Client assumes I will clean if I have down time. How do I handle this?

[someonestolemynick]

I've NC'd for this and will keep things as vague as possible.

Basically I'm a tutor who occasionally does childcare/babysitting. As a favour to an excisting client I took on a new client for a regular after school babysitting gig. The dc are around 10 years old so won't require constant supervision.

I have to say as babysitting goes, my rates aren't cheap. But as i don't need to prepare for babysitting, they are cheaper than my tuition fees. So I get that hiring me to sit in your house while the dc get on with stuff. I pointed that out to get, but she was happy with the fee.

I want to an initial meeting with her. All really great until the mother said: and when c happens, they'll probably just be upstairs playing, so you can do some cleaning. I didn't react at all. I think I probably looked quite put out. She proceeds to show me where she keeps different things including showing me subtly where the cleaning products are.

I know I should have said something at the time but I was incredibly stunned. I have been in this job for almost 10 years and I've never been asked to clean someone's house. Of course I tidy up (with the kids) after a session and will clean any mess when It comes up, but I am not a cleaner.

You can probably tell, that i am not happy with this. I'm actually quite offended that she would simply assume I would because
F

1. I'm doing her and an excisting client a favour.
2. I am shot at cleaning and hate it. For that reason I employ a cleaner in my own home.

So how do I deal with this?

1. Have a conversation with her stating firmly and politely that she needs to hire a cleaner, if she wants someone else to clean her house.
2. Get on with my job and wait for her to comment.
3. Tell her that my commitements have changed and I won't be able to babysit for her again.

Or am I being previous and should just clean.

Ahhh thank you so much for proving my point.

Me cutthe? What point?

You are doing a favour. You don't need this battleaxe in your life. So this is very simple. 'I'm ever so sorry, but there appears to be a misunderstanding. I am not a house cleaner and my role does not extend to household domestic duties unconnected to childcare. My apologies for any miscommunication of my role. As your expectations extend to house cleaning, it's clear I am not the right person for the job so I wish you every success in your hiring. Kind Regards, OP.'

The end.

Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

I agree with Lady, no good will come of this situation.

What she actually wants is an after-school nanny, but they've hired a babysitter? Are they paying babysitting rates or nanny rates?
Don't they want their children tutored?
Sorry OP, you must be having us on- everyone wants a tutor nowadays?

I'm with expatinscotland on this. Just say that you don't do cleaning, therefore she will need to find someone else for the job. She will struggle to do that I would think. You would be better off tutoring for those hours anyway - more money and not dependent on one employer.

This happens quite a lot with older children 10+

They can't stay alone but neither do they need a 'nanny' like younger children do

Many are happy to chill out by selves - read in their room - play on phones etc

Therefore parents dislike paying a nanny to do nothing apart from
Supervise

I had a parent who needed help in school hols and had 11yr and 13yr - she wanted house cleaned and any ironing in basket done - but best of all - someone who is green fingered and can weed

Needless to say I turned down the job

Doing a lovely job at mo - Easter hols and 11yr. She's pretty self sufficient but Obv can't stay alone 11hrs a day

I come in play games with her and take to park - national trust - get school friend over

But some days I have sat on my bum reading my book /on phone as she is upstairs and wants to chill out

Simple message woman op and say think there's been a misunderstanding and that if she wants a cleaner to use someone else

Why don't those people just hire a cleaner?

But they can't expect a tutor and a cleaner, FGS.

Don't do the job

Yep agree with the suggestion above to say "just to check, you meant clean up if the kids make a mess right? Not cleaning the bathrooms and so on?"

Babysitters don't clean. Nannies don't clean. She wants a nanny/housekeeper really (or a live out au pair). You don't want to be a nanny/housekeeper. Fine; just make it clear somehow before any resentment builds up on either side.

I really hope you made yourself very clear.

Ok, I'm fuming now.

The fisrt session was today or to be precise it still is. The plan was to have a chat with mum when she came back from work. Putting boundaries in place.

I was told she's be back between 6 and 7, I'm still at her house. She didn't feel it necessary to text me. I will get rid. I'm too old to teach a grown woman consideration.

By the way I know she's not lying injured in a ditch because she rang the house phone, spoke to one of the dc and hung up again.

Can you call her and ask her where the fuck she is? With those words?

That takes the Piss!!!

Hope she is back now !!!!

Oooh I'd love to be party to that conversation! She simply sounds like she is pretty clueless and used to taking advantage of people she employs. Or, to use a well-worn MN favourite, terribly entitled!

I knoebroughlyvwhere she is and how long it will take to get here. I just won't be back. My trip home is about an hour and a half. I'm at the other end of London as she knows.

Just got a text asking me to stay on for another 20 min. Just Grrr.

Although I'm taking some satisfaction in mn'ing while dc is reading a book and not cleaning.

What would happen if tomorrow you simply didn't show up?

I hope she is paying 100s by the hour for a 1.5 hour commute.

Just tell her you don't clean. I don't think it is that unusual though. I employ a babysitter who also irons!

When she gets back charge her double fee for the hours she was late. How dare she! Agree, run after this!

I'm not due for any more sessions until next week. I wouldn't let it out on the kid though.

I will just e-mail over the weekend to say I'm no longer available.

I do this job too, I leave the house in the same state as I find it (more or less, I'll empty the dishwasher etc but I don't hoover or do bathrooms)

She doesn't respect you or your time. Either impose a late charge of £10 per 5 mins after agreed time or never return.

Did she apologise in the text that she's running late at all?

Yay, am on my way home.I got an apology in the text a promise to be paid by bank transfer tomorrow. i was offerex to go home as she was only a few min away. Once I've been paid I will be sadlt unavailable for any further babysitting.

I had a bad feeling about this from the start. Agree She doesn't seem to have any respect for me.