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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sick in my car!

62 replies

Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 20:38

Im a nanny, I use my own car and get paid mileage. One of my charges projectile vomited in my car...obviously I cleaned it as best as I could but I'm going to get my car valeted because of this incident.

Would I be unreasonable to ask my employer to pay or at least contribute?

OP posts:
PHANTOMnamechanger · 08/06/2015 20:40

no YWNBU

meanwhile shake bicarb all over it, leave overnight and vac off, it absorbs nasty smells

whois · 08/06/2015 20:41

Yes I think employer should pay for a valet.

MrsCs · 08/06/2015 20:44

I've got to be honest, I don't use paid childcare yet, but I'd tell you no.

Original poster
Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 20:46

Thanks for the tip phantom!

Mrs C, can I ask why?

OP posts:
PHANTOMnamechanger · 08/06/2015 20:47

really MrsC? I hope you are in the minority, most parents would be mortified someone else had had to deal with that. What about if you were giving a friends child a lift home and they were sick all over your car? would you honestly just suck it up ?

MrsCs · 08/06/2015 20:53

Well no offence but we have a cover on our seats to prevent this sort of thing. As a professional I'd have thought you'd plan for this, and my children have their own car seats. A parent giving my child a lift is a favour, I'm not paying them and expecting them to plan for such eventualities.

It is gross though and I can see why it's bothered you.

Original poster
Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 20:56

yes I maybe should have a cover on but what about the rest of the car? It wasn't just on the seats, it managed to spray quite far

OP posts:
Original poster
Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 20:58

I appreciate you giving me your views, that is what I posted here for after all.

OP posts:
MrsCs · 08/06/2015 20:59

Again, if your a nanny though, would you expect a parent to pay for extra cleaning every time this kind of mishap occurs? It would be nice if a parent offers but I think it's wrong to ask.

mileend2bermondsey · 08/06/2015 21:01

MrsCs youre being ridiculous. If the child was sick over OP's phone is that 'to be expected'? For the record neither I or any of my siblings have ever been sick in a car so Im not sure why youre painting it as some sort of predictable eventuality

MrsCs · 08/06/2015 21:02

It's not personal, it's just childcare is very expensive and I would clean that kind of mess myself in my own car. Not got a valet budget myself lol. If your employer does, I hope they opt to offer.

LikeTheShoes · 08/06/2015 21:02

I'm a nanny and use my own car, my boss pays for my car to go through the car wash every now and then (although usually with the kids inside...) and would almost certainly volunteer to pay for a valet in your situation.

I have an IKEA blanket over my seats which contains the mess a little, but I'm not going to clingfilm my car for the sake of a few hours a week! paying for a valet is much cheaper than you using their car AND they would have to clean it if you used theirs!

Original poster
Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 21:03

I feel like this is a rare occurrence, if it was something like a spilt drink or muddy shoes I would just take it as part of using my car. I suppose to me it's a bit different because it's gross bodily fluids that are going to smell for a while.

Thanks for your viewpoint

OP posts:
MrsCs · 08/06/2015 21:03

Mile, Op asked for my opinion I replied

SwearyInn · 08/06/2015 21:21

A decent parent would pay without question.

But there are, sadly, people who would disagree. They are not wrong, they are just, IMHO, mean and have not been brought up properly.

I hope your employees are decent.

MrsCs · 08/06/2015 21:24

So people who don't have the money to splash out on valet cleaning aren't 'decent'. Snobbery much lol

BarbarianMum · 08/06/2015 21:24

If you using your own car is part of your contract then I don't think you can expect reimbursement for what is, in fact, a hazard of the trade. Children puke at inopportune moments - as nanny you must know this.

Purplepoodle · 08/06/2015 21:27

I'm torn. If my childminder had my dc throw up in their car on school pick up or drop off I wouldn't offer to pay and if I was asked to pay I'd offer to go half. But then I'm skint and can't afford to even valet my own car.

PerspicaciaTick · 08/06/2015 21:29

I think it is an expected hazard...but it would be kind of the parents to help cover the cost. Out of interest, if the child walked dogshit into your car after a trip to the park would that be down to you or the parents? Probably more revolting than vomit IMO.

SwearyInn · 08/06/2015 21:30

no splashing out required - they could clean it themselves if so inclined. Decency not measured by disposable income. Any relationship, whether personal or professional will only be truly successful if both parties behave decently.

And I don't think contracts come into it, it's just simple human decency. I'd be mortified and I'd ensure the car was cleaned properly.

PHANTOMnamechanger · 08/06/2015 21:30

come on Mrs C, if these people can afford to employ a nanny, what's a few ££ for a car valet? They are much more likely to be able to afford it than the nanny herself, no?
if they appreciate a good Nanny, surely they'd want to keep on the right side of her too? and not have her refuse to use her car to ferry the DC about anywhere?
taxis usually charge extra if someone pukes, this is no different really.

MrsCs · 08/06/2015 21:35

For the record I'd be happy to offer to assist in cleaning, I just wouldn't pay a valet. For some people being able to pay childcare takes up a huge percentage of take home pay. Just because you can afford that doesn't mean you have large amounts of disposable income.

Flyinggeese21 · 08/06/2015 21:38

Thoughtful when you handed the child back to parents did you mention the incident? I'd be willing to guess most would at that point offer to pay for a valet without you having to ask.

If that has not happened then I don't think it's unreasonable to ask at all.

That's the theory anyway, in reality, personally I am terrible at asking for money and I'd just hope like mad the offer came!

Poor child and poor for the clean up task! Wine

Original poster
Thoughtfulduck · 08/06/2015 21:39

It's very interesting to read everyone's different takes on the situation!

Re: dog poo, I would probably see that as something I should've been more vigilant about, so cleaned it myself. It's gross but only a small amount can be walked in compared to the volume of vomit. There was nothing I could do to stop the puking happening, neither could the parents, but in that situation I think it boils down to who the child belongs to...obviously not everyone agrees!

OP posts:
Tanaqui · 08/06/2015 21:40

Are we talking £50 valet, or £15 in a car park? Grim for the valet guys- I think the parents should offer to clean your car, and you should get lots if covers!