Reply to Typical Nanny Duties and "Light Housework"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is a spinoff of a thread that was recently revived, but I want to be more explicit so I can make sure our agreement specifies things appropriately.

Our nanny is responsible for all things kid related -- caretaking, pickups, activities, kid laundry, kid dishes/bottles/pans, meal prep (whether defrosting BM, prepping formula, making purees or older kid food), tidying toys/kids rooms and the like.  This would also include maybe seasonally or as appropriate setting aside toys that are broken/not played with, or clothes that are outgrown, for the parents to deal with.  I think of these as "typical nanny duties" --- is that a correct assumption?

Then, in the "light housework" category, this would be things like running/emptying the dishwasher as needed (which is a combo of kids stuff and adult dishes), taking out the kitchen trash or kids bathroom trash as needed (definitely no one else's), swiffer/stick vacuum meal crumbs (that kids created, if needed), wipe countertops, wash/fold household sheets/towels (occasionally, no adult personal laundry - most likely this is a load of kitchen linens and bathroom handtowels) -- things that in the normal routine of the household keep things running smoothly.

For sake of argument - "housekeeper" duties are the weekly deep cleans, fridge clean out, mopping, vacuuming, baseboards, bedding swaps, etc....

As I've laid it out above, is that fairly typical?  Unless "light housework" is specified, and somewhat detailed with types of tasks, it becomes a point of debate down the line.  Are any of the kid-related laundry/cleaning duties a-typical and therefore things that need to be equally spelled out and detailed in the agreement?[/quote]

If that is "light" housework then what is left? You are asking her to do 80% of a housekeepers job without the pay. "Light" housekeeping would be one or two minor things like quickly wipe down the kitchen. [/quote]
Of course it's not 80% housekeeper's job.  Housekeepers vacuum and mop floors in the entire house, shine and polish the kitchen, do all laundry, clean bathrooms, sinks, toilets etc.  What is described above (other than occasional laundry) is very light housekeeping that's mostly related to cleaning up the normal messes created during the nanny's day at home with an active child - i.e. clean up after the meals, wipe countertops if they got dirty etc.  [/quote]

I'm a nanny.  The "Light Housekeeping" issue means different things to everyone, as other posters have mentioned.  Here is an example -  I don't mind cleaning up the kids dishes and keeping the kitchensink, counters, table, chairs and floor clean and ready for the next meal.  What I resent is finding crumbs and sticky messes that haven't been cleaned up and tons of dog hair under the table.  (I bet they just let the dog eat any spilled food.) Its as if the parents couldn't be bothered to keep a clean house, knowing I would do it to keep things clean and sanitary for the kids.  But they don't respect this is my work environment.  I am proud to keep a clean and tidy environment for the kids.  However, I am not a maid, and should not have to play 'catch up" after every weekend/vacation, or in some cases every morning (!!) to get the kitchen back to a functional level.  (Never mind these people have no counter space due to the amount of clutter everywhere!!  ARG!) [/quote]

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