To think my cleaner shouldn’t bring her own child to work?

[Informercera]

I’m really torn on this and would love some outside perspective.

We’ve had the same cleaner for just over a year and she’s been fantastic, reliable, thorough, really kind and trustworthy. We’ve always got on well and I genuinely like her. But over the past few weeks, since the summer holidays started, she’s been bringing her 10 year old daughter with her when she comes to clean.

Her daughter isn’t badly behaved at all. She just sits quietly on the sofa in our living room watching things on an iPad. Sometimes I hear little giggles or the sound of whatever she’s watching, but she’s not running around or causing chaos or anything like that.

Still, I’m finding it awkward. I work from home and I’m usually upstairs on Zoom calls or writing reports, and it just feels a bit strange knowing there’s a child downstairs while her mum is hoovering or mopping the floors. I don’t have children myself and I suppose I’m not used to having someone else’s in my personal space. It changes the dynamic a bit and makes it feel less like a professional service. I also can’t help worrying about the what ifs - what if something broke or she hurt herself? Would I be responsible?

I completely understand that school holidays are a nightmare for working parents and childcare is expensive. I don’t want to be unsympathetic. I haven’t said anything to her yet because I don’t want to come across as precious or unkind. But equally I’m paying for a service and this isn’t what I signed up for.

AIBU to feel uncomfortable about this and consider raising it gently with her? Or should I just let it go for a few more weeks until the holidays are over? I want to be fair but I also feel a bit blindsided. Would love to know what others think.

I’d let it go unless you find it really easy finding cleaners and really can’t stand the child there
she clearly has no other option

I would let it go. On a cleaning wage she's unlikely to be earning enough to fund childcare. And thd girl isn't distracting you or her mum. I'd ensure I had some child friendly snacks/drinks if you don't normally.

I think it’s an absolute non issue. I find it surprising that you work from home while your cleaner is there though, irrespective of whether a child is present or not. I would be getting out of the house to an alternative working space while the cleaner cracks on.

It a nightmare finding a good cleaner in my area, I would just put up with it, it's only a few more weeks after all

YABU

It’s a bit unfair on the child to be spending the summer sitting in clients houses.

childcare is extortionate, your cleaner probably can’t afford it. Be kind - the child isn’t bothering you. Maybe get some nice snacks next time she’s there

Why should she go work elsewhere!?

My current cleaner has young adult children so it isn't an issue, but my previous cleaner would bring her son sometimes in the holidays. He would have been 8-10 at the time. Similarly he would sit on the sofa and read or play a game.

Obviously it's not ideal but I really can't see why it should be an issue. You're working upstairs so presumably the child isn't disturbing you. As long as she's doing as good a job as she did before (not leaving early because the kid is there etc), I'd let it go and just consider it a bit of human kindness to a Mum who is obviously on a low income and is doing the best she can. I feel more sorry for the kid, not much fun for her.

It’s up to you - but it doesn’t sound like the service you’re paying for has changed. So tell her she can’t bring her child, she’ll quit, and you’ll find a new cleaner who might be better or might be worse.
or - don’t be a dick and recognise she’s earning very little, can’t afford childcare, and this doesn’t affect you or the cleanliness of your house at all.
you choice.

It wouldn't bother me as it is the summer holidays and the child isn't a toddler.
I'm easy going in general.

Don't be ridiculous it isn't up to the Op to provide snacks for her cleaners child the cleaner is providing a service for the Op and I agree she shouldn't be bringing her child to work.

She probably can't get a babysitter the kid is watching her iPad not harming you it isn't the issue you think it is.

How do you know she's earning very little?

But there's probably no other option for the cleaner. She doesn't seem to be causing any actual problems for the OP.

I see people working remotely all over the place eg cafes, public libraries. But maybe it depends on the work involved. Taking zoom calls in Starbucks wouldn’t be ideal.
I just can’t imagine being in the house while a cleaner tidied up my family’s mess.

If the child is sitting quietly I think I would be ok with that. I was in a similar position a few years ago but the child thought they were on a play date and expected entertainment and access to my DD's bedroom and toys. It didn't go well when I asked my cleaner not to bring the child with her after a few weeks of this.

YABU. I remember sitting in the car after school outside office blocks whilst my mum cleaned because she was a single parent and had to do multiple jobs in order to provide for me and my sisters and had no other choice. You have already said the child isn’t causing any issues, so don’t make issues for a mum that’s probably just doing all that she can to make ends meet for a few short weeks.

I think YABU

My cleaner brings her son to work as she has no other option. I always just feel really guilt about it, but she can’t afford holiday club and unfortunately I can’t afford to pay her for not coming in the holidays (ie give her paid time off). Her sister is in the UK but can’t always been childcare as she works.

If I’m working in the hols I always feel sad that my son is having a nice time in holiday club or at his Dad’s and her son has to just sit in my living room.

He’s the sweetest little boy too.

They are not from the UK and have gone home for a month now but that in itself is worrying for reasons I won’t go into here as it would be a massive derailment.

Edit - I should add my cleaner also cleans for my exh (slightly odd circumstance!) and I know my DS has played with hers sometimes when he’s been at his Dad’s. But I don’t know in advance when he’s going to be there and also I can’t really work my childcare around that.

I wouldn’t have an issue with this at all.

So would posters be just as happy if a plumber,electrician, builder also brought their child to work🤔

My cleaners have done this and I didn’t mind. I see it as women supporting women.

I’m very unclear what the issue actually is here. You are getting exactly the same service. The child is behaving beautifully. What’s the issue?

My mum also took me to her cleaning jobs in the holidays if she couldn't get a babysitter you just had to sit and be quiet which I did.

I say yanbu. This woman is a professional offering a professional service. Cleaners round here earn £20-25/hour which isn't a pittance, she needs to factor childcare into her calculations. Everyone else who works has to do that.