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AIBU?

to be annoyed by this?

41 replies

MissMooMoo · 11/11/2013 11:48

I am a nanny.
Today when I arrived at work both the children's playroom AND bedrooms were an absolute tip. Think every single book and toy out, milk in the play sink etc. I have just tidied up the playroom (took 2 hours) and bedrooms are next, im expecting the tidy up will be another 2 hours. Both of my charges are at school so it's not so bad that I am having to keep a little one in whilst I do it.

There was also 4 massive loads of washing to do. The washing I hung up Friday afternoon was still there so I am certain none was done all weekend. I have washed all the laundry and sorted through what is priority to hang dry. one of the children had wet the bed either last night or sat night, I am unclear when BUT the wet bed stuff was put in the laundry basket with everything else so I thought it was best I made sure to wash everything today as it was starting to smell. I made the decision to tumble dry sheets/bedding, towels and children's pants/vests/socks as there was NO room to hang everything and its wet outside.

My boss has just left for work after working from home this morning and sent me a text saying could I please not use the tumble dryer and to make sure the bedrooms are tidy because in a few hours it will be pick up time from school and then I won't have time to do then. Angry I am really annoyed! I know how to do my job. if they had done some washing over the weekend and NOT put wet wee sheets into the laundry basket I could have washed this over 2 days. Also the way the playroom and bedrooms were left this morning was ridiculous and I was hoping after and initial tidy up by me the children would help tidy the bedrooms after school (ages 6 and 4, and by help I mean easy things such as books back on the bookshelf etc.)

I really want to text back that I think its ridiculous that I cant tumble dry considering how much laundry was left! but obviously dont want to as its a one off and usually not like this.
just needed a little vent.

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Anniegetyourgun · 11/11/2013 11:53

Perhaps the tumble dryer is malfunctioning?

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MarmaladeBatkins · 11/11/2013 11:53

What?!

I didn't realise that housekeeping was in the remit of nannying! I am shocked!

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MarmaladeBatkins · 11/11/2013 11:54

I would say "Fine about the tumble dryer but as I am sure you know, there was a LOT of washing to be done today. Have washed it all for you and will leave it for you to dry how you see fit."

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HoratiaDrelincourt · 11/11/2013 11:55

That's just weird. I didn't realise people expected their nannies to be skivvies as well as childcarers.

Wet sheets dumped in with other washing in the basket is nasty, but at least the bed had been stripped Confused

I wouldn't reply. I'd be tempted to use the tumble anyway and say you'd already started by the time you got her message.

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lizzzyyliveson · 11/11/2013 11:55

Put wet washing into a pile and leave for her. "Oh, I thought you meant that you would do that later..." She is taking the piss, you are meant to be looking after the LO not being the laundry fairy!

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CoffeeTea103 · 11/11/2013 11:57

They are pigs! She is seriously taking advantage of you by expecting the cleaning to be done by you. You need to discuss with her your exact duties.yanbu

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hellsbellsmelons · 11/11/2013 11:58

I would be wanting a word when the boss gets back or when you get to see him/her next.
That is not on and they should not be telling you how to wash and dry if they couldn't even be arsed to do it.
You do need to have a chat though and set the record straight as to why you had to do this!

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Chippednailvarnish · 11/11/2013 11:59

Most nannys only do the childrens' laundry, they sound like they are taking the piss.

I'd text back and ask where the drying washing is meant to go. I also find the idea of texting Someone I've been with all morning very passive aggressive...

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Mylovelyboy · 11/11/2013 12:03

OP I feel for you. The boss/mother of the kids sounds like a complete lazy bastard to me. OK you are employed to look after the kids and probably general clear up. But please don't tell me these people cant do a bit of clearing up themselves especially at the weekend. I cannot believe they put wet wee sheets in washing. Sound like utter pigs. Hope you ok

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misspontypine · 11/11/2013 12:08

I don't think it's unreasonable to leave you stuff to do, otherwise they would be paying you to sit around mumsnetetting if there is not enough space to wash all the clothes you can't wash them, they are their clothes, do what you can, the rest is their problem.

Just do as much tidying as you can, if you can't get it all done explain that you didn't have enough time.

You might have more time if you weren't posting on mumsnet.

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struggling100 · 11/11/2013 12:11

You poor thing! It sounds really hard work.

I would text her and ask for clarification: 'Hi X. Sorry to bother you, I know you are busy! Thanks for the text about the tumble dryer. Can I just clarify please? There are 4 loads of washing to do, including some bedsheets that are wet after one of the kiddies had an accident. They are in the basket with dry laundry, and it is all starting to smell a bit. However, to get all four loads dry, I need to use the tumble dryer. Otherwise, I will only be able to dry one load a day, and I am worried this may ruin the other clothes as they will be wet for ages. Which would you prefer please? thanks and sorry for disturbing you'

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MissMooMoo · 11/11/2013 12:12

misspontytoe do you work? if so you probably have set breaks during the day. if you are a sahp then you can take a break whenever you want to. Nannies don't get a lunch break, I am sitting down with a cup of tea after sorting and tidying an entire playroom which took 2 hours!!

its really out of the ordinary for them to do this (worked here 2.5 years) so I dont know if something is up? usually they put their dirty washing straight into the washing machine and I add the children's laundry and do a load, I don't mind hanging all the family's clean laundry.
I will mention it this evening.

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WhatchaMaCalllit · 11/11/2013 12:13

Have you replied yet OP?

I would have agree with Marmalade & with Chipped on how to respond to the boss lady when she returns.

If I were a nanny I would expect that my job revolved around the care of the children and not as a housekeeper (unless that is what the job was described to you before you took it e.g. Nanny position with light housework).

If I showed up to work and all the files were all over the office and chairs all over the place I'd expect the people who left it like that to tidy up after themselves. I wouldn't be expected to tidy up after them and nor would I. I think you need to have a sit down chat and review what your nanny position entails and what your responsibilities are.

Good luck to you.

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thistlelicker · 11/11/2013 12:15

They are taking the piss!! Are these kind of tasks outlines in job description?

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struggling100 · 11/11/2013 12:16

Misspontypine - that is really harsh! The poor girl is allowed a break. It must be lonely working by herself all day.

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sherbetpips · 11/11/2013 12:17

Did they outline your cleaning and housework responsibilities when they recruited you? If not you need to define this with them as they are taking advantage. You are there to take care of the children not of them. No texting though, have a face to face chat.

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Chippednailvarnish · 11/11/2013 12:17

Maybe Misspontypine is your boss Grin

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misspontypine · 11/11/2013 12:18

I'm on maternity leave at the moment, but I have worked, mostly in fairly demanding jobs where I would be lucky to get a 20 minute break to grab some lunch, I was allowed more breaks but I loved my job so I didn't mind tge extra work.

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thistlelicker · 11/11/2013 12:19

Op according to mumsnet massive it appears u can't have a break or a rant!!

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MissMooMoo · 11/11/2013 12:21

I should have added they have a cleaner who comes 1x a week to do ironing and 1x a week to do cleaning.

when I started the job it was very full on with 2 young children at home. younger child is now at school so it is a very different job and I am leaving after Christmas (my decision not theirs)
have txt back that they seemed to have had a busy weekend and there was quite a lot of laundry to get through and that I had no choice but to tumble dry the bedding and towels.

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MarcelineTheVampireQueen · 11/11/2013 12:21

MissPontypine everyone is entitled to a break.

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TellMeWhyBuster · 11/11/2013 12:22

misspontypine: Ah, the old 'lunch is for wimps' bullshit.

OP, YANBU.

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Handbagsonnhold · 11/11/2013 12:22

Yes Op, if its unusual for them to do this speak with them....just gross them leaving the dirty bed clothes and a huge mess for you without an explanation!

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Handbagsonnhold · 11/11/2013 12:23

Ps is your tea break over....do hope u had time for a biscuit or two!!!! Wink

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ConfusedPixie · 11/11/2013 12:24

YANBU. That's not even light housework, did something happen over the weekend?

missponty: You really have no clue about nannying do you? And that was your choice not to take breaks that you were entitled to have, we don't actually get breaks as a nanny...

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