Napping with a cleaner working in the house

[Anonymous]

I am pregnant and during the first trimester I frequently napped when our cleaning lady was in the house (I was also on bed rest). I just told her - I am on bed rest and I’m going to be in bed all day. I didn’t expect her to clean the room I was in.

[Anonymous]

Of course it’s fine. Agree with others to ask to clean your bedroom first, but then say you’re napping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I didn't walk around and micromanage. (For one thing, I had a preschooler to manage). The first day's tasks were tidying, laundry, and some kitchen cleaning, so I showed her where everything was, how our appliances worked, etc.

I wouldn't be comfortable leaving a stranger in my house just yet, but napping feels weird just because it's weird to sleep while someone is working and they know you're right there, asleep. Feels like bad optics.... If you leave, you might be lazing about or working or who knows, but it's not in-your-face.

What you’re doing and where you’re doing it is irrelevant (so long as it’s not running around naked or having sec or something like that)…

[Anonymous]

I have no problem taking a nap, watching TV or doing other stuff in my house when my cleaner is working. I am a SAHM and I have only had cleaners clean when I am at home.

Yes, I do give instructions to them. Mostly it is about what areas to clean first etc. My cleaner comes at 8am and many times my teens are still sleeping and do not want to be disturbed. Sometimes I am busy putting away stuff so that they can clean. Sometimes I want some specific areas cleaned and then I will ask them to skip some bedrooms etc. For example, I wanted my patio area cleaned as I had invited people over for dinner. So they skipped doing the bedrooms. I have them come weekly and by and large nothing gets too dirty and they can skip it once in a while.

I am surprised that others don't do that. Also, I pay them by the hour for some cleaning or organizing chores that are above and beyond the regular cleaning. Like cleaning the fridge, pantry, freezer, garage etc. I pay $20 an hour for that and I help and supervise the way I want to.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
Right now our arrangement is, one day while preschooler is home and one when she is in preschool. The non-preschool days don't all work for her.

It seems like the general consensus is that it's not weird or obnoxious.... Nap it is then.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How bad is it to sleep while someone is cleaning our home?
I am very pregnant - due date soon. We are very lucky to be able to have a lady come to help with "whatever I need help with" - cleaning, laundry - 2x a week. I'm a SAHM but my older one is in preschool 3x a week, which we started so I had some breaks, ability to get chores done, and time to actually go to the doctor for this pregnancy.

Lately though, I use the preschool time just to eat, sleep and don't get much else done.

If I have the cleaner come during non-preschool days, I'm managing my older child who is shy of strangers and needs constant supervision and attention. I'm working on getting her to be more self -sufficient and this lady is new so I am not comfortable leaving the house with her here yet and I still need to supervise and show her where things are kept in my house, what I need done, etc.

If she comes during a pre-school day, I lose the sleep day. But maybe I don't have to, once I establish her in her work? Or is that really bad form?

Last time she was here the lady was very solicitous. But I do look very pregnant. Perhaps she'll understand?

Why do you need to follow her around? Ridiculous! The first time she came you show her what you want done and you don't need to tell her again. I am surprised she hasn't quit with your micromanaging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem taking a nap, watching TV or doing other stuff in my house when my cleaner is working. I am a SAHM and I have only had cleaners clean when I am at home.

Yes, I do give instructions to them. Mostly it is about what areas to clean first etc. My cleaner comes at 8am and many times my teens are still sleeping and do not want to be disturbed. Sometimes I am busy putting away stuff so that they can clean. Sometimes I want some specific areas cleaned and then I will ask them to skip some bedrooms etc. For example, I wanted my patio area cleaned as I had invited people over for dinner. So they skipped doing the bedrooms. I have them come weekly and by and large nothing gets too dirty and they can skip it once in a while.

I am surprised that others don't do that. Also, I pay them by the hour for some cleaning or organizing chores that are above and beyond the regular cleaning. Like cleaning the fridge, pantry, freezer, garage etc. I pay $20 an hour for that and I help and supervise the way I want to.

$20/hr?! Cheap. I pay $50/hr and have no need to supervise or follow her. Try paying more to get competent help.

[Anonymous]

I had a similar situation when I was pregnant. I asked the cleaner to clean a certain room first and I got some things done during that time. After she was done I went and napped/relaxed in that room and she went about the rest of the house. No idea if she knew what I was doing but who cares?