Finding a babysitter who not only enjoys spending time with your children but also has a knack for tidying up can feel like striking gold. While I’ve only experienced this with my mom, I’ve heard that such babysitters do exist. Imagine coming home to a spotless house after a refreshing night out—sounds wonderful, right? However, this isn't typically included in the babysitting agreement.
In most cases, babysitters are there to prioritize the care and well-being of your kids. Their main tasks include preparing snacks, engaging in games, and adhering to bedtime routines. Once the children are asleep, they might lounge on the couch, binging their favorite shows, until you return. Sure, they may tidy up after dinner and put away toys that were used during their watch, but deep cleaning your home is usually beyond their job description.
Recently, a lively discussion erupted in a parenting group I belong to when a mother sought advice from her 260,000 members about the appropriateness of asking a babysitter to do housework.
The anonymous mom shared that her college-aged daughter had started babysitting for a family, but on just the second day, her responsibilities unexpectedly expanded. She found a list of chores awaiting her, which included washing the family's dishes and cleaning up messes that predated her arrival.
This prompted a flurry of responses, with many participants agreeing that tasks beyond caring for the children should not be expected from babysitters. However, opinions varied widely, highlighting a contentious topic. With summer in full swing, it's no surprise this issue is being discussed more frequently.
In a related article by Scary Mommy, a different parent raised a similar concern. She wished for her babysitter to tackle some cleaning tasks while her kids slept. Elizabeth Narins humorously described her active toddler as a “toy tornado,” expressing her frustration at the mess. She questioned whether it was unreasonable to ask the babysitter to declutter during nap times or after bedtime, given the overwhelming amount of housework needed.
Both the expert consulted in the Scary Mommy article and the parents in the Facebook group shared a common insight: any extra responsibilities should be clearly defined in the babysitter's job description. If they weren’t initially outlined, they should be discussed directly with the babysitter.
Many commenters suggested hiring a cleaner alongside the babysitter, while others believed that the babysitter should receive additional pay for any extra work. However, some felt it was simply a matter of courtesy for a babysitter to help tidy up while the children were asleep.
While it might seem that babysitters aren’t doing much when the kids are snoozing, their presence is vital in case of emergencies. Regardless of your stance on this issue, clear communication about expectations can prevent misunderstandings in the future.
What are your thoughts—should cleaning be a part of a babysitter's duties?