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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Childminder cutting the grass while childminding

83 replies

yelnats · 14/11/2011 21:24

My dd told me this evening that her Childminder was cutting the grass this afternoon while she was minding her and 4 other children under 5. Am I being unreasonable to be annoyed about this?

OP posts:
lesstalkmoreaction · 14/11/2011 22:56

Ask to see the risk assessment for cutting the lawn while supervising children, that should be interesting.

slavetofilofax · 14/11/2011 22:56

Mowing the grass could, in theory, either be considered to be neglectful and incredibly dull for the children, or it could be a fantastic learning opportunity.

There is absolutely loads that a young child could learn from the grass being cut, as long as it is handled and presented with the children in mind. Wich if it was, I would be very happy about.

If the cm was justting getting on with doing it without thinking much of the children, then it would ave been crap for them, and I would be annoyed.

Panzee · 15/11/2011 12:14

I pay the childminder to look after my child. If I wanted entertainment and 'learning opportunities' I would have chosen nursery.

As long as it's safe enough, that's ok by me.

valiumredhead · 15/11/2011 12:21

I think people might be presuming it was a big electric Flymo type mower when in fact it could be just one of those push along roller blade type things (very technical name!)

You better watch out though, she might put a load of washing on next!

shoobydoowop · 15/11/2011 12:24

YABU - not a big deal if you ask me. My ex CM used to do all sorts of errands with DS. She chatted and was teaching him all the time about everything they saw/did.

I miss her now we have moved

EdithWeston · 15/11/2011 12:28

Was she cutting it with a mower, or a scythe?

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 15/11/2011 12:32

I wouldn't have any problem with her doing something 'domestic'. If I used a CM I'd want it to be home from home not an all singing, all dancing entertainment experience.

However, I have a bit of a thing about lawns being mowed while small children are around after seeing a child who had lost his eye due to a stone being 'kicked up' by the blades, so it's a no-go for me while kids are about. However, I realise this is a little bit ott as I'm sure there are 1000's of kids who toddle around while it's being done and are just fine... but you know, when you have seen something like that, sometimes you just can't get it out of your head. It's not something that the kids are missing out on so I don't feel the need to 'get over it' in the same way I would if it was a childrens' activity.

HarryHillatemygoldfish · 15/11/2011 12:33

So you pay her what, £3 , £4 or £5 an hour? And you have got all catsarsed about her mowing the lawn?

If you want 100% attention and entertainment, pay more for a nanny or a nursery.

How mean spirited of you.

DamselInDisarray · 15/11/2011 12:33

Are you sure your CM was actually cutting the grass in November though? Young children aren't always the most reliable at relating events and it seems unlikely.

juuule · 15/11/2011 12:37

Was she mowing or just tidying up the edges (with shears?). Maybe pottering about in the garden keeping an eye on the children?

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 15/11/2011 12:41

i dont see the problem.

as a CMer she will have risked assesed this. i agree with others that the brilliant thing about using a CMer is that your child is being cared for in a home environment. which basically means things you do at home will be happening here whilst your child is there. you dont stop living at home when yor child is in the house. you carry on doing what needs done to run the house.

as for entertaining. my favourite memories of childhood are of when my dad was cutting the grass and Dsis and i would trot along behind him with our pretend mowers.

MaryPoppinsMagic · 15/11/2011 12:47

I am concerned about the safety of the kids and also the fact that she is paid to entertain/supervise them, not do household chores

so.. If a child spills something and she needs to hoover is she not to do that as she is paid to supervise the children?

duckdodgers · 15/11/2011 12:52

I am concerned about the safety of the kids and also the fact that she is paid to entertain/supervise them, not do household chores.

Whilst I am unsure regarding mowing (its difficult to ascertain childrens safety etc) I am a bit Hmm at your "shes not being paid to do household chores" - she will have them to do - you are paying her to look after your child in a home environment.

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 15/11/2011 12:53

also, i would imagine it is necessary for her to keep the grass short so that her mindees can play in the garden? my grass is very long because i dont have a lawnmower and if i were to have mindees i would need to cut i for them to play out.

she hoovers while mindees are there so that the house is clean for them so it is no different to cutting the grass so they can play in teh garden.

TroublesomeEx · 15/11/2011 13:04

My CM used to have my DD 'help' her tend the vegetable patch and dust the living room.

Is this exploitation or just the CM doing exactly what I'd have been doing had I been at home with her?

TroublesomeEx · 15/11/2011 13:06

Oh yeah, DD used to 'help' load and unload the dishwasher too. And I was paying her! Hang on a minute.....!

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/11/2011 13:08

My DS used to follow me up and down the lawn with a toy lawnmower when I was cuttting the grass.... happy memories!!! (And he still has all his toes)

SoupDragon · 15/11/2011 13:11

A child does not need to be entertained every second! They were playing in the garden not stuck in front of a DVD.

As for "safety". it's really not that easy to accidentally run over a child with a lawn mower if you have a modicum of intelligence.

seeker · 15/11/2011 13:12

Any reason that helping with household tasks isn't entertaining and educational for children?

seeker · 15/11/2011 13:12

Any reason that helping with household tasks isn't entertaining and educational for children?

Oblomov · 15/11/2011 13:14

OP, and the OP's subsequent posts , make me despair. We have a generation of mums who think that their children need to be entertained 24/7.
" I am concerned about the safety of the kids and also the fact that she is paid to entertain/supervise them, not do household chores."
Oh please. spare me. God. from pc people like this.
How do childminders BEAR this kind of nonsense, that they get from OP. I couldn't do their job.

Proudnscary · 15/11/2011 13:16

Your daughter is under five so hardly a reliable witness!

CM might have trimmed a two foot patch of grass for all you know.

Trust your instincts on this ie what is CM like with the dc, what other evidence if any do you have that she's not doing her job properly or is this a one off?

SoupDragon · 15/11/2011 13:22

Oblomov, they nod sagely when the parent has Spoken to them and promise not to do it again. Then carry on as normal.

Oblomov · 15/11/2011 16:02

Thank goodness for that, SoupDragon Grin

Ribeno · 15/11/2011 16:06

I think its a bit different to making lunch/ household task which need to be done like tidying up to make the home comfortable for the children. It's taking a bit of liberty!!

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