To ask them to put the bloody heating on!!

[Genny120]

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)

WIBU to mention this to them?

I put the heating on now for about two hours in the afternoon and then on for two hours before my kids go to bed. It is then on again an hour before we wake up. So probably about
5-6 hours and that is because it is colder where we live now and my kids are forever taking their socks and slippers off. My in laws leave it on all day, their bills must be astronomical but they are older and do not dress appropriately for the weather. I would definitely ask if they can turn on the heating before you start work.

My heating, like most, is on a thermostat. Always at least 18C, 24/7 all year round. But I turn it up to 22C if me or kids feel cold at all.
I will never understand why people don't use it or worse, brag about not turning it on at all until mid winter. It's not that expensive.
Actually one of my smaller bills!

I'd say you won't babysit unless they give you a fair temperature to work in. It's the law you could sue them for unfit workplace conditions ! (Ha) ☺

Our house is naturally quite chilly and we’re all used to it but I put the heating on for visitors, be they child or adult. Horrible to think someone would be uncomfortable.

Text them & ask!

You need a plug in heated throw!

This will be me next time

I went to a friend's for dinner last week. Her house was so cold I ended up making my excuses and leaving early as I couldn't bear it any longer.

We have had sleet on the hills near us today so I hope she's turned it on now.

They’re probably used to that temperature but if they’re nice people they’d probably be horrified to know that you’re sitting there shivering. Make sure you still have your jacket on when they get in and chatter your teeth a bit and if they still don’t get the hint you are going to have to tell them.

Temperature is such a subjective thing. I find it very difficult to be in houses where it is constantly 20℃+ as it feels excessive and stuffy to me (not to mention environmental implications of maintaining such temperatures in most houses), but many find that an acceptable minimum temperature!

Not putting the heating on isn't just about people or animals being cold though. If the house is always cold, damp will start. No one wants damp, the heating needs to be on sometimes. I have mine on tonight, it's 4 degrees here right now and will be 1 degree overnight. I turn the heating off before I go to bed but then me, DH and DS are under the covers then all warm and the house has been heated so no damp to worry about. I wonder how people dry their clothes with no heating on! I hang mine up on a clothes horse and if the heating isn't on it takes days to dry.

So what if she's 'nesh', she shouldn't have to sit in the cold.

Is it actually cold though? If she's just being overly sensitive to it and it's not actually cold by workplace standards, I'd say she needs to equip herself to ensure she's comfortable next time and shiver this time tbh. I've worked in an office with a blanket on my knees, but accept that was due to my preferences rather than an unsuitable working environment.

Just make sure when they come home you’ve got yourself cuddled up in their duvet - cosy- job done

I babysit often but they're always so nice say hello yourself to whatever and let me know where the thermostat etc is.

I'd be tempted to take an electric blanket and definitely would bring a blanket and hot water bottle!!!

Heating hasn't gone on here yet. It's about 16C indoors and I sit under a blanket on the sofa in the evenings. Indeed, I'm still using my summer duvet, though I'm starting to think about changing it for the autumn / spring one.

It's really not that cold yet!