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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

aibu to expect a sorry here

50 replies

happydazed · 03/07/2013 19:13

well I probably am unreasonable but thought id rant anyway its what mumsnet is for! mindee complained of feeling sick and tired. stupid me let him go and lie in the lounge which I try and keep child free. he threw up everywhere. couch and carpets are all going to need cleaning, cushions in the bin already. there was gallons, sorry tmi! it smells terrible in there.
now its my own fault for letting him go in there and a hazard of the job etc and I hugged and comforted the poor kid while he threw up, and looked after him until mum came, but I just think mum when she arrived and saw the destruction could have acknowledged it at least. I wouldn't charge for cleaning of course my fault as I said but an offer to help or something would have softened the blow for me. its a brand new carpet . sob!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

QuintessentialOldDear · 03/07/2013 19:15

Do you not have anywhere else a poorly child can go and rest? Where would they usually nap?

NatashaBee · 03/07/2013 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

happydazed · 03/07/2013 19:19

he's 7, younger ones nap upstairs in cots. don't really have anywhere for an older child to nap.
I thought he was just tired so let him lie on the couch to get a break from the others and have a rest.

OP posts:

Original poster

happydazed · 03/07/2013 19:21

I know you are right, I'm being horribly selfish. it probably didn't occur to them, its just so destroyed in there it makes me weep!

OP posts:

minderjinx · 03/07/2013 19:22

Been there, you have my sympathy. Had my car chukky-uppied too. FWIW I think the lounge was easier to clean than the car! Now next time a child feels poorly, remember to say "Oh dear sweetheart, then you had better sit quietly here in the bath while I phone Mummy!"

QuintessentialOldDear · 03/07/2013 19:23

Poor you, but I think you should be able to claim a professional carpet clean and sofa steam clean as a business expense to offset against your profit and taxes at least?

CreatureRetorts · 03/07/2013 19:24

Would you be covered by insurance?

Original poster

happydazed · 03/07/2013 19:35

love the bath idea!
good idea about insurance too hadn't occurred to me I'll check.
although I can put it against tax , professional cleans are still quite an outlay for a little business.

OP posts:

ReetPetit · 03/07/2013 21:17

I think mum should have acknowledged it and offered assistance of some sort. if it were my child I would have been mortified and would definitely have offered help with cost of cleaning.
sick is the worst, it lingers for ever - yuck!

maybe she will offer tomorrow?

clam · 03/07/2013 21:27

If my child was ill and had thrown up of course I'd be concerned about them first and foremost, but I'd also apologise profusely and be very grateful to the person who'd dealt with the onslaught. It's second nature - or ought to be.

Mimishimi · 03/07/2013 23:54

I don't see why she should apologise but an offer to help with the cleaning or costs of getting it cleaned would have been nice of her.

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/07/2013 08:31

Downfall of your job :(

Sick is not nice

But I wouldn't expect mum to pay towards cleaning as you are se

Same as me if child is sick in my car - I get it cleaned and put it against expenses

Seb101 · 04/07/2013 08:38

I wouldn't expect a sorry no, would be nice, but wouldn't expect it.
And definately don't think she should pay towards clean up. Dealing with sick and the clean up after is a childminders job surely. It's horrible I know, but part and parcel of looking after children.

HSMMaCM · 04/07/2013 10:17

Most of my parents would say sorry I think, but I would not expect any help or money towards cleaning up.

Tanith · 04/07/2013 12:32

Op isn't looking for payment; simply an acknowledgement or a simple "Sorry" for the damage done.

Op, you will be able to claim against your insurance, provided you're covered for this kind of damage and childminder insurance packages do include it.

I once had to claim for a new sofa because a child with bowel problems exploded 4 days worth of accumulated faeces all over it after a double dose of laxative medicine. It smelled like silage in there, so I know what you mean.

The difference was that mum was mortified and couldn't stop apologising. She offered more than once to replace it.
It's all very well people saying it's part of the job, and we're self-employed. What people forget is that it's also our home, where we live. That makes it more personal and a simple acknowledgement would make all the difference.

Seb101 · 04/07/2013 13:24

Agree; an apology and acknowledgment costs nothing!

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/07/2013 14:49

true, guess a sorry wouldnt go amiss as your own home

but as a nanny i wouldnt expect mum to say sorry to me if their child was ill/been sick as its part of my job iyswim and not my sofa that will smell

Tanith · 04/07/2013 15:14

Of course not - but if a child of yours were to be sick in someone else's home? Be she a cleaner, a childminder, a bus driver, a teacher, a lawyer - shouldn't your response be the same, regardless of her job?

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/07/2013 15:15

again true :)

Mrscupcake23 · 04/07/2013 19:37

I once had a child be sick everywhere in my car. Got home and dad said he couldn't deal with sick!!! My top tip is never wind the seatbelt back in with sick on it.! It was horrible. Took weeks to get rid of the smell you have my sympathy.

looselegs · 04/07/2013 21:35

Perks of the job!!
...I've had it in the car,all the pushchairs (single,double and triple!),over my sofa,up my stairs........
Bicarbonate of soda works well!! ..(I've tried everything..)

FlipertyJibbert · 04/07/2013 21:51

Oh my goodness that sounds horrible. . I really hated dealing with my own kids sick I would hate to deal with someone else's.

I am not even squeamish - I have worked as a meat inspector in abattoirs.

I would have said sorry if I had been the Mum but I agree that she may not have been thinking straight.

CaptainSweatPants · 04/07/2013 21:53

She might come round tomorrow with or

Maryann1975 · 04/07/2013 22:49

A childminder round the corner had a child's puppy dart into her house today (it hadnt be tied up correctly). It promptly weed all over the lounge carpet, no sorry, offer to clear it up. Just a 'well it's what puppies do'. That is rude. But I also agree, if it was one of my kids who was sick at childminders I would apologise a lot, but would have been concerned about child and wanted to get them home quick so wouldn't have offered to clean it up.

I do give children who feel sick a bucket though. Every time, just in case. Feeling sick can turn to being sick in seconds, I don't take the risk.

lougle · 04/07/2013 22:54

That's horrible. He did tell you he was feeling sick, though.

Also, as others have pointed out, it's your business to look after children who may at times get sick in your care. It's probably wise to factor occasional cleaning as part of your overheads because it's unlikely to be the only time.

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