(Imagine this plus dirty dishes, cat hair, and crushed cheerios everywhere)
Today, I went over to nanny a little boy that I see a few times a month. I take over any hours that the full-time nanny can’t do (Sick days, overtime, etc.). I got there just when his nap had started. The home looked like a bomb went off in it. Toys everywhere, food, cups, plates, mess. Gross. Both the mom and dad were sick and they apparently hadn’t gotten around to chasing a toddler around with a broom and Lysol wipes. The dad said “Sorry about the mess. If it doesn’t bother you, you can just leave it.” Then he left to run errands while the baby and the sick mom napped up stairs. 5 minutes in I couldn’t handle it. It bothered me. I picked up a broom and Lysol and started the process. I swept, did dishes, wiped everything down, and put the toys away before he came back 45 minutes later and caught me red handed. It went like this.
HIM: “Oh you didn’t have to.”
ME: “Oh, it’s ok. I’m a compulsive cleaner.”
HIM: “Oh, well, you know all you have to do is watch Jason, right?”
Me: “Well, yes but he is sleeping.”
He sounded distressed; like I made him feel badly about his house. I was just trying to do my job and help out. It’s not like me to be on the clock and just sit and watch divorce court for 2-3 hours when there are things to be done., regardless of if its within my “responsibilities” or not.
Was I wrong to clean? When IS it wrong to clean?!? What are the responsibilities of a part-time nanny?
HIM: “Oh you didn’t have to.”
ME: “Oh, it’s ok. I’m a compulsive cleaner.”
HIM: “Oh, well, you know all you have to do is watch Jason, right?”
Me: “Well, yes but he is sleeping.”
He sounded distressed; like I made him feel badly about his house. I was just trying to do my job and help out. It’s not like me to be on the clock and just sit and watch divorce court for 2-3 hours when there are things to be done., regardless of if its within my “responsibilities” or not.
Was I wrong to clean? When IS it wrong to clean?!? What are the responsibilities of a part-time nanny?
I think since they had been sick, it was a very nice thing but if the house is always like that, let it stay like that.
ReplyDeleteCleaning dishes and picking up can not be a bad thing.
Maybe he was afraid you were going to charge extra!!!! lol
You should put up after you cleaned. As a random stranger that just read your blog, I feel that you did the right thing. I know I would rather clean than watch Divorce Court. I would rather do ANYTHING than watch Divorce Court haha.
ReplyDelete