Sure, having household help is a luxury, but it's not without its complications, which is why we're sticking so close to home for this week's SurvivalList roundup.
First there's that uncomfortable "we're not on Downton Abbey" feeling you may get from having the cleaner/nanny around when you're home.
But there are also myriad issues that come up, like how much to tip nannies at Christmas time? And whether or not nannies should get snow days and whether it's okay to fire your housekeeper (babysitter, contractor etc) for bed bugs? (Most respondents said yes).
Our own Ms. Demeanor has fielded plenty of emails about nanny and housekeeper etiquette, like what to do about a housekeeper who's a homophobe, one who gossips too much and a nanny with a bad attitude.
We've also helped decode some common nannyisms (e.g. "the train was late" = I slept in)
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And just so you feel a little bit better about your own situation, take a read of this horrror story about a housecleaner who calls all the shots.
For these, and more posts related to household help, scroll down through this week's SurvivalList, below:
Payment issues:
- Do snow days apply to nannies?
- The Nanny Question: Tipping the person who cares for your children
- Are you paying your housekeeper enough?
Decoding nannyisms:
- NYC Real(i)ty Speak: Nannyisms
Ms. Demeanor tackles househould help:
- Dear Ms. Demeanor: Our nanny is crimping our move
- Dear Ms. Demeanor: My housekeeper is a homophobe
- Dear Ms. Demeanor: My housekeeper's 'tween tries on my stepdaughter's clothes
- Dear Ms. Demeanor: My housekeeper gossips - to me
- Dear Ms. Demeanor: My housekeeper stole from me. Should I tell the people I referred her to?
Gripes about the housekeeper/nanny:
- The housekeeper chronicles
- Inside Story: I was a slave to my Polish housekeeper
- So your nanny has sticky fingers. So long--or so what?
- Is it okay to fire your housekeeper (babysitter, contractor etc) for bed bugs?
- Feeling awkward around "the help"? You're not alone.
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