The house cleaners that I promised myself I would get have come and gone. The house is as spotless as it was the day we moved in. But they reorganized my cupboards – and moved my coffee!
Most of the guilt I had in hiring them has gone. It’s been replaced by fresh guilt.
The original guilt was that I should do everything myself. After all, my mom took care of 8 kids in a house 1/2 the size of mine and her house was always clean. I’m only working a 7 hour day so surely I have enough time. Friends tell me that I’m lazy and should have spent this last holiday weekend cleaning. I think they’re teasing, but I’m not quite sure. Meanwhile, one has a car payment – and the other’s husband drinks as much in beer every month as I’ve spent on the cleaners. But I digress…
I wasn’t home when they came over to clean on their day off. I spent the day calling my son a few times, asking him if they really minded doing this. I felt a little better as my son reassured me that they were having fun working together. And I pay double what they make at their day jobs, doing the same kind of work so they’re happy. Part of me wanted to be there, working alongside them.
The new guilt is more shame at myself. That I don’t work as hard as these ladies do and have never been willing to make the sacrifices that they have to improve their lives. They’re from the Philippines – one has four children that she’s left in the care of her family to come here and work for $10/hour. Another has one child back home, and the other two just send all their surplus money home to their families.
So now, when I think that I shouldn’t indulge myself this way, I see myself taking money away from their families – away from their children, and it feels wrong to NOT have them come.
Now I just need to find a personal trainer that’s a single mom that will guilt me into paying her to exercise…
I like it: reverse justification
I do agree though — if you don’t spend the money, they will be out of a job.. seeing as I have family who are cleaning ladies, it’s really their bread and butter and they’re happy doing it because it’s flex hours and they can watch their kids in the off peaks or whatever. It works for them and their schedule.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com recently posted..Charitable Donations- When it doesn’t make sense to give your money away
Thanks FAB, sometimes it’s best to use powers (like guilt) for good and not evil.
Umm, yes, you’ve made lots of sacrifices to improve your life and your children’s lives too. Don’t think for a minute that hard physical labour is the only sacrifice one can make.
I’ve read your blog, I know you’ve made plenty of sacrifices
Now you’re allowing yourself more time to spend with your kids, or on whatever makes you a happier person than scrubbing the floors. That’s a gift to you and your family.
I can’t clean the house in the same time an outside cleaner can. It literally takes me all weekend to cleean my house and do the laundry. When a house cleaner comes in, four hours and they’re outta here.
Pretty good value. I’m a nicer person too. Good luck with the trainer
Tracy recently posted..What’s a net worth
I know Tracy, but not to the extent these ladies do. I could never leave my kids and go half way across the world to give them a better life. OTOH, I did uproot them and move across North America for a better life. They just came with me.
Oh, I so agree! I can clean other people’s houses very quickly. I did my dad’s this summer – 8 hours straight until my hands were chapped. But I don’t get distracted when I’m doing somebody else’s house.
Agree with tracy, enjoy it!
Karyn recently posted..What am I thankful for
Oh I do! You have no idea how I do. Although, I don’t think the ladies are as frugal as me – they threw stuff out I would never have thrown out – like books and recyclables! Imagine that! Now I have to dumpster dive…
Everyone has different priorities. So you pay someone to clean your house, big deal. Now you can use that time to hang with the kids or whatever. Just a different allocation of time more than money from my perspective. If you can afford it, then who cares? Cleaning is a bummer, and takes a lot of time. I say, keep the cleaners and let go of the guilt. I do hope you find your coffee though!
Everyday Tips recently posted..Thoughts For Thursday- Rescued Miners and Perspectives On Life
That’s how I’m looking at it ET. I definitely don’t mind working for a few hours a month to have some help doing something I don’t like to do – or it could be I just don’t like doing it alone. Even if I take a sabbatical again, this is an expense I’m budgeting in – maybe not as much, but a couple of hundred bucks a month is worth it!
Thanks for the comment!
Hi, i just thought i’d post and let you know your blogs layout is really messed up on the K-Melonbrowser. Anyhow keep up the good work.
Thanks for letting me know, although I don’t know what to do about it – so don’t expect it to change anytime soon.