https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:26:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192987 Fri, 29 May 2015 05:49:20 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2192987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I babysat, I always cleaned up the kitchen and toys after the kids went to bed. I often left houses cleaner than I found them! I can't imagine just leaving that stuff out!</p> <p>That said, if everything else was fine, it wouldn't be a deal breaker. But I would tell her those expectations next time before you leave (and I don't think they are unreasonable expectations at all!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192599 Thu, 28 May 2015 19:00:43 +0000 sarac 2192599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I'd be irritated if she was just sitting on her butt in a big mess. If I came home right after bedtime, ok. But if she's just left a big kid mess for you to clean up? No way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192231 Thu, 28 May 2015 14:52:32 +0000 SweetiePie 2192231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It might irk me a bit, BUT she is a babysitter and if I didn't specify it, I'd let it roll off my back and invite her back.<br /> I'm not sure I'd ask her to clean up next time though, I'd probably just adjust my expectations. Maybe I'd ask her to put the food away since it can go bad. But if she didn't clean up the first time that means she doesn't think it's in her job description. So I wouldn't want to cause issues by asking her to do it, especially if the kids are happy and safe and asleep at end of the night, which is her main responsibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192178 Thu, 28 May 2015 14:27:59 +0000 coopsmama 2192178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My number one expectation is that my kids are kept safe and are happy when I arrive home. If that's the case, all else is gravy. I would definitely pay more/tip a bit if a sitter exceeded those expectations, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192175 Thu, 28 May 2015 14:26:04 +0000 BoogieBea 2192175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our sitter just puts the dishes in the sink. And he's a college student. But I've learned with sitters that if I want them to do something in addition to watching/playing with the kids - I need to be explicit with my instructions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192168 Thu, 28 May 2015 14:24:41 +0000 autumnlove 2192168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ya, I would have her back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192163 Thu, 28 May 2015 14:21:58 +0000 MrsF 2192163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 19 years old I would think that she would at least clean up the mess from dinner if it was obvious what needed to be done and definitely wipe down the highchair. If the kids were still awake and occupying her time, that's one thing, but she could be doing a little cleanup before turning on the TV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192025 Thu, 28 May 2015 13:29:25 +0000 daniellemybelle 2192025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Babysitters have always cleaned up for us and I always cleaned up when I babysat, provided the kids were in bed. But, I would probably have her back and just say, "Do you mind picking up a little bit, wiping down the highchair tray and that sort of thing after they go to bed?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192023 Thu, 28 May 2015 13:27:10 +0000 Purpledaisy 2192023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that if you want her to clean up you need to tell her. If she still doesn't after that then that's one thing. I would give her another chance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2192005 Thu, 28 May 2015 13:20:25 +0000 78h2o 2192005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd have her back if I liked her and would spell it out... That being said, I'd probably also look for another sitter. I babysat for many years and I ALWAYS used whatever time I had remaining after the kids went to bed to clean the kitchen and playroom to the very best of my ability before watching tv. The house was almost always cleaner than I found it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191959 Thu, 28 May 2015 13:07:11 +0000 Dandelion 2191959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I'd have her back. Even I don't pick up all the toys every night. If the kids are safe and happy that's all that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191943 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:59:29 +0000 looch 2191943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I'd have the sitter back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191942 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:58:30 +0000 PinkElephant 2191942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Yes, she's 19, and grew up in the neighborhood we live in now (meaning I suspect she had a fairly privileged upbringing)....I met her b/c our families share the same cleaning lady, so I guess I should have known she might not be used to doing much cleaning up, haha. :) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191941 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:58:20 +0000 Peasinapod 2191941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a younger teen babysitter I would likely have needed to be told to put the food in the fridge. She might have felt like she was making herself too at home otherwise? I'd say just do a run through of how you'd like the evening to go and include wiping up the kitchen and putting food away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191938 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:57:32 +0000 Ajsmommy 2191938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't expect her to clean up... I mean it would be an added bonus but it wouldn't cause any issues with me. I'd have her back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191937 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:56:58 +0000 PinkElephant 2191937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Oh good! I agree with you - to me it's not a deal breaker, I'll just tell her next time. I really was just a little surprised. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191934 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:56:24 +0000 sleepybear 2191934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd have her back, but ask her to clean up and show her where Tupperware/cleaning supplies are. When I babysat I would usually try to clean up as much as I could but if I didn't know how the family usually cleans something or where things go I wouldn't worry about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191930 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:53:34 +0000 mediagirl 2191930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I don't think it would bother me too much. Was she a teen? She may not even notice the food mess, to be honest. I know I wasn't the best at cleaning up when I was a teen babysitter. I don't think you're a you know what, I think it's a totally reasonable question to ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191928 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:53:15 +0000 PinkElephant 2191928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: This pretty well sums up my theory - I expect KID messes made while she's there to get cleaned up. I don't expect toys that were already out to be tidied up, or the wine glass I left in the sink to get washed. Particularly with teen sitters. When I hire full time nannies to sit at night, they typically will take care of little things like this if the kids are sleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191923 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:51:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2191923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I didn't think you sounded like a you know what. :)</p> <p>And yeah if there was already foil I would definitely be surprised. But still wouldn't be a deal breaker if I liked her otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191917 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:50:10 +0000 PinkElephant 2191917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just in case anyone is thinking I sound like a total you-know-what :).....here are the answers to a few things people asked:</p> <p>- I prepped the food and set it out, but she fed the kids.<br /> - The pizza was sitting on a piece of foil on a tray, so she didn't need tupperware.</p> <p>I don't really care about the toys, but I would have thought it would just be common sense to stick perishable food in the fridge (I'd do it if I were the babysitter). I'll definitely know going forward that particularly with young sitters, I might need to tell them I expect them to put away untouched food and trash/wipe up whatever is left on their trays.</p> <p>I'm not actually mad, just curious about how others would react. DH was pretty ticked, but that's probably b/c he cleaned up while I walked the sitter home, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191910 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:46:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2191910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be surprised that she didn't at least put food in the fridge, but if I was happy with everything else, I would still use her again. Though when I used to babysit I did at least pick up a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191908 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:45:31 +0000 Jess1483 2191908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always cleaned the houses where I sat, and would generally expect the same to be done as long as there was time to do it. I would expect all "kid" messes to be cleaned, and I also always made the house nicer than when I arrived (but I don't think that's necessarily in the job description.) If everything else went well, I'd have her back but ask her to clean up the messes they make. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191903 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:44:29 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2191903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! I see these things as part of taking care of the baby. Maybe not the toys, but definitely wiping the high chair and putting dinner away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191902 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:43:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2191902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry, short answer,</p> <p>I would try her back again but spell it out. Before the kids go to bed, they need to put toys away in the baskets or lined up neatly. Please put leftovers from dinner covered in the fridge (maybe leave out a tupperware?) and please wipe down any mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191901 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:43:42 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2191901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just show her where to find the tupperware and cloths to clean up next time she is there. I would expect the kitchen to be cleaned up after dinner (or at least that it was clear that she tried, even if it isn't as clean as you would have it). It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but if I had other options she would probably be the one I called last if even after showing her what to do she left a big mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191900 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:43:20 +0000 Truth Bombs 2191900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did she feed the kids dinner or did you (since you said you made it)? If you guys fed the kids dinner I wouldn't expect her to clean up a mess that you left behind. If she fed the kids I would expect dishes to be put the sink and the leftovers in the fridge at least. </p> <p>I don't expect toys to be picked up... but then again, our playroom is always a bit of a disaster. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191897 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:42:40 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2191897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uhh I totally would expect that a highchair would at least be wiped off (maybe not scrubbed or anything). I can see maybe she didn't know how you wanted the pizza put up and I could understand the toys a bit? But I remember babysitting at a very young age and always trying to do what I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191895 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:42:02 +0000 rachiecakes 2191895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't expect a babysitter to clean up unless I asked and showed them around the kitchen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-have-a-babysitter-back-if#post-2191894 Thu, 28 May 2015 12:41:52 +0000 Smurfette 2191894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't expect babysitters to clean up. </p>