MB's: how would you feel about this nannies: is this a bad idea?
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Anonymous
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MB recently told me they are considering switching cleaning services due to the cleaning ladies not doing alot of the major cleaning (claiming the vacuum is broken and they can't vacuum
When it obviously isn't etc). Their cleaning ladies come in one every two weeks to do basic cleaning such as vacuum, wash windows that obviously need It, clean toliets/sinks. I am currently responsible for kid laundry, unloading dish washer if its full and any messes the kids make in my care... Which is pretty simple. Now my question is, would It be weird for me to ask if I could also take over cleaning In addition to what I already do in exchange for whatever they would pay for a cleaning service? I don't mind doing it and I'm almost certain I could do it all during the kids naptime. Mb's and nannys what do you think? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Op here: I see some spelling errors, my bad! That's what I get for posting on my phone! |
Anonymous
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I don't think it is weird, but I wouldn't do it. We have a cleaning woman who comes every other week and spends about 3-4 hours cleaning our 1100sq ft apt. (side note, I CANNOT WAIT TO MOVE IN A FEW WEEKS). I would be concerned that you would either not clean as well as I'd like (she does a really deep clean), my child would get ignored in order to do the cleaning, or that you would get burnt out trying to do it all.
Plus, I think it could be a bit awkward if there is an issue with the cleaning that I'd have to discuss with you even if you were doing an amazing job with my son. I'd rather just keep the two separated to avoid any issues. |
Anonymous
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MB here - I don't think it's weird, and I think this kind of solution can work well if everyone is comfortable with it. I think you have to be absolutely certain that you want this to be part of your responsibilities and you and MB have to agree on what is expected.
I have a nanny and a once a month cleaning service. The day the house is cleaned I get to walk in to spotless bathrooms, floors, vacuumed carpets, dusted rooms, fresh scent everywhere, etc... It's great. But I only get that once a month. One danger in taking on the housecleaning is a possible "job creep" kind of problem where you're now responsible for cleaning every day - instead of just twice a month. That might not happen, but it would be a pretty easy, unintentional result of a relationship like this. So if you want to offer/request this I would suggest spelling it out as though it were part of your initial contract. "Nanny is also responsible for housecleaning, for an additional compensation of $X per week/month. Housekeeping responsibilities are: thorough cleaning of bathrooms and kitchen every other week. Weekly vacuuming and mopping of floors. Etc... Presumably you could space what might have been done in a couple of hours by a team, over a couple of weeks and just have a schedule - this week is bathrooms, next week is floors, etc... This can be a great solution I think, as long as both parties are very clear about expectations and are comfortable w/ the relationship. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I don't think you would really deserve to receive whatever the cleaning services charged. Once every two week cleaners are more expensive because the rates factor in that its only a 4 hour job. If its a company, its factoring in overhead. A cleaning service also provides for deep cleaning not just light cleaning.
The reality is that if you can easily do this during nap time then your MB should just replace you with a nanny/housekeeper at your same rate. Not pay you extra to not sit on the couch for several hours every day. |
Anonymous
| I don't thinkit's odd to ask, but I wouldn't do it. As a pp mentioned, it cn become awkward if the parents feel like you aren't doing an adequate job. |
Anonymous
I bet you're a peach to work for. |
Anonymous
^you took the words right out of my mouth. |
Anonymous
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You could always suggest to do a trial run. But I wouldn't ask for the same rate as the housekeepers. I'd ask for slightly less.
And I think it's doable, especially if you're able to break up the cleaning into different days (ie one day during naps wipe windows, one day vacuum) On that note though -- how will you vacuum with a sleeping child? |
Anonymous
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Sorry, I had the same thought. Its one thing if you want to add on extra hours and get paid more to do cleaning. But, seriously, you have enough time and energy during nap time to do a full deep clean of the house, and you think you should be paid more to do that?
If deep cleaning isn't something you are interested in doing without extra pay (fair enough) how about talking to your employer about useful ways you can spend all that free time. Since they are, you know, paying you? |
Anonymous
| I am a MB and I would love it if our nanny offered this service. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| I am a nanny and I would NEVER take on such a tremendous amount of work, concurrent to my responsibilities as a childcare provider. As one mb pointed out, you will probably become their housekeeper everyday (not 2x a month). Major job creep. Definite path for problems, resentment, unhappiness, stress. Even if i needed the money and decided I could clean houses, I would still keep things separately and look for another family while keeping my nanny job!! |
Anonymous
| Pp here and i also agree that by offering this to your mb, you will be putting yourself in a difficult position by basically admitting you have all this free time!!!! |
Anonymous
| If you could schedule the cleaning for a weekend day when you are not caring for the child, then yes. If the child goes to a preschool for a few hours on a weekday instead, then yes. It would have to be a scheduled once every 2 weeks on a certain day with certain duties. You would have to do just as good of a job as a professional cleaner though, and still might get paid a bit less. If you were wanting to do this during naptime while on duty with child, then no. |