SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

OK, I've been a SAHM now for 18 months and despite my highest hopes (but not best efforts ), I didn't become a housecleaning dynamo as I would have liked...sigh...

My DH has been saying for the longest that we could get a cleaning lady, but I just feel like I'd be a failure in slacking on my "SAHM duties." I guess I feel like it should be *my* job although I hate it, KWIM? I feel that it would be a total defeat.

So, do you have one? Did your friends and family roll their eyes or support you?

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

I finally got one, its the greatest thing in the world

I also have 2 more kids on the way, so cleaning the tub was becoming impossible. DH is just happy that at night i'm not washing floors, I'm watching tv with him.

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

I have been a SAHM for almost 7 years.

I have had a cleaning lady for the past 4 years.

The reason we got her in the first place was because I was on bedrest when I was pregnant with #2 (Joey).

I was potty training and running after my 3 year old (at the time) Nicholas.

I was in the hospital for a WEEK on a Magnesium drip to stop the contractions, and THANK GOD it worked.

But that meant NO exertion for the rest of my pregnancy.

Now, here we are and Joey is 3.5 years old. I just CAN"T get rid of Emilia.

I told my DH that I'd get rid of HIM before I'd get rid of her.

Totally doesn't make you a failure at all. It makes you a great mom that wants to spend your time with your DC doing fun things, not dusting.

Go for it....you'll never regret it!

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I need one! I am asking DH to make it my christmas/birthday gift. I go back to work in Feb...and there is no way I can keep up with the house once I am working. I can't keep up with it now!

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I will be going back to work, but even if I was a SAHM I would LOVE to have a cleaning lady I might feel bad for one second, but it frees up so much time!

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

I put other....I had one when DD was 3 weeks old for about 6 months. We just moved and the house we moved into was a lot bigger than what we had. DS was only 15 months too. I only stopped it beecause it was getting to be expensive and I was able to juggle everything at that point.
I don't see anything wrong with it. I plan on getting my cleaning lady back when I feel we can afford it. I was paying $300 a month ($75 a week) for 3 months and then cut it back to every other month.

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

Yes, I have one. she comes once every 2 weeks and it's not enough!

When DH gets his raise, the first thing I'm asking for is upping it to once/week!

I am constantly cleaning up after the kids and I am no where near a good cleaner so thank god for the cleaning lady! I am too busy with both kids...

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

If and when I become a SAHM, I am doing everything in my power to keep mine. I would get rid of the landscaper first, or cut back on other things.

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I have one - they come every other week. I couldn't survive without them. I am good at surface cleaning - but they do the hardcore stuff that I hate!

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We got one while I was working, and we have kept her. I hate cleaning!

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I had one, got rid of her, am actively seeking another

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I am a SAHM. We have a cleaning lady that comes once a week.

I have never been a good cleaner...never will be. DH is usually in charge of that and since he works 60+ hours a week he had no problem with getting a cleaning lady.

I still do all the laundry, cooking, and taking care of the baby. I also "straighten up" daily. I pick up toys, wash down the counters, etc. I don't wash floors, windows, etc.

And I do not feel one bit guilty about it.

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

While no longer a SAHM we hired a cleaning lady when I was and it was the best decision ever!

It's too hard to keep up with a toddler AND the house! She gets things way cleaner than I ever did.

Don't feel guilty! You need time for you anyway!

ETA She comes every other week. Dh was somewhat leery of the idea, but now loves how shiny everything looks. THe only downside is the clutter sweep the night before she comes

Message edited 10/27/2008 10:34:16 AM.

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

I would LOVE a cleaning lady to come and do the floors! The whole house would be great, but for some reason it's the floors that I have the hardest time getting done as often as I'd like.

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Ill be in the miniority here and without judging anyone say that if I mentioned getting a cleaning lady the dh would keel over, my friends would literally laugh at me and I dont even want to imagine what my old fashioned SAHM herself would say about it.

I STINK at keeping the house clean. But I try to keep up with basic things. I am home all day and while sometimes I think my house should look spotless, it doesnt and I stink at a lot of aspects of being a SAHM..but I am trying my best.

I couldnt justify spending the extra money on someone to clean my house when we are struggling every day for a little extra. Plus anything we have now, has to be put away for when Megan starts school since she will have to go to private when its time if we dont leave this neighborhood.

If you are able to do it and it works for you, GO FOR IT! I am jealous but here in this family, it would never fly. I hope you get one though!!!

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I haven't had one in a long time. Right now I am in the process of trying to find one because of my pregnancy restrictions. Little does DH know that I plan to keep her!

SAHM's deserve cleaning ladies as much as anyone else. Just because you have a cleaning lady doesn't mean you aren't having to clean up every day.

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preggo with #2 i wanted to get one for the last trimester but was unsuccessful. i asked around and people who have cleaning ladies said they were not interested in taking on additional clients. i wanted to go by recommendation and had no luck. so here i am 35 weeks preggo with a house that is gross beyond belief.

my mother laughed at me when i told her i wanted to hire one, but i could care less what she thinks, i am no cleaning super hero.

after i recuperate from my section and get into some routine with the girls, i'll physically be able to clean again. not that i WANT to, but if i can figure out a way to do it expeditiously then i'll save the cash and do it on my own. if i find that all i do is cook and clean and don't have time to actually play with my girls, well then i'll reconsider one again...

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if we had the $$, DH would get one for me. Totally worth it!

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I don't have one but would not be opposed to getting one. I make myself crazy trying to keep the house spotless with two boys and two huge labs. My DH would be fine with me getting one if I really wanted it. To me it doesn't make sense because it wouldn't last very long due to my kids and dogs.

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If you can afford it and DH is on board then get one - why not?

I am a good cleaner and clean my house regularly but also have a cleaner that comes in every two weeks. I work from home and take care of DD so feel like this does help a lot.

If I ever do become a SAHM I will probably have to give her up as money will be an issue but if we had the dough then YES she could come ever week.

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My apt is so small, its nothing for me to clean....I literally do my kitchen floor with 3 clorox wipes...

If I were to ever hire one, I would not tell a soul. People already think I am lazy for sah...my mother doesn't think I am lazy, but she would not understand me getting a housekeeper.

I would never judge another SAHM.

I also luck out because DH works nights. For Josh to be in bed, DH not be home and me clean a bathroom really doesn't take anything away from my day.

If DH was home, I could see just wanting to hang with him instead of scrubbing.

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If I could afford one, I would have one!! Yes I would feel a bit weird but hell with a clean house, I'd get over it.

eta- I think sahm's need it MORE b/c the kids are home and moms are making a bigger mess then if eveyone was out at work/daycare etc...kwim? And who can clean with a child around underfoot?

Message edited 10/27/2008 11:23:09 AM.

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

I'm a sahm and I do not have a cleaning lady. Would I like one sure but I'm a little nutty when it comes to cleaning so it wouldn't work for me

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

Re: SAHMs...Can we discuss cleaning ladies?

thats a tough age your DC is at. I am sure most of your day is spent chasing after, cleaning up the little mess' , etc.

I would LOVE a cleaning lady when DD is that age, but it will never happen. I just clean now, when she naps or when DH gets home, but as she gets older and less naps, I am sure it is gonna be tough.