“Am I Being Unreasonable To Think My Cleaner Shouldn’t Bring Her Own Child To Work?”

Sorry I'm late to the party here. I don't usually post an opinion, but in this case, seriously WTF? I will start by saying I work from home and do not have children, so I understand the change in atmosphere. But dang, what kind of world did you grow up in that would trigger any sort of unease in this situation? Given the specifics you have provided regarding the quality of service from mom and good manners of the child, you would have to be a cold c**t to even feel a fraction of the unease you are expressing. Ask yourself, is it the kid that's bothering you or having the reality of other people's less fortunate situations in your face?

Aside from feeling sad for the poor kid, I can't imagine why someone would care. It's better than her sitting at home alone. Why can't people realize that today's kids are everyone's future? If this kid ends up struggling, it affects all of us. Just think of how much more complicated she could make this woman's life. Why? Cuz she feels "awkward?"

It's fully normal to be taken aback, especially since the cleaner did not warn or asked OP before bring her daughter. But if the child is truly well behaved and don't cause issues (beside the ipad noise but that can be settles with earphones) then I think that asking the cleaner to stop would be perceived as rude. But boundaries DO need to be put in place, OP is still paying for that service and it is still their home.

Compassion and kindness. Do you really think the mother wants this for her child? It’s called making ends meet and doing the best you can with limited means. Buy some yoghurts/ cheese straws— whatever kids eat. Plump her on comfie sofa to watch a film.. with glass of milk and just make life nice for everyone .

My parents' cleaner occasionally brought her daughter with her. She was 2 years older than I was. My brother and I were glad to have a playmate, and we became friends, of sort, since we didn't meet too often. My advice would be to be kind and understanding, unless the kid is too disruptive.

So OP asked for advice, then ignores the general consensus cos it doesn't fit her preferred narrative? Sounds about right 🙄

when my mom went to clean during all my childhood I will always go with her and wait while drawing my book or whatever. nobody ever cared.

Does the cleaner or her company have insurance on the child if she is injured in your home? What if she pulls a TV off the stand on herself? You going to get sued?

sfgothgirl

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To the commenter who said (I'm looking at you likeafishneedsabike) that OP, who works from home, should find an alternative workspace when the cleaner comes, I say what the fūçk?! If I hire a cleaner it's to make my life easier and I'm sure as shìt not leaving my own workspace/HOME when the cleaner comes as that would be a pain in the @ss. It's hard enough to get started working as it is, and you want me to take my a*s somewhere else, start working, then go back home and then start working again? That would just be a waste of 3 hours. Dude, I see something shiny? Distracted. Squirrel?! Distracted. Shiny squirrel? DISTRACTED!

"I'm paying for a professional service." Are you, though? Methinks if you did, they would be able to afford childcare.

It depends whether you employ your cleaner directly, or through a cleaning service. If it's through a service, you can raise it with them, due to the various liability issues. Otherwise, go introduce yourself to the kid, tell them that you WFH and thanks for being so quiet, and gift them a pair of cheap headphones. Their summer sucks, and they're probrably feeling selfconcious and know they're not welcome and need to be on their best behaviour.

omg Karen...2 hours? really? entitlement at it's best!

the person my parents have come once a week to clean, when Public school is out, she brings her granddaughter with her (bc she watches her, when he daughter works). Literally plops than 10 year old in a chair with a phone, snacks and a drink, and cleans. Everything works out.

I think the cleaner should have asked first so they could discuss liability etc. However, assuming that's taken care of... if the kid is well-behaved and quiet, and the cleaner is nice, reliable, good at their job and that doesn't change with the kid being there, I can't see what the issue is with having a kid downstairs -- not in your face -- in your house. You'd be doing your cleaner a massive favour (and if she's worth it, then do her a favour!) and it costs you nothing. Hell, I'm your introvert poster child, fiercely value my personal space and have a single story unit and work from my dining table, but I wouldn't mind a kid like the cleaner's kid sitting on the sofa (about three metres away from me) if they're just chilling on their iPad for a few hours.

The maid should have asked about bringing her daughter with her. She sounds like a great kid. She sits quietly and doesn't bother anything while her mother is working. I'm on both sides of the situation. I work from home as a medical scheduler & when I started working from home I had to tell my son several times to turn the TV down on his days off. He always has it a lot louder than I do. Like right now I have the volume on 16, he will put it close to if not over 30. He gets wax buildup in his ears and will turn it down some after getting it cleaned out but still louder than me.

I disagree here. You shouldn't bring your kid to work, especially without asking and into the client's home.

I'm with the OP unlike many. I would be Deeply concerned and unhappy with this situation. I have had Two carers bring children into my house uninvited and without asking first, when they were 'caring' for me. That's my Home, my Privacy, my items (the girl broke one which years later remains broken and unrepairable). Also too my Body on display when the carer applied the creams for me. I don't expect the electrician or nurses to bring their child to my house, so why would I expect the cleaner too or in my own case the carers??? In the 70s my mum cleaned in an care home, I had to sit in the dark hall there and read a book. 45 years on, I still remember how awful it was. It is the OPs home. The cleaner SHOULD have asked. What if the child gets injured Or breaks something? It's not on. I'm paying Them, I'm not a free childminder when I'm already incredibly poorly. And financially both of those carers were better off than me, both had regular holidays abroad, outings, mod cons, clothes from

Then pay for a service through a licensed bonded company for $30+ an hour vs under the table.

This might be cultural but why in the f*k is no one questioning why the mother is bringing her child to work with her? She doesn't know the poster, she doesn't know is once a month OP likes to dance naked in her living room or has random men in and out, she doesn't know what OP does on that couch. This to me is absolutely ridiculous, I have been a cleaner and never in my wildest moment would think to expose my child to that. Maybe the rate of crime in my country makes me paranoid as hell but what in the actual f*k is this woman thinking and I'm certain there is laws against this, also OP can accuse that child of stealing or breaking things and there will be absolutely nothing the mother can do to defend her child, this is just a horrendous idea.

White people problems

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Get a new cleaner. You shouldn't be forced to feel awkward in your own home.

The people saying she should have some kid friendly snacks need their head examined. Why should the employer supple snacks to an EMPLOYEES child. Because this is an employee. Working poor. STILL an employee. Single Mom. Still an employee. It is not the employers responsibility to accommodate an EMPLOYEES child. She is there to provide a service. If she wanted to bring her child she should have asked her EMPLOYERS permission. Besides where does it say she is a single mother or poor ? Cleaners who are independent and set their own prices and hours can made good money. Where does it say she works for an agency for a low.wage. We have no idea if comes from a 1 or 2 income home. AND , To the bubble head who said the employer should leave and work elsewhere to give the cleaner space to work. Do you have any life experience at all ? Why the fu*k would the employer leave her work space, where she works every day. To give a cleaner some space. Why do so many people lack basic common sense.