Housekeeper Bringing Baby

Wow. I think some people are forgetting that it's YOUR HOUSE and if anything happened to the baby you would be held legally accountable. Set rules that you are comfortable with and don't feel bad.

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As you said you're a mother, i think you should understand better that daycare is expensive even though it's non of your business.. If you really like the work she does, just ask her to bring a playpan so the child doesn't run around the house. I'm a single mom and I work for a big company at night, but just because it was hard for me to find a babysitter to take care of my child at night, my employer allowed me to bring my child to work. I have been going to work with my child for 2 years now. I just put her in her playpan at my back office and she sleeps the whole night.. Goodluck

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Children should not be in the work place. Do not feel bad about asking her to find other arrangements for her child.

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Dear D.,

You have to set your priorities, and make a decision. If she is a valuable employee, does her work well, and you trust her; then if I was you I would ask her to bring a playpen or a stroller so she can take the baby with her as she goes from room to room. Now a days it is very difficult to find someone you trust to come into your house and clean. I'm sure that $14.00hr in Texas is not a bad pay, here in New Jersey it wouldn't be enough to pay for daycare while she is at your house.
It is your decision and noone else's, you could still keep her if you don't mind the playpen or stroller, but if not, then you need to let her go. If that child gets hurt you will be liable. So, think about what you want to do and let her know. I would be willing to translate for you if you don't have anyone to help out with this :) Hope all works out.
I.

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She is coming from an entirely different culture. It is unlikely that she sees any problem in bringing her son. Frankly, I don't see the problem, either. If you are really worried, ask her to get a playpen. Or you could get one. I'm assuming that you want her to stay and have no problem with the work she is doing. Childcare is expensive, especially for someone who ONLY makes $70 a day. I had to quit work because of it.

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We paid $19,807 for daycare last year. Both my husband and I were making very good money at that time, and we weren't taking our kid to a swanky day care. My guess is that the cost of taking the baby to daycare is too much for her and would way offset her earnings. She should be speaking with you about this (through someone who can interpret) instead of assuming it's still OK since it is your house.

As the parent of a toddler, I'd be bringing toys with me (if I were her) to entertain him and ask for him to be kept in one room. But, the baby's getting to an age where that's a lot to as for 11 hours/week.

It's a tough situation - I wish you the best in resolving it so you're both happy.

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Why doesn't she speak English? If she's not a citizen, then there are more issues here.

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My opinion is this: every mom knows the risks of babies falling down stairs and getting into things. If she doesn't see this as a problem, and she's taking care of her child, why does it really bother you? I think it's great that she's being a full-time mom while working. If I could find a job where I could take my kids, I'd be all over it. And it's only for a short time each week. I say, let her continue to be the good mom she's being by keeping her baby with her. Kids need their moms. If her job is affected, then I would consider finding a different housekeeper, but if her work is just as good, then don't sweat it. I know I would be insulted if you were to ask me to find a day or baby sitter for my child. There is no place better for any child than with their mom.

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As for all of the people saying they don't see anything wrong with it, I totally disagree. It would be nice if we could all take our children to work with us but there are many reasons we can't and they are very good reasons. In this situation there is a lot of potential liability on your part. Although she knows the dangers of the stairs, etc. that does not mean she won't hold you responsible if something happens. In a world where someone can win 20 million for burning themselves with hot coffee when everyone knows coffee is hot chances are a jury would not find you without fault.

Also, she is being paid to clean your house and not watch her child. That was the understanding when you hired her. Just because she had a child does not mean the deal has changed unless you are happy paying her to watch her own child. As a mother I know that trying to clean the house with my little one running around is usually an exercise in futility. Even if she gets a playpen to put the child in while she is working there will be many interruptions throughout her day. Do the research on how much time you lose in a work day for every interruption and I think you will find you are getting the short end of the stick in this situation.

Basically it boils down to she decided to have a child. Now we all know when we do there will be changes in our lives. Often that means determining if we want to continue working and pay for daycare or not. To me it sounds like she has waited long enough to ask herself that question. You have been more than accommodating and patient.

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you will be held responsible if that child falls or gets hurt in any way. frankly, i'd be concerned about the child slipping after, let's say, floors have been cleaned. i suggest you find a way to communicate with her, tell her that you are uncomfortable having a young child at the house, whether you're there or not, and ask her if she can find a solution, otherwise, while you appreciate and recognize the hard work she does, you'll have to find someone else.
you need to communicate that to her clearly and let her come up with a solution.
i am thinking of this as a situation that would occur in any setting. a new mom bringing the child to work is a major no no. too much liability. plus i am wondering how much is she actually able to concentrate on work? i know when i had toddlers i had to be on my feet all day as they were getting into everything.
i read some of the posts. i feel bad people are suggesting that it is not your place to say something. it is your place, and it will be you who will be held responsible if something happens.

Let her know that now that the baby is mobile you are uncomfortable with the child coming along and that she will have to find care for the baby while she cleans the house. If you want to give her the option of bring a play pen which the child stays in during the time she cleans that is up to you, but as you know that would make for an unhappy child after awhile so it may be best to say no child.

I work at a concert hall as an event supervisor as well as purchasing the supplies and food for the events. As long as I got the supplies and food there the day before the event I have always been able to set my own hours on when to get the items. Had the job before my child and after having my daughter I brought her along with me to purchase the items as well as putting the items away at work. This took between 2-3 hours each time. My daughter is now 3 years old and when she is not in preschool she still comes along with me. Granted I never put her in a dangerous situation or the other workers in a difficult/awkward situation so it has never been a problem. My daughter never has come along when I supervise an event/concert because that is inappropriate.

In most work environments here in the U.S. bring your child to work is not allowed and frowned upon. Different cultures deals with things differently BUT since you and her are in the U.S. and due to the million things that could go wrong and you would have to end up paying for I would say no child.

I would say to her for safety's sake that she is not allowed to bring her child there, that you cannot be made responsible for any accidents that may occur while she is there. On the same note, let her know that she will be responsible for any damages caused by her toddler and that you would prefer that she leave her child w/a sitter while she works for you. Hope this helps, good luck.

I agree with most of the moms who are saying to ask her to get a playpen ... but I do understand your concern. I have a babysitter who cares for my 2 youngest. She doesn't have any children, so that's not a problem. Whenever I have to find a replacement, or the times when I have had to hire someone different to clean the house, I always specify no children. I don't need the liability, and plus, I can't bring my kids to work! You just need to do what you feel more comfortable with. After all, it is your house.

What a hard situation you are in. If that baby gets hurt you are going to have to pay for it's medical care from your home owners insurance. You have to get someone in there to help translate. She may have misunderstood. Even if she didn't she is putting the child at risk.

I can understand your issues with the child being there when she cleans, but babysitter can charge up to $15 an hour to watch a little one that is still in diapers and daycares sometimes don't take kids without charging the week price not daily prices. So, that might be why she is still bringing him. Plus, you didn't let her know it was an issue when she first started bringing him. If she can speak english, maybe you could ask her to bring a playpen for him to play in when she is working. That way he isn't able to get to the stairs and fall down them again. After all, if he is hurt - you or your insurance will most likely have to foot the bill. But if it really bothers you that she brings him - you'll just have to let he know... she will either find somewhere for him or you might be looking for a new housekeeper if she is unable to find him somewhere else to be when she cleans. But honsetly, I feel it should have been an issue talked about when she first started bringing him not 13 months after she started bringing him.

Stop it NOW. If this child is hurt at your house, you are responsibile. You are the employer and she is the employee. Your home is now the work place. That could open you up to a financial nightmare and I'm not sure if homeowner's insurance would cover an injury of the child. This is not a good situation at all. I would talk with her. She understands more English than you might think. However, if she doesn't agree then I would look for another housekeeper. This is not a good situation. Good luck!

It's not your place to tell her what to do with her child unless you have it in her contract that she can't bring him. Find a new housekeeper

She should leave the baby with a sitter or you need to find a new housekeeper. You are liable for any costs from any injuries that occur if the baby gets hurt. You could talk to your home insurance provider to find out how much and what would happen to your rates should the child get hurt on your property.

Do you know anyone that can interpret for you? You need to make things clear to your housekeeper.

Good luck.

Does she have a travel playpen that she can set up while she is at your house. Maybe she could also bring some children's videos (baby einstien) while the child is in the playpen. That way he can't get into anything while she is working. Of course that will only last for so long because he will soon be climbing out in about another year. If she can't do that then you may have to talk to her about the liablility of him getting hurt while she is there. What do you know about her situation? Does she have anyone to watch him while she works...? Can she afford daycare?

If i work in an office or a retail shop, or just about anywhere, i cannot bring my child to work. Your housekeeper is very lucky that you were willing to let her bring the infant. She was pregnant for 9 mos, the child is 16 mos old. That is PLENTY of time to make a childcare plan, or save a little along the way for upcoming (childcare) expenses. There are plenty of working moms in "entierly different cultures", plus she's been here working in homes for over 2 years. Again, plenty of time to figure out how we do things here. The checkout clerk at HEB does not have a toddler at her feet, nor does the man at the post office. Do not feel guilty that she is making "only" $14.00/hr! I know plenty of people who don't make that. If you or your husband went to work and told the boss "I need a raise, i have a child" would that be acceptable? If you discovered she lives far, would you pay her extra for gas? Also, what is she doing on the days she is not in your home? i'm pretty sure she's cleaning other homes/offices, and making good money.
You are treating her like a valuable employee,and you're concerned b/c you are nice and i'm sure she's nice too. BUT, you are getting emotionally involved b/c she has a child and you somehow feel you are responsible to help her pay/care for it. You provide her with hours and a salary, you pay her on time, you are being responsible. If some kind of day care/sitter is not possible (she has no family here, too expensive, etc) then insist he be in a playpen or something to keep him safe. It is possible she never thought anything of it b/c no one has said anything. If you make it about her piece of mind and baby's safety, there should not be a problem, especially if it means she gets to keep doing what she's doing and keep her job. If you know others she works for, maybe you could buy her a pack n play, or one of the other clients might have one that she can have, keep in the car from house to house.

You are not being unreasonable. She needs to find a sitter. It is too dangerous in your house and she is obviously too busy to watch him. What happens the next time baby falls and has a serious injury? Us that angle, that it is a safety issue and you dont' want baby getting really hurt.

She definitely needs to find someone else to watch him, or else you need to find another housekeeper. Not only is it dangerous for the child, I'm sure she spends a lot of time chasing him out of things he's not supposed to be in, and that surely takes away from the time she is supposed to be working for you. Maybe you could offer her a $10/day raise to help offset the cost of childcare.

My situation is different, as a nanny I am already taking care of children, so for me to take my son along is not completely far fetched. Plus, the houses are generally child-proof since they have children there already. As a nanny, the 1st priority is childcare, the other stuff (dishes, laundry, vacuuming) is secondary and not "required".

Honestly, $70 is cheap and you are getting a good deal. I pay $100 and I thought I was getting a good deal. In saying that, she would have to probably give half if not more than half to someone to watch her baby. Childcare is not cheap and what's the point in her working if all her money goes to daycare. Especially for a young one.

If you are uncomfortable with her cleaning your home, then you may have to find someone else. With two staircases in your home, I doubt you will find anyone to clean it that cheap.

You are not being unreasonable. Yes, she probably doesn't make enough to afford childcare, and she may come from a differnt culture, but that doesn't seem like it should be your issue to come up with a solution to. You never told her she could bring her child to work indefinately (did you?).

If you feel comfortable with her using a playpen, that's your decision. But...like others mentioned, you are responsible if that child gets hurt at your home, and I do think it's an unreasonable suggestion for you to spend any money out of your pocket to get the child a playpen or come up witha way to help entertain her child for 11 hours a week.

Just my opinion though.

You would be held reliable if something were to happen to baby .I would give her a leave of absence to give her time to find another caretaker or if she is unable to follow through with request regardless of excuse then I would ask her not to come back.Your right who brings a baby to work with them unless your a parent & you have your work @ home but this is your home she is your employee.