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“Am I Being Unreasonable To Think My Cleaner Shouldn’t Bring Her Own Child To Work?”
The cost of childcare can be nothing less than exorbitant, running into the thousands annually – for those who can afford it. And during the summer holidays, it can leave a serious dent in your pocket if you have to pay someone to look after your kids while you work.
But what happens to the moms who simply cannot fork out a cent for a child minder, and have no family or friends to help out? One person was left thinking about this recently when their cleaner suddenly started bringing her 10-year-old to work without permission. They want to be sympathetic and understanding but at the same time, they aren’t comfortable with the child being in their home. What should they do?
RELATED:
Many moms do the best they can for their kids with what they have available
Image credits: innasap (not the actual photo)
But when one cleaner tried to hold down a job while fulfilling her motherly duties, it didn’t go down well
Image credits: Rawpixel (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Informercera
“Let it go”: people gave their opinions, with some saying it was a non-issue
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
The cost of childcare is wild, with many American families dipping into their savings to afford it
American parents say they’re spending a whopping 22% of their household income on child care, with the average parent depleting a third of their savings on child care costs alone. That’s according to the 12th annual Care.com 2025 Cost of Care Report.
The report uses data based on feedback from 3,000 parents. And many of them said they’re buckling under the pressure. On average, parents reported paying at least $9,600 on child care costs in 2024.
“The cost of child care today has parents fighting an unrelenting battle they stand no chance in winning,” said Sean Lacey, general manager, child care, for Care.com.
“They’re being stretched beyond their limits — cutting back spending on essentials, taking on extra work or even stepping away from their careers to afford care for their kids,” Lacey added. “Parents need relief, and they need it now, or we will continue witnessing parents putting themselves into an inescapable financial ruin that, for many, could be impossible to recover from.”
To break it down, the average weekly nanny cost was around $827 in 2024, up 8% from $766 the year before. The average weekly daycare cost came in at $343, also up from the previous year. Family care center costs stood at $344 per week. That’s a 50% jump from 2023 prices. The cost of hiring a babysitter went down, with most parents saying they spent around $167 a week.
Parents who opt to send their kids to summer camp are also stretching their budget.
Day camps cost anywhere from $50 to $500 per week. While sleepaway camps in America will set you back $1,000 to $2,000. If your child is doing a camp abriad, you can expect to dig deep. Those cost around $2,000 to $5,000 per week.
Apart from child care, parents are forking out for other care costs like ageing parents or pets. The report notes that when you add in the other care expenses, the dollar amount that families spent on care costs in 2024 jumped from $9,600 to $14,400.
89% of respondents said either they or their partner/spouse had to make at least one major change to their work, life or finances to afford care last year.
Image credits: Lina Kivaka (not the actual photo)
The person later gave an update and thanked netizens for their advice
Image credits: Informercera
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What do you think ?
Phedre Parks 5 months ago
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?
Nea 5 months ago
I truly understand that I may not be comfortable with the new situation with child here. But thats on me, to continue behaving like a human I must support another woman if the child is not coming in any way in my way.
Load More Replies...
Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
I think this might be a case of not asking permission because you know the answer might be "no." Childcare is expensive. The child is not disruptive. Women have worked with children in tow forever, because often there is no other option. Be kind, give her a break, let it go. It's temporary and brief.
Ms.GB 5 months ago
That poor kid is gonna end up sitting out in her mom's car for the duration because OP doesn't want to feel awkward for 2 hours.
Load More Replies...
Ann Kapoxeet 5 months ago
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?"
Kathy Brooke 5 months ago
So I'm going to ask the Internet (presumably Reddit) for their opinion and when everyone agrees on something I'm going to do the opposite anyway. What a waste everyone's time!
Ellinor she/they/elle 5 months ago
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.
Say No to Downvoting 5 months ago
When I was young my mum had a cleaner who brought her baby along in a bouncer - she’d take the baby from room to room as she went and stop and breastfeed her when the she got hungry, or put her in a carrier on her back to go to sleep. When the baby was older she’d happily play in our yard and with our dog (we grew up in a very child-friendly and child-welcome house). I can tell you, now, I would much prefer a quiet little kiddo reading on the couch than what my current cleaner does which is spend about 40% of her time chatting away to me about everything that is wrong with her family, her health, the manager of the company and Sugar Free Red Bull while I’m trying to do my own work.
Sarah 5 months ago
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 .
Winnie the Moo 5 months ago
A little compassion goes a long way. My got, two hours a week is to much for OP? She just sits on the couch. Get over yourself OP
Annik Perrot 5 months ago
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.
Kim Shannon 5 months ago
The kid is doing absolutely no harm, and it's only short term, so I fail to see why this is a issue. DO NOT be petty and lose a great employee over this.
Phedre Parks 5 months ago
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?
Nea 5 months ago
I truly understand that I may not be comfortable with the new situation with child here. But thats on me, to continue behaving like a human I must support another woman if the child is not coming in any way in my way.
Load More Replies... Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
I think this might be a case of not asking permission because you know the answer might be "no." Childcare is expensive. The child is not disruptive. Women have worked with children in tow forever, because often there is no other option. Be kind, give her a break, let it go. It's temporary and brief.
Ms.GB 5 months ago
That poor kid is gonna end up sitting out in her mom's car for the duration because OP doesn't want to feel awkward for 2 hours.
Load More Replies... Ann Kapoxeet 5 months ago
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?"
Kathy Brooke 5 months ago
So I'm going to ask the Internet (presumably Reddit) for their opinion and when everyone agrees on something I'm going to do the opposite anyway. What a waste everyone's time!
Ellinor she/they/elle 5 months ago
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.
Say No to Downvoting 5 months ago
When I was young my mum had a cleaner who brought her baby along in a bouncer - she’d take the baby from room to room as she went and stop and breastfeed her when the she got hungry, or put her in a carrier on her back to go to sleep. When the baby was older she’d happily play in our yard and with our dog (we grew up in a very child-friendly and child-welcome house). I can tell you, now, I would much prefer a quiet little kiddo reading on the couch than what my current cleaner does which is spend about 40% of her time chatting away to me about everything that is wrong with her family, her health, the manager of the company and Sugar Free Red Bull while I’m trying to do my own work.
Sarah 5 months ago
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 .
Winnie the Moo 5 months ago
A little compassion goes a long way. My got, two hours a week is to much for OP? She just sits on the couch. Get over yourself OP
Annik Perrot 5 months ago
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.
Kim Shannon 5 months ago
The kid is doing absolutely no harm, and it's only short term, so I fail to see why this is a issue. DO NOT be petty and lose a great employee over this.
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