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Baybreeze

When parents leave messes for nanny?

I have currently been helping a woman who has several kids, and a baby. They are a wonderful family and she is very kind. I just wonder, what others might think/do about someone who leaves lots of dishes piled up in sink , and full dishwasher to unload? I know I don't 'have' to do it, but I do have time when the baby naps.. but sometimes, his nap could be one hour, other times more. I have no issue doing them it's just there are about two days of dishes in the sink- would you just continue as I am, or  ?

Posted - January 27, 2017
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Responses


  • 3191
    If you did not discuss what duties your job entailed prior to taking the job, I suggest you do so now and always do so prior to accepting a position in the future.  

    For a short time, as a teen, I took care of four kids, and just out of sheer disgust and safety concerns for both the kids and myself, I began doing some clean up, as taking care of the kids allowed.  When it became clear the house was always as bad or worse each day when I got there, I quit doing so.  Soon the woman had a talk with me about not keeping the house up.  I was being paid (by the government) to care for these kids and not to clean the house.  Not only were they not appreciative, they came to expect it of me.  I quit after our little talk, but it was a valuable lesson.    
      January 27, 2017 6:39 PM MST
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  • 1138
    Thanks Bozette... wow that is REALLY unfair to leave messes like that for a caregiver and then ask YOU why isn't the house clean?? Get a  maid service then!!!! They get paid a Lot actually.. and it is not the nanny's job to clean. The thing is with me, is that I'm not there 5 days a week.. just part time. However each time I'm there there are days' worth of dishes in the sink.  I had offered to do the one child I'm there for (baby) laundry occasionally, but then I have all the children's laundry, piled high. I only did what I could a week ago but I feel liek the time they sleep is the nanny's time to break too. Granted they sleep sometimes 2 hours, but if a person in a business does not have work for nearly an hour, they get that time to do what they need in addition to lunch.. they don't get told to go fold the linens for the company and wash the floors/stack dishes ... you know? So while I don't mind sometimes, it seems like it is quite frequent. I guess I can just continue as I am but if he sleeps less, I could say I don't have a chance... ty so much for your reply :)
      January 27, 2017 6:55 PM MST
    1

  • 3191
    It is up to you, of course.  Just a heads up that any extra you do, if not technically part of your duties, often becomes expected of you.  Many will push to see how much you will do without complaint.  It sounds as if that is already happening.  
      January 27, 2017 7:23 PM MST
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  • 1138
    Yes ty Bozette. I think sometimes the parent leaves things b/c they know when you might get a break, but this is many , many dishes ... along with putting away dishwasher too. With laundry, I offered to do the little one I'm mainly with, but its all with all the other kids; so there's a ton to do. I guess I will get done what I can, b/c for dishes, I do have the extra time, it's just it is every time I'm there... most jobs won't have cleaning duties every time, just occasionally. I do enjoy her though and I know she's busy, I just have to learn HOW to say something if it becomes over the line.... ty  B  !
      January 28, 2017 10:21 AM MST
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  • 496
    I agree with Bozette, I usually like to add a few thoughts though. Your main job description is to watch the child or children. Do that and if you have time go above and do the dishes or pick up. If you don't than don't. I'd do them if I was going out of my mind with boredom. I know that it's not in your job description, I know they could expect it. But I'm a parent and I remember those times that life got crazy complicated and I was barely functioning to get it ALL done. I would have appreciated a kindness from someone. So, my thought is, you're not doing it for any other reason but to help out. Not for brownie points or for something in return, not so they expect it from you. But because your employer might just need some help sometimes. It's a good lesson in life to occasionally go above and beyond in a job. As long as there are boundaries. 
      January 27, 2017 7:42 PM MST
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  • 1138
    Yes the first two times I thought, well I know she is so busy and I don't mind doing it (normally I wouldn't even think of it at all, but this is not a few dishes or even several like I usually deal with in previous jobs) ...There are two Days worth of dishes; and it has seem to become normal that it is like that... but I enjoy our relationship, she is kind and outgoing and has seemed to be fair. the only thing is , when I watch the other kids, which I'm not there for (just little one) she does not pay extra for them. I don't know to say something or not.. b/c she is there sometimes. However most nannies are not paid based on if the parent is there/not , it is simply based on your experience and education etc.  I just know in past I've been taken advantage of and ppl have left their dinner dishes for me to do, which is the equivalent of me leaving , each time, the kids and my dishes in the sink.  I think I'll continue to do them b/c right now I do have some extra time, it's just I feel like I'm a maid almost? I do enjoy the family though and she is a kind lady so I guess I was just seeing what others also thought - ty so much dragonfly
      January 28, 2017 10:16 AM MST
    1

  • 22891
    she probably feels since shes paying you its okay to do that
      January 28, 2017 9:20 PM MST
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