What is light housekeeping?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've always told our nannies that they don't need to do housekeeping other than the kids' laundry and helping tidy up after the kids. With the kids in school now, we are considering more of a hybrid nanny-housekeeper thing in order to provide more hours. When I see postings by folks offering to do "light housekeeping" what does that mean? Vacuuming, sweeping, wiping down counters, unloading dishwasher, but no scrubbing toilets or baths? Or does it mean something else?

Maybe get a housekeeper who doesn't mind the kids around.

A housekeeper won't drive the kids to activities or help with homework. A nanny/housekeeper will.

My neighbor's housekeeper is happy to pitch in to help with the kids when needed. Obviously she isn't a professional nanny.

Do you pay her for helping out?

[Anonymous]

Our nanny offered light housekeeping during the hiring process and boy, has she ever delivered. In addition to cleaning up after the children, organizing their spaces and doing their laundry, she also vacuums, wipes out the fridge and tosses expired products, cleans the BASEBOARDS (seriously...never done that in my life), takes out the trash...she's A+. Our baby does nap for several hours a day. I have the highest respect for our nanny. She just doesn't want to sit around, she wants to contribute, and we love her for it.

[Anonymous]

Light housekeeping. It means; help with light task at the house to keep it organized; pick up toys, clean up after kids, their laundry, make their beds, help to put away the dishes from dishwasher and help organize the kitchen (counters etcs).. and of course if I see the kitchen floor dirty vacuum the floor. And help to take the trash out. This is light housekeeping.

[Anonymous]

Families have had very different expectations for light housekeeping. It has differed drastically based on ages of kids and the number of hours worked. There is no one definition. Just make a job description with what you need done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny offered light housekeeping during the hiring process and boy, has she ever delivered. In addition to cleaning up after the children, organizing their spaces and doing their laundry, she also vacuums, wipes out the fridge and tosses expired products, cleans the BASEBOARDS (seriously...never done that in my life), takes out the trash...she's A+. Our baby does nap for several hours a day. I have the highest respect for our nanny. She just doesn't want to sit around, she wants to contribute, and we love her for it.

But, but--do you pay her for it with $40+ an hour? I bet not!

[Anonymous]

Vacuuming is NOT light housekeeping! Ugh!

[Anonymous]

“Light housekeeping” is something no good nanny would ever do.

Educated and experienced nannies engage and teach. They do anything and everything for the child: child’s cooking, child’s laundry, organizing and cleaning toys, keeping child’s closets and drawers updated, etc. We do for the child and not the adults in the house.

[Anonymous]

My cousin is a nanny and a retired teacher (seems to be getting more common according to this board). She would never, ever do any housework. She rears the children that parents do not want to rear themselves. Laundry? Cooking? That's up to the parents or the housekeeper.

She tells the story of one prospective employer asking her about some housekeeping. My cousin simply replied, "I have a wonderful housekeeper who has been with me for 8 years. I will be happy to refer her to you."

She makes $30/hr for 2 kids and works 8-4. Full benefits. (Health care, 3 weeks vacation, all federal holidays, sick days, etc.)

She is not in the DC area. I tell her what nannies make here and she laughs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Light housekeeping” is something no good nanny would ever do.

Educated and experienced nannies engage and teach. They do anything and everything for the child: child’s cooking, child’s laundry, organizing and cleaning toys, keeping child’s closets and drawers updated, etc. We do for the child and not the adults in the house.

You're absolutely right. Many parents nowadays want a proxy parent, housekeeper, cook, errand runner and pet sitter, all the while calling her a "nanny."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Light housekeeping” is something no good nanny would ever do.

Educated and experienced nannies engage and teach. They do anything and everything for the child: child’s cooking, child’s laundry, organizing and cleaning toys, keeping child’s closets and drawers updated, etc. We do for the child and not the adults in the house.

You're absolutely right. Many parents nowadays want a proxy parent, housekeeper, cook, errand runner and pet sitter, all the while calling her a "nanny."

If kids are in school and she’s paid appropriately, great! If they’re not in school, nope. If they don’t want to compensate for the extra work, nope.

[Anonymous]

I have been reading these nanny threads with interest the last few years. I am about to retire after 25 years of teaching elementary school (with a Master's in Reading/Language Arts) and am looking into *professional* nannying. I am learning some good guidelines from these posts.

I will make it clear I am willing to cook for the kids -- since that is a hobby of mine anyways -- but certainly no laundry or cleaning. (I, like a PP above, have a paid cleaner for my own home and don't intend to clean someone else's!)

I won't mind doing split shifts -- ex. 6-9am with 1-6pm or whatever, since that will give me time in between for my own life -- doc appmts, gym, shopping, etc. Franky i hate running errands after work in the dark and/or rush hour so having them done in the daytime is more appealing to me.

[Anonymous]

Following with interest also. My sister in law is a nanny (am referring her to this board) and works 12-8. She starts her day with pick-ups at preschool at noon 5x per week (parents do drop-off in mornings) , then makes them lunch, then activities, then dinner. Then bath and pajamas. Picks out their outfits for the next day at preschool to make it easier on the parents in the morning. Kids are in bed by the time the parents get home. Parents work late and don't get home til 8. My SIL loves these hours -- she can do her own doctor/dentist, life, without taking time off.

She does no cleaning but does put away the kids' laundry WITH the kids. . She said it's a good way to teach the kids sorting, colors, etc. She does have a bachelor's degree (Psychology) so she does get 25 an hour for 2 kids. Paid Federal holidays and 3 weeks vacation. DC suburbs. She found the job when the parents posted a notice her department at school (state school in MD) so she started right out of college.

At some point she will go to grad school (probably school counseling) but for now she is happy nannying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been reading these nanny threads with interest the last few years. I am about to retire after 25 years of teaching elementary school (with a Master's in Reading/Language Arts) and am looking into *professional* nannying. I am learning some good guidelines from these posts.

I will make it clear I am willing to cook for the kids -- since that is a hobby of mine anyways -- but certainly no laundry or cleaning. (I, like a PP above, have a paid cleaner for my own home and don't intend to clean someone else's!)

I won't mind doing split shifts -- ex. 6-9am with 1-6pm or whatever, since that will give me time in between for my own life -- doc appmts, gym, shopping, etc. Franky i hate running errands after work in the dark and/or rush hour so having them done in the daytime is more appealing to me.

You will be sought-after and well paid, PP. Do not accept split shifts or any cleaning. You can call your own shots, PP, so do not accept anything you don’t want to do (like errands).

Also consider starting with a newborn. It’s such a joy, PP, and all of your teaching experience will be a huge plus for an educated and intelligent family.