Cleaner having her children whilst cleaning

[MissMatchy]

Just after some other perspectives. We have a regular cleaner, for about 8 months. She's pretty good tbf although sometimes doesn't fully do the 3 hours we pay her for. No biggie. She came round this week, and whilst she was here our ring doorbell camera notification went off a few times so I logged on to see why. It turns out someone dropped her young child off (presumably after school?) and she let them in, then they were picked up about an hour later.
She didn't check this was ok with us, nor did she mention it had happened. I'm pretty pissed off about it tbh. Surely common respect should be used here? What was the child doing whilst she was cleaning?

Bloody hell. Give someone who doesn’t have an easy life a bit of a break will you! So 1 hour of her 3 hours she obviously had an unexpected childcare issue and she dealt with it as best she could.

have you ever watched Netflix - ‘maid’ - some people are just living life trying to survive

The child was probably sat on your sofa either with a phone or watching your TV.

Yes I think it was poor form of your cleaner. Her child shouldn't have come in without your knowledge and permission, and had she asked it would have been fine for you to say no (accepting that that might mean the cleaning doesn't happen.)

You have the empathy of a raisin.

I’d expect her to mention it but other than that wouldn’t be bothered

I’m going against the grain here but I would have liked to be told beforehand. Have a word and just ask her to let you know next time - tell her it’s not a big deal but you would like to be told beforehand.

I had the same issue with someone BUT she notified me that her son had broken his arm, couldn’t attend his normal club and so was at the house. I was marginally annoyed she hadn’t asked in advance but didn’t mention that as she was clearly very stretched. ( A few months later, she did me various favours and I was very glad not to have mentioned the previous thing.)

Totally agree. Give her a break and stop with the OTT outrage over a very mild issue. Honestly it would benefit you to consider other people rather than just be absorbed with your own little 'castle'.

Life is really fucking tough for lots of people. I doubt she wanted her child there, but maybe there was no choice for her.

I’m very sympathetic to people doing tough jobs etc but my worry would be accident and liability. I know it’s unlikely but what would the position be if the child had some kind of accident? Fell downstairs or broke a glass and cut themselves? It’s one thing for the child to be dropped off a few mins before the cleaner left, but if left unsupervised??

The child was probably sat in one spot watching YouTube on a phone. The likeyhood of them having some terrible accident in your home while thier mother cleans your kitchen is very small.

Unless you live in a mansion, the mother would be close by.

Sack her I’m sure youll find a better one 🙄

As an absolute one off I’d be ok with it but id probably mention that I knew it happened and appreciate it to be discussed in future

Our cleaner sometimes brings her child here if she has an inset day or half term.
I don't mind it at all, the daughter plays with the cat or sits quietly and watches a tablet.

However, I think the difference is that we are often here when the cleaner arrives, so it doesn't feel sneaky.

I think I'd have appreciated a quick heads up text "Just to let you know, X's afterschool club cancelled so she's with me this week." However would just forget about it and not mention it.

Different if it's a baby or a child that needs a lot of supervision.

That's how I feel.

I think she should have mentioned it, but I wouldn't mind if it's occasional. I would let her know you know, just for the sake of communication, and that you'd appreciate it if she'd let you know if there's a next time.

My cleaner used to bring her daughter during school holidays. I can't imagine being so outraged about one small child being in your house . If it bothers you so much just ask her to let you know in future but don't be surprised if she looks for another job . Cleaners round here are in demand .

Why would you assume she doesnt have an easy life?

Being a cleaner isn’t usually a top sought after career. Usually people with no other options and bottom of the financial ladder

So typucal of mumsnet it would be very different if it was a man doing decorating or something .

Cleaners can charge what they want
Some do really quite well.

Would you have rather she’d left early?

I'd be much more concerned about the fact she leaves early. I've heard about this so many times with cleaners - it would drive me crazy paying them for three hours when they don't do that.

Another thread that makes me think life was simpler and more angst-free before the advent of ring doorbells.

I’d mention it to her. If it was a one off, fair enough but she should have asked first.
If she intends to do this every week then I’d tell her no and if she can’t make other arrangements then I’d be looking for a new cleaner. She can’t work and look after/be responsible for her child at the same time. She needs to have childcare.