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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask them to put the bloody heating on!!

38 replies

Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:24

I know it’s only October, but the family I babysit for have the coldest house I’ve ever been in. Even in summer I almost freeze to death. Tonight I’m here 6-midnight ish and I have a jumper, jacket and fluffy socks and I’m sat shivering and don’t think I’ll survive till 12 (haha) Sad

WIBU to mention this to them?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 25/10/2019 19:33

No I dont think you are. I judge when to put heating on by the weather not what month it is. Today it hasn't gone above about 7 degrees so heating has been on

CottonSock · 25/10/2019 19:34

I'd ask. Sounds horrible

Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:35

I understand some people try and not put it on till November as that was my plan originally but I caved. I babysit a lot so I know it will be an on going problem if I don’t mention it Confused

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/10/2019 19:36

Maybe they assume you will just turn the heating on? Where's the controls?

Majorcollywobble · 25/10/2019 19:38

You could make your point by getting a spare duvet from upstairs as you check on the child/ren - hope they aren’t suffering from hypothermia too ?

Aquamarine1029 · 25/10/2019 19:40

What's the temp inside the house?

Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:41

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I can’t even find the controls, but I doubt I’d dare anyway without asking them. Maybe I’ll just bring a hot water bottle next time!

@majorcolleywobble that’s a good idea. I have a small, thin, scratchy blanket I found behind the sofa atm Hmm both children are still awake as they have ridiculous bedtimes but who am I to argue.

OP posts:
RolytheRhino · 25/10/2019 19:41

Depends. What's the temperature there? Have they got a thermostat you can read?

RolytheRhino · 25/10/2019 19:42

Are the kids cold?

Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:43

@RolytheRhino not sure of the temp tbh! And can’t find any controls or thermostat. It doesn’t help the house is all wooden floors and leather sofas.

OP posts:
Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:43

@RolytheRhino the 3 year old says no, but she’s probably used to it!

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/10/2019 19:45

We have a very cold house (16 degrees in winter) but always turn the heating up for babysitters, and show them the thermostat. Definitely mention it.

Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:45

@JesusInTheCabbageVan thanks! Would hate for them to think I’m being rude

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/10/2019 19:50

Genny had to have a quick look round the room to make sure you're not at my house Grin We have nice blankets though.

Original poster
Genny120 · 25/10/2019 19:53

@JesusInTheCabbageVan do you prefer a cold house or do you do it to save money? Genuinely curious. I try and not resort to heating every night but I always end up caving!

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/10/2019 19:56

A combination of money and environmental reasons. I've got used to it (helps that the house I grew up in was also freezing!

RolytheRhino · 25/10/2019 19:56

Some people are 'nesh' as my mum would say, and feel the cold more than others. Are you like that?

scoobyd2 · 25/10/2019 19:59

Mention it, they may just be used to it and forget it doesn't work for others. I have my own self-imposed rule of no heating before November, because I only have electric and the bill is astronomical if I turn heaters on too early. But there is only me here, and this week I had a stern talk with myself, and won the argument - my fire is on right now and I am toasty warm and happy. Your family might have some kind of similar rule and just not realise it means visitors (and babysitters!) suffer.

pollyputthepastaon · 25/10/2019 20:07

We have an old stone 130 year old house. We don’t have the heating on. We wear jumpers and use hot water bottles. We are all fine it’s not that cold. I think people that live in new build well insulated houses have got soft Grin and then it’s a shock to them in a different house.

Fink · 25/10/2019 20:11

I would definitely bring a hot water bottle next time. I keep one in work anyway. And my own blanket. Luckily I have an office to myself so not a problem.

Basketofkittens · 25/10/2019 20:13

My flat is 230 years old and the hearing is on 22C currently and it’s nice and warm! Having the heating on also prevents damp problems.

mamapants · 25/10/2019 20:20

I think I'd just bring a hot water bottle and massive blanket and hope they took the hint.

InsertFunnyUsername · 25/10/2019 20:26

My house is donkey years old and does not hold the heat in. It would be miserable without any sort of heating, By November you can see your breath and toes are frozen first thing in the morning. I would say something!

FrangipaniBlue · 25/10/2019 20:27

I think they may not even realise that it's cold to you because we get acclimatised to our own environments.

Our heating never goes above 15/16 degrees.

But SIL doesn't let hers go below 23/25 - she refuses to take her coat off when she comes round and I can't bare being in her house more than half an hour Grin

GeneHuntLover · 25/10/2019 20:30

So what if she's 'nesh', she shouldn't have to sit in the cold. I really feel the cold now having lost a lot of weight, I've got a blanket and the thermostat is set to 22. Very many draughts in this house though so it takes a while to heat up

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