Babysitter Expectations

I don't expect a sitter to do any cleaning, really. Cleaning up major messes that are created (like if watercolors spill), yes. Doing my dishes? No. If the kids need to eat, then they/the sitter can just put them in the sink and I'll do them when I get home. I expect a sitter to interact with the kids, oversee meals and bedtime as necessary, and keep the kids safe. I expect that he or she won't be on the phone the whole time or have anyone else over and will call me in case of an emergency. If you want dishes in the dishwasher, then specify that upfront. Otherwise, when I babysat, I just put the dishes on the counter or in the sink. If you expect the kids to pick up toys before bed, tell the sitter that, too.

I would only expect the dishes to be in the dishwasher if the sitter fed the kids. The sitter should have the kids pick up after themselves or clean up after them if they're very small. I would expect them to clean up after whatever they all did after I was gone. I don't expect a sitter to pick up MY mess.

I would do a checklist just in case.

I expect my house to look the way it did when I left. If that means they fed the kids then yes they need to clean up the mess. Anything taken out by them or the kids then yes it needs to be picked back up.

I don't expect them to clean my house above and beyond their mess or do my dishes if I left them there before they got there.

If this is what you want done and expect then yes add it to the babysitter check list/ instruction sheet that way everyone is clear on all sides.

I would only expect her to clean up whatever mess she/they made.

If I leave my house at 8, my dishes are already done so I wouldn't really expect there to be any dishes other than maybe some glasses. If they did make something to eat, I wouldn't think it would be something that messes up alot of dishes and I really wouldn't mind if they were done or not. I am paying her to take care of the kids, not the house.

I work for a sitting company. Its always my goal to make sure the house looks better than the way the parents left it. I will say if a paret tips me more I will do more the next time too!

I would never expect my sitters to do the dishes - even if they fed the kids dinner. Put the dishes in the sink, but not washed or even in the dishwasher.

I do let her know that my kids need to pick up their toys before bed, so the toy room is picked up - but not because I make her do it, but because my kids do it.

That said, I do have one sitter that does wash the dishes without my asking and she is my first choice sitter and I tip her extra. But I would never expect it.

I agree that you can expect some level of cleaning/straightening from a babysitter, especially if the kids are sleeping. I would leave a small post-it note of a few things you expect done while you're gone. When you're talking with the babysitter before you leave briefly explain that there are a few things you'd like done before you get home and if it works out to include the children on them then that's even better. A 4 y.o. can certainly help clear the table and what a great opportunity to reinforce what you're trying to teach them. The more adults that teach your children the better :)

I've never hired a babysitter, however, I did babysit an a teen and my daughter does some sitting. IMO a babysitter should not be expected to clean up, you're paying to watch the kids not clean. Of course, I would expect a babysitter to tidy up any messes she personally made, but not messes made by the kids.

Also, I know several people who do not like anyone loading their dishwashers and have items that are dishwasher safe, but they don't put those items in the washer. So NO, a babysitter should not touch the dishwasher.

Babysitters do not have to clean the house.

Before you hire someone, you need to specify what you want and what you expect.

When we used a sitter, I expected my house to be in the same order it was in when I left. I would never expect an evening sitter to do my chores. Also, when we booked a sitter for the night, we guaranteed $40. That meant even if we cancelled because she did save her night for us and could have gone elsewhere. We then added to the $ and our weekly date nights were anywhere from $60-$80 cash. We still have weekly date nights, daughter is 17 now and a sitter for several families in my neighborhood.

As for daughter when she is a sitter... she has been raised.. "you make a mess you clean it up" She averages $12-$15 an hour. She typically take a craft, activity or something different and fun to do to entertain the children. She helps with homework, etc. If she is instructed to feed the children, she cleans up.

She recently stopped sitting at one family's home because it was so dirty. She cleaned the entire kitchen because there were no clean plates/glasses. They were ones that paid her the least as well. It never failed that everytime she went there, we had a Dr visit the next week. It wasn't worth it. I found this so shocking because we live in a very nice neighborhood with high end homes, people pay well, etc.

Enjoy your evening out. Date nights are vital!!

My experience with sitters (and even maids!!) is that if you aren't specific they probably won't do it. I usually try to leave a meal that is prepped and requires very few dishes. If it's date night I don't usually ask for much to be done other than she have the kids pick up their toys after. But in the past when I have had a regular sitter coming when I'm taking classes etc.. I have asked before I even hire if she would be willing to do dishes, sweep, wipe down table or whatever. And I usually pay better if I'm expecting this! I have been pleasantly surprised by a babysitter or two who have taken initiative and folded my laundry while watching a movie with kids. Rare gems like that I will employ often! :)

If you expect someone to do something, clear it with them first!

I would definitely ask her if she wouldn't mind doing some chores around the house. That way you're not assuming she'll know to do it.

I babysat all through high school and college (this has been 10 years or so, so things may have changed). I always cleaned up toys or any messes that I made with the kids. If I fed them, I cleaned up the dishes. I basically had a rule to leave the house as I found it, whether it was messy or clean.