Do I need a housekeeper?

Question

My husband wants me to get a housekeeper because he thinks it would free up more of my time to pursue my business. I have two small children under the age of 3 and I'm not sure a housekeeper is what I need. My house is not dirty but it could be more organized. Basically we have too much stuff for the size of house we are in. We are building a new house to help out with this but in the meantime it's frustrating. How can I explain to him that a housekeeper does not organize what you need and what you don't need etc. they just clean the house. Or am I wrong?

Answer 1

You have to ask yourself which would be a better help to you, having someone watch the children, so you can do your own organizing-then you hire a babysitter and go thru your own belongings. Or, do you want to watch the children yourself and let someone else Glen thru your belongings? Then you hire a housekeeper, just make sure you ask the service to send you someone who can help you organize things, not just someone to clean toilets and mop floors. Enjoy the fact that your husband wants to get you some help. Most men think their wives can do it all and don't need help. You've got yourself a good one. Don't take it as an insult of your abilities-take it as the gift it is.
Good luck in your new home, Kimmie

Answer 2

For the most part a housekeeper cleans or may cook and clean.
You can hire anyone you choose, to pretty much do anything you desire. If you want one who will take care of children too, it may cost a little more but be well worth it. It would not hurt if you took care of your business and hired someone to take over your household chores including any shopping and/or errands and let them organize everything for you too. Once everything has a place and you know where that is, you should be more comfortabe and more efficient in your own home. You could start now while your house is being built and keep the person you hire on hand until after you have moved and become settled at your new residence. It may even turn out that your business booms so much as a result, that you will want to keep the help on as part of the system. When you place the ad, do it through an agency rather than the newspaper. That way you can specify exactly what you want done and only people who are qualified will be given the number for an interview. Sometimes when a person is new to hiring domestic help, they may feel a little uncomfortable with a stranger in the house but if they have a good track record and are bonded that is what will ease the mind. People who are bonded cannot be past felons. Also when they are bonded by an insurance co that company is liable if the person breaks or steals anything. Be sure to verify all references, since just because a person is bondable, that does not mean they do a good job or even have real organizational or any household skills. Check with their former employers to see what they are good at and if they fall short anywhere. If you strike it lucky you may even be able to find someone who answers your phone appropriately and can make appointments or whatever else you might need for your business. You have alot going on in your life, take a deep breath, tackle one thing at a time, and don't let any of it overwhelm you. Remember to schedule time for yourself as well, if only to relax in a hot bath now and then and to enjoy a peaceful coffee break. After hubby's beautiful suggestion, I would also make sure I made some special time for him!! Best wishes. Oh yes, and if you find costs too prohibitive, consider hiring someone only part time.
If you have an unemployed friend think very carefully before hiring her because it could stretch a friendship forever out of shape. Relatives who are retired or unemployed could be a consideration but remember they must be qualified too, and someone you can work with. If after awhile you feel the extra help is unnecessary at least you will have given it a good try. I would do 2 other things too if you decide to try employing help, first in this day and age, would be to make sure the woman is alot older than your husband. I am not infering he would be interested in anyone else, but noone can speak for her, and secondly, I would let her know that the job may only last until you are all more settled. May is the key word, since you may reach a point too where you wonder how you could have done without the extra time and skills the person you employ brings to your home!

Answer 3

As a former housekeeper, myself, I did organization if my client wanted it. However some housekeepers don't do that... so you have to really look around and ask.

However, if you are spending time cleaning... and not being able to get to the organization, a housekeeper will be able to free you up from the cleaning so you can concentrate that time on organization instead.

However it goes, a housekeeper will free up alot of time for you so you can do the things you'd RATHER be doing... maybe spend a little more time with the kids? :)

Good luck! If I lived by ya... I would love to help ya out! ;)

Answer 4

I have a housekeeper come in once a week. One benefit is that once a week I have to put everything away in preparation for her visit. It's a good way to force me to do that. But if I had too much stuff, I'd have a different problem.

Can you get rid of stuff? Put it in a basement or garage, or in storage? Can a bunch of the toys be put in big trash bags and stashed away? Since you have a new house in the works, it would only be temporary, so you might be more willing to forego things.

An organizer would first encourage you to throw and give things away. Then she/he would insist on every item in your home having its own place, so things could actually be put away. These two things combined would make it easier to tidy up and keep things tidy.

Every parent I know lives with clutter. It's just part of having kids. You need less stuff or more storage... there's no other way.

Answer 5

No, you're right about housekeepers not organizing. All housekeepers are supposed to do is clean, unless you have some kind of private arrangement to go above the usual duties.

Now, if you were to hire someone to clean and babysit, that might be another matter. But it would also be a bit pricy, so you'll have to decide if it's worth it.

Answer 6

I have I cleaning service that comes in twice per week. It use to be just once per week , but the more our boys get into new activities, the less we want to miss & although I can do most of the work my self, it is nice to have them come in & do the vaccuming, windows, etc. It's not like I have them do the laundry, dishes. They just do a MAJOR cleaning, which only lasts until our boys (10, 8, 5), come in.
If it would make your husband feel like he is helping you achieve your goals & helping to ease a burden he feels you have, allow it, but explain that it would be MORE help to you AFTER you move into your new home.

Answer 7

All good answers and your situation is clearly distressing to you. It seems your husband knows you best. Please don't spend anymore time on this. Pick up a phone and hire someone already, as you have the luxuryof being able to afford this option. The reason you have a problem in the first place is because you wallow instead of act. So, act. Then, go out and live the best life you can and be deserving of the life you get.

Answer 8

You are right, but there are people you can hire that are professional organizers. They go through and put everything into bins and stuff, I think. Maybe an online or yellow page search would help you find that.

Answer 9

It couldn't hurt. It would free up some of the time that you spend cleaning so you can work on organization.

Answer 10

You are SO WRONG!

A housekeeper will do whatever you need them to.