She is my friend, but she's seriously a slob. I can barely walk on the floor sometimes and it's driving me nuts. I knew she was a slob before she moved in, but I didn't know it would always be this much of a mess. She has 2 kids and one of them has special needs and she works full-time, but she should be able to find some time to clean. We are both on the lease and I can't afford to rent this place by myself nor do I have anyone else to rent it. What should I do?
2007-10-30 18:39:02 · 5 answers · asked by princessmmmy3 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
A single mother who works full-time to support two children, (one with special needs) is a seriously demanding role. Her priorities in terms of cleanliness and order are different to yours, and living with someone whose children take priority means the place will always be a mess.
On the other hand, she should recognise that sharing accommodation with you involves respecting your level of tidiness and cleaning standards.
You're not there to pick up after her children, nor responsible for her being a single parent.
Be assertive and demand that she spends at least 2 hours with you on the weekend cleaning the place up. I know it's not your responsibility to clean up her children's mess, but you entered into a lease agreement with her in the full knowledge that she had two children.
If I were you, I'd get out of the lease as quickly as I could and find another place to live.
I do hope you remain friends, but sometimes you have to forget about the friendship bit and move on.
2007-10-30 19:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Sally Anne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She works full time and has 2 kids, one with special needs?? My God, the woman is a saint. Can you not offer to mind her kids for a few hours, take them for a walk while she does her share of the housework?
2007-10-30 19:52:47 · answer #2 · answered by teatotler 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's working several full time jobs already.
How old are the kids? The one who isn't special needs could always help out with the cleaning.
She's working full time, has two kids (one special needs).
Why don't you offer to help out a bit?
2007-10-30 19:22:44 · answer #3 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain to her how miserable you are living with her messes. Let her keep her room, etc. basically anywhere that you don't use a mess. But, insist that the common area be kept clean. Set up a chore chart. For example--Every Monday, she vacuums and you dust.....
2007-10-30 18:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by steffi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about you help clean? she sounds like shes a bit busy. being a single mom is extremely hard and even more so with two children, and EVEN MORE SO with a special needs child. Sounds like your a bit snobby for not helping. sounds like her free time is to her children and work.. what about yours?
2007-10-30 18:43:31 · answer #5 · answered by Lovey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋