to get a cleaner when I only work part-time?

[scoopdewhoop]

That's it really. I want a cleaner. I work part-time and have a 4 year old at home when I'm not at work. We also have a 7 year old. My husband works full-time Mon- Fri and the odd weekend. We have a dog that makes the house messy too. I had a really busy year last with an ill parent and some of my own illness and I can't seem to get back on track!
Financially it would be a stretch but I think it would let me catch up with decluttering and redecorating that has been on the back burner. I also want to train further at work but all my days off are currently spent food shopping, cleaning or taking my 4 year old out somewhere.

Not unreasonable at all. Why would you think it is?

If you can afford it and it helps make your life easier it's a no brainer.

I'm thinking of getting a cleaner and I don't work at all.

I feel like I should be able to squeeze in the cleaning as I work 2.5 days a week.

Why would it be unreasonable? If you don’t like/don’t have time for cleaning and are happy to pay someone else to do it, get a cleaner and spend your time doing activities you prefer, and getting more sorted.

FWIW I’ve worked part time since DC were babies and have always had a 3 days a week housekeeper. They are teens now and that situation isn’t changing any time soon.

Why not do from now until end of September when youngest is settled in school?

We have a cleaner and I don’t work at all. If you want one, get one. It’s not something you need to justify.

I'm retired and have a cleaner because I hate cleaning and can afford it!

Honestly, if financially it would be a stretch and you are off 2.5 days per week I prob wouldn’t be getting a cleaner and if I did not immediately

I’d rather have the financial cushion for now and start decluttering with a view to making running the house easier.

You have a 4 year old…. honestly you can set her up with some arts and crafts or similar and clear and cupboard or two in the kitchen. She can watch a tv show for 30 mins and you can whip round the living room.
she can take her Barbie up to your room and you can go through your wardrobe and do a “fashion show” and she can help you pick what to keep and what to throw away.
you can also declutter her things with her.

The diy I appreciate is more complicated but most projects I need a day or half day for…so I feel like a cleaner for 3 hours won’t magic away a 4 year old… she’s still going to present so that’s probably a weekend job.

I’d put the money a cleaner cost aside and use it to get storage solutions and then consider get a cleaner after I’d decluttered

Agree with PP. What would you have to give up or cut back on to make it feasible? I would focus on decluttering first

I think an extra day in nursery would be a better investment.

I had a cleaner when I didn’t work at all

I'm completely in favour of people getting a cleaner if they want one and it's affordable - but will it actually solve your shorter term problems?

Would it actually give you the time to sort out the decluttering and diy that you can't get done without your DD being around? TBH, I'd sort out the decluttering first - it's easier to keep a decluttered house tidy and clean. Could you stretch to an extra day or half day of nursery (if a place was available)? Ask grandparents to have DD for a weekend and do a blitz with DH?

Then think about a cleaner.

Totally not unreasonable. We have a cleaner and I only work three days a week.

I got a cleaner in August and it's the best thing I've done. I have a small house and she comes fortnightly so it only costs me £60 a month. I don't do other things like Sky TV, get my nails done or hello fresh etc, which would be more expensive than my cleaner. Look at your priorities and see if it's manageable for your family.

It means my time off is freed up a bit and I've been able to get on top of some other stuff like organising cupboards and prioritising exercise and socialising. It's made me and dp so much happier that the house is clean, tidy and organised and we don't have the negotiation over whose turn it is to do various jobs.

Obviously I still have to do a bit of cleaning in-between cleaner visits.

My friend is a SAHM to three children of school age and she has a cleaner because she says she’s too busy! If you can afford it and you feel like you need one to easy the load then why not! I’m very jealous I’d love a cleaner

It's weird how you feel the need to justify getting a cleaner. If you can afford one, get one. How much, how little, or if you work at all is irrelevant and nobody's business. If you think having a cleaner will benefit you, get one.

You earn money. You choose how to spend it. Get a cleaner. All the emotional load you're carrying is exhausting and time consuming.
Definitely get yourself a cleaner to spend your valuable but limited time on your own priorities

Do you opt to never have a takeaway either because you work 2.5 days and have time to cook?

If you think it will improve your life, and you can afford it without losing money for things you need, go for it. I’ve had a cleaner the last year while on maternity leave so home all the time effectively, I’m back to work 3 days a week and will still have a cleaner. I find keeping on top of it impossible, I don’t love doing it, and I can afford it, so why not?

I have time, no children, and a small 2-bed flat. Getting a cleaner was the best thing I ever did and do not plan on looking back. Outsourcing is LUXURIOUS...

@FIuffy LOL 😂

For who? I’d rather pay a cleaner and have the time with my kids than pay someone else to look after my kids so I can clean.

You can have a cleaner and nanny even if you didn't work. They want a job and you can pay. Win win.

Unreasonable? No. However if its financially a stretch then I would really consider if it is worth it. If yes, the go for it. Not sure how it will help with finding time for decluttering and redecorating. But you can have a cleaner a few times to see if it is worth it

I would normally have said go for it but lately I've been a bit concerned that the high demand nowadays boosts prices meaning people that genuinely need one can't afford one.