have a part time nanny to help with the school pick ups and bedtimes and still constantly moan about how busy they are! Now that gets on my nerves!
Have all the help you want but don't claim to be stressfully busy!!

BarmyBiscuit · 04/11/2011 11:10

A woman across the road for me has a cleaner even though she has a teenage son and is fairly young. Dont let it bother me and at least she is giving someone some work. She also hires a gardener to do the tiny bit of grass she has out front though and I do wonder why she doesn't get her son to do it or something. None of my business though

Thehusbandsatcricketagain · 04/11/2011 11:11

jeremyvile (fab name btw) your post made me laugh especially the sweary bit :o

SeriousWispaHabit · 04/11/2011 11:14

I have always, since we could afford it, had a cleaner. Even pre-DCs Shock

On my days off I like to do stuff that isn't cleaning the house. If I was a SAHM and had children at school and could still afford a cleaner, I would have one. I would spend my days doing stuff that isn't cleaning the house.

I also have a gardener and a nanny who does some house stuff like washing/ironing and cooking dinner sometimes. She is also going to start doing the online shop. This is all because both DH and I work, but if I could afford these things while not working I would still have them.

valiumredhead · 04/11/2011 11:15

How do you know they don't need a cleaner?

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 04/11/2011 11:15

I would love a cleaner!

I work nights so it wouldn't work for us, but wow, how much fun it would be not to have to clean any more. My house may be properly clean for once!

Really is none of your business what others do with their money op.

OTheHugeWerewolef · 04/11/2011 11:17

It's interesting how cultures differ. In some countries I believe it's considered selfish and immoral to do your own housekeeping if you can afford to pay someone else, as you're depriving someone else of the chance to earn money and support their own family.

Disclaimer: this information was gleaned from reading No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels, so may not be accurate Grin

Pootles2010 · 04/11/2011 11:19

Yes you're quite right, obviously they should get on with the drudgery of housework becase .... why exactly?

Because they're female and therefore should clean?

boschy · 04/11/2011 11:20

why is it patronising to employ a cleaner because they need the work as someone said up thread?
seems a pretty clear deal to me: I dont like cleaning and am no good at it. I can just about afford a cleaner once a week for 2 hours. my cleaner wants the work and indeed needs it to. so we both win right?

boschy · 04/11/2011 11:21

'too' not 'to'. must also learn to use capital letters

LauraShigihara · 04/11/2011 11:21

I'd love a cleaner and an ironer and a gardener and a dog-walker.

ChitChattingWithKids · 04/11/2011 11:22

Ooh, I want a cleaner too!!!!

Sigh.... hopefully in the new year I might be able to afford one. I HATE cleaning!!!

Firawla · 04/11/2011 11:26

why not if they can afford and prefer someone else to do it. i agree may be it is not a "need" but do you not ever buy anything you dont need but just want?? and isnt it good if people do get a cleaner as alot of people need the work these days?

TheScaryJessie · 04/11/2011 11:26

Amanuensis = One who is employed to take dictation or to copy manuscript.

Read more: www.answers.com/topic/amanuensis#ixzz1cjdEjKdJ

Pollykitten · 04/11/2011 11:27

I agree boschy, just the idea that it's only for the employees benefit I found v irritating - "I don't really want a cleaner, I'm just doing my bit for wealth redistribution" bleugh!

VeryLittleGravitas · 04/11/2011 11:28
schroeder · 04/11/2011 11:29

I always wanted a housekeeper like Mrs Brown in Paddington; I could then swan off whenever I liked and she would get on with it and take care of the dc.
[joy]

betterwhenthesunshines · 04/11/2011 11:33

Pollykitten "And sorry, what's this preposterous idea floating about on this thread that employing a cleaner might be for the benefit of providing an income to cleaners? It's so patronizing!"

I think my cleaner might disagree with you. I don't think she finds it patronizing. It's her job which does very well and takes very seriously. She's been with us now for 12 years.

I'd like someone to unpack and put away all the supermarket shopping and hang all the wet socks and pants up to dry.... while I'm busy doing more interesting things like deforsting the freezer

Chandon · 04/11/2011 11:34

Some people have manicures (someone else does your nails for you), or go and eat out in restaurants (someone else cooks for you) or have a cleaner (someone else cleans for you).

Everyone can spend their money how they like.

As long as the cleaner is happy to clean for an agreed amount of money...what's the problem?

Why does it bother you OP? (genuinely interested) Does people eating out (they could cook their own meal after all) or people having any kind of salon treatment (they could do it at home, themselves) bother you as well, or is it just the cleaner that bothers you?

NunTheWiser · 04/11/2011 11:35

I am a SAHM and I have a cleaner. She comes 3x a week. We can afford it and it's a job I hate doing. I find that cleaning really cuts into the time I can spend doing the important stuff like sitting on my arse on the sofa, drinking Brew, eating Biscuit and MNing.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 04/11/2011 11:39

Well, I dont NEED the millions of pair of jeans and boots I own but bloody hell, they are nice and I love em!!! If we only had what we need life would be very dull IMO :)

Bramshott · 04/11/2011 11:39

Well presumably neither do they need a car mechanic as they have plenty of time to learn to service their own cars, what with their DC being in school all day?