to feel awkward around cleaner?

[PizzaPlanet2]

I'm on my 4th week of maternity leave (DC is 3 weeks old today). Cleaner comes at 8am every Tuesday when I'm usually at work. I was in hospital last time she came,

I know I won't be ready to be out of the house at 8am tomorrow (and don't really want to go out to be honest).

I feel awkward though being in the house when she's cleaning. No idea why. I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Am I being silly?

I feel like this, even though she is really lovely. I think it's because I wasn't raised in an environment where people had cleaners, or gardeners etc, there's something in the back of my brain that tells me it's extravagant and lazy. I am logically aware it's not. On the odd occasion I've been at home when she comes I've said hello then said I've got work to be getting on with and not to worry about the office/smallest bedroom today. I then go and shut myself away and either get on with actual work, do some internet shopping/Mumsnet. It feels weird to sit reading or watching TV while she cleans my house.

It’s her job, she will have cleaned plenty of times before with clients in. Offer her a drink and stay in a different room to the one she’s cleaning so you’re not getting under her feet. Don’t worry about making small talk the whole time as she’ll most likely want to get on with her work.

I was a cleaner for a few years. She won’t be thinking anything other than the usual stuff we think about at work, what shall I make for dinner, DS needs to go to the GP etc etc

Just pick a spot and try and stay there, don’t feel like you have to chat to her the whole time, she just wants to get on and get home

I don't like being in the house when the cleaner is here either and would arrange not to be. Could you ask her to start coming later due to new baby?

@Alfie190 I would usually arrange not to be if I was at work. I just have no sleeping pattern at the moment so even if it was afternoon it might not make a difference. Think I'm just going to have to deal with the awkwardness for a couple of hours!

The key is just remember your cleaner isn't psychic. If you want them to start in one area first, different from another week, tell her. Otherwsie you will find yourself annoyed shes in your way and you in hers.

For me however, I would use the cleaner as a good reason to have to get up and a slight routine going. 8am aim to be up and in kitchen, living room. Then ask her to do bedrooms and bathrooms first. That way you can spend 8-9am having breakfast, dress baby in living room etc. And then by 9am shes probably ready to clean kitchen etc and you are finished in there.

With small babies, remember their routine and patterns change so often that what you do today with them, is likely to change in a few weeks anyway.

I always make our cleaner a tea/coffee on arrival also, so I don't feel bad about sitting around having one myself! plus they can help themselves anytime.
Current cleaner does 9am-12 twice a week. Sometimes im working from home the whole time so in office, other times out, other times just reading a book an hour. I don't 'feel bad' about not being rushed off my feet the entire time she's here. I often work different hours. Ie today I have worked 5am-11am, now I am free to do other stuff for today.

Same as you. You could have been 'working' ie up with baby half the night. Shes not going to assume your a lazy arse for having a few hours to chill in the morning if baby is content.