Do you expect babysitters to clean up?

[Anonymous]

When I was a teenager I did a ton of babysitting, and I always cleaned up any mess made by the kids while I was there and rinsed their dinner dishes etc. Now that I have kids and hire babysitters, I always come home to a huge mess--dishes everywhere, leftover pizza left out on the counter, toys everywhere. My kids aren't old enought to do dishes or put food away (though I do remind them to clean up their own toys). Are my expectations out of whack? Do I need to specifically tell the babysitter to clean up?

[Anonymous]

Some clean up without asking. Just rehire the ones who do.

[Anonymous]

I don't expect them to wash dishes etc. I do expect the toys to be picked up (and my kids must help!) and dirty dishes piled in the sink.

[Anonymous]

Not part of their job. If you want them to, pay extra for that.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the ones who try to tidy up -- like putting dishes in the sink, tidying up toys when they're done -- but it's not a dealbreaker. If she's otherwise reliable, good with my kids and responsible, I'll rehire her. It's hard enough finding good reliable babysitters.

[Anonymous]

I only expect them to return my house in approximately the same shape they found it. I prefer the babysitter make the kids clean up, but it's up to her.

Our house is sometimes messy in the morning with toys left out. I don't expect an afternoon babysitter to pick those up. It's nice if she makes the kids do it, but I don't expect it.

That being said, sometimes you have to take what you can get, especially in one-off childcare situations. There's one babysitter I have who leaves a mess like you describe sometimes, but I don't complain because my kids love her and she's often available when others aren't.

[Anonymous]

Tidy up, yes. Absolutely. Clean, no. Toys reigned in for sure. I appreciate cleared dishes and am delighted by washed ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate the ones who try to tidy up -- like putting dishes in the sink, tidying up toys when they're done -- but it's not a dealbreaker. If she's otherwise reliable, good with my kids and responsible, I'll rehire her. It's hard enough finding good reliable babysitters.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only expect them to return my house in approximately the same shape they found it. I prefer the babysitter make the kids clean up, but it's up to her.

Our house is sometimes messy in the morning with toys left out. I don't expect an afternoon babysitter to pick those up. It's nice if she makes the kids do it, but I don't expect it.

That being said, sometimes you have to take what you can get, especially in one-off childcare situations. There's one babysitter I have who leaves a mess like you describe sometimes, but I don't complain because my kids love her and she's often available when others aren't.

OP here--this is what I would like to see too. The babysitter doesn't have to clean up anything that was messy when he/she arrived. but any mess that was made while the parents are out should be cleaned up (in at least basic way).

[Anonymous]

My babysitters clean up. But I also tell them to. The first time they babysit I flat out tell them "We are giving you a clean house; we would appreciate if you give us back the same."

And they always do.

[Anonymous]

I have teen sitters for my one kid during the summer. They generally put snack or dinner dishes in the sink and its usually the same level of tidy it was when they arrived. Sometimes though, they are doing something with DD that stays out, like a marble run, or lego, or a craft project. Im ok with this being left out. I am happy they are playing with DD until I walk in the door.

[Anonymous]

Clean up messes made when they're there - yes. Like putting away toys, putting dishes in the sink, throwing away paper plates, etc.

Anything beyond that, no. If there were toys on the floor when they got there I don't expect it to be spic and span when I get home.

[Anonymous]

Our regular babysitter always tidies up after the kids go to bed. Sometimes we stay out an extra half hour so she’ll have time to do it. I would never ask her to but I always thank her profusely! But cleaning up messes made while babysitting (dishes, crumbs, if not necessarily toys) would be a requirement for me.

[Anonymous]

If the kids have been in bed for a few hours when you return, then yes, they should have time to clean/tidy up.

[Anonymous]

Are the kids awake the whole time? I am more forgiving of that. But if the kids are asleep, then she should do some basic clean up. I tell them that when explaining things and show them where to throw out food/find paper towels, say we don’t compost, etc. Clear communication is key since she may be used to different procedures at home and afraid to do it wrong!