Do you do housework while you are minding?

[StrawberryMartini]

I obviously don't mean scrubbing the bathroom floor but is it ok to potter about the house - preparing our evening meal, emptying the dishwasher etc, or should I be such a professional cm that all these things are done when I'm not minding?

I'm feeling guilty that I'm not occupying my new mindee 100% of the time even though I've given him plenty of options - sometimes he wanders aimlessly around the house! Is this normal?!

[looneytune]

I don't do 'houswork' as such but I do unload the dishwasher and re-load (have to to make room to prepare food for the kids!), I also prepare meals during CMing time as I feed the mindees 3 days of the week. I must admit I leave ds's dinner until after mindees have gone on a Thurs/Fri because I'm not cooking for mindees and for some reason feel bad about that. I have prepared things in the slow cooking for me and dh to have for dinner on occasion but that's when baby has been sleeping and no others here. The idea of childminding is to be in a homely environment and I'm sure mindees parents can't entertain him 100% of the time.

By the way, I've just remembered I need to reply to your message - will do that now

[KaySamuels]

I will wash pots, sweep under dining table, etc when baby mindee is sleeping during the day (only have him and ds during school time). Anything else waits until kids are gone, or before they get here I will hang washing out. Usually have a tidy up time before pick ups too and get the kids to help me put toys away.

[MaureenMLove]

We put the washing on. Its part of family life imho and that's why the parents chose cm over nursery! There's a whole host of educational conversations you can have with washing! We sort all the toys and wash them too, as part of learning. Usually it means there are bubbles and wet children all over the place, but we have fun. I don't do the dishwasher, but thats only because its DD's job! It runs before the mindees arrive and I just stack it all up during the day, ready for dd to come home from school.
Since I start really early most mornings (6.15) I have a run around with a duster whilst I'm waiting for them to arrive and if they have a nap upstairs, I do the bathroom. I've done it all today actually, with the exception of the hoovering, which I will do once they've all gone home.

[hennipenni]

I generally clean only what mess has been made by mindees. Dishwasher is unloaded the night before and washing is usually hung out before they arrive. If and when all children in my care are asleep at the same time (very,very,very rare) then I might do something like clean the bathroom or prepare our dinner.

[saltire]

I used to wash dishes up with mindees in the kitchen, and we would put washing in and they would come into garden with me to "help" hang it out. if they were sleeping during the afternoon I would clean up the bathroom, tidy toys, maybe dust etc. But I never did what I call proper housework when they were with me

[ayla99]

I think most parents wouldn't object to "cleaning up as you go" approach - after all we have to provide a clean hygienic environment for their children. I load/unload dishwasher (got a slimline dishwasher so it doesn't hold much) & washing machine and I have to hoover up after meals.

I wouldn't do my weekly shop, ironing (except hama beads!)or that sort of thing while minding.

I think you need to sit back & let the mindees learn to self-select/amuse themselves from time to time anyway so don't feel guilty about fitting in the occasional chores as you go.

[ThePrisoner]

I only do childminding-related "housework" (usually just cleaning up after lunch). We might buy bread and milk from local shop, or walk to local bottle bank, but that's basically it.

Unfortunately, I know childminders who continue running their homes as if there were no minded children there at all - all the washing, ironing, weekly shop etc.

[PinkChick]

i was so scared i was gunn abe labeled a bad cm when i first started if i did anyththing around house!..silly mare..
if mindees make mess i clean it up/hoover it up/scrape it up, we put washing out together and they help me put the wash on occasionally if its not on when they come/ive put another load in(pouring conditioner in, put tabs in drum), i stack D.W as we go and sometimes if all is calm, unstack, if they sleep i have been known to polish/dust/clean bathroom but mainly MN, which DOESNT help my house

[chankins]

I tidy as I go along - mainly the toys and activities we have done. Do bits of washing up because worry parents won't like seeing a messy smelly kitchen! Do the washing and hang it out, mindees like helping, because if I didn't we would never have any clothes to wear! You have to do odd bits to keep the place looking safe and hygenic - you obviously wouldn't go cleaning the bathroom or hoovering.

[StrawberryMartini]

Thanks girls, don't feel so bad now - felt bad popping into Sainsburys the other day but he loved it - counting out carrots etc so that is v educational and fun! (If slightly tedious).

[scienceteacher]

Not a childminder, but a former client ...

The key thing for me, when I had my kids with a childminder, was that they lived as close to a 'normal' lifestyle as possible. That meant that having to keep up with household duties were pretty much expected, because they are a normal part of life.

I don't think it is particularly healthy for young children to be constantly entertained or attended to. They do not need to be the centre of attention every minute of their day. They need to know that there are other priorities in life.

[StrawberryMartini]

OK so can I watch Neighbours then?

[PinkChick]

are they asleep?..then yes

[loveheart77]

i have been a cm for 3 years now i tend to let the children help me tidy up eg they help to hoover,put the dirty pots in the kitchen,bring the washing outside i make it fun for them plus it helps me out to