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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I expect my mum to tidy my house?

428 replies

Airwaverly · 29/04/2026 15:07

Would you guys agree that this situation is weird or AIBU?

My mum provides childcare for my 5yo DD and has done since I went back to work when she was 2yo. From when I got pregnant my mum offered to take care of DD so we agreed an arrangement and I pay her 500 per month to take care of her 3 days a week. Most days she picks her up before 9am drops her to school and then collects her at 2 and watches her in my house until I finish work at 5pm (i work from home). On school holidays she has her for the full day 3 days a week. They have a lovely relationship and my mum is great with my daughter.
For the first 2 years everything was great in fact I would say my mum went above and beyond she would have the house spotless, while still taking care of a crazy toddler. However in the last year things have drastically changed my mum no longer does anything other than babysit so even though I tidy up all the breakfast stuff on my lunch break by the time I finish work at 5 the house is absolutely upside down. My daughter is 5 and is good to put things away but needs to be reminded, my mum obviously isn't reminding her as there will be lego and magnatiles strewn throughout the house along with pages of colouring and soft toys. Often my DDs school uniform will be left on the floor collecting dog hair and any snacks/drinks/coffee cups etc will just be left on the coffee table instead of being put into the dishwasher. My mums own house is immaculate and she is extremely fit she just completed her 2nd half marathon (so its not a lack of energy thing) . I find it hard to start even cooking dinner because of the mess all over the countertops. I don't know what changed and my mum is not someone who you you can talk to about these things so i wouldn't bring it up with her. I don't expect her to be a full time cleaner but even just tidy up a little bit by putting the used dishes in the dishwasher! Or am I being a spoiled brat?

OP posts:
january1244 · 07/05/2026 17:36

Rachelshair · 29/04/2026 17:27

It might well be the same cost or cheaper to put your daughter in breakfast/afterschool club, or go to a childminder. And your house would be tidy. Would your mum do school hols for you still? As that would be harder to find. I think she's being a bit lazy not even taking her coffee cup to the sink. £42 a day for a school run and 2 hours childcare is not cheap.

For a wraparound nanny, it’s almost £90 a day for that. For the school holiday days, we pay almost £170 a day. I think you have a great deal with your mum. Our nanny doesn’t load the dishwasher either, and pops the kids clothes on the floor of the utility room. We’re good with that she’s there to play

Stanthedog15 · 10/05/2026 21:41

If you want your home cleaned. Polished. And your daughter looked after. Get a cleaner.once or twice a month they will blitz the place in the meantime teach your daughter to pick up her toys or you will remove them. If they can take a toy out of a box they can pop it back.

asdbaybeeee · 11/05/2026 06:31

I would just say”we are trying to encourage dc to tidy up after herself. When she’s finished playing with something can you encourage her to put it away before she gets the next thing out”
if she ignores you I’d make alternate arrangements.

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