I have someone that cleans every other week. The hardest part is making sure everything is in it's place before she comes. I don't want her to go out of her way to clean around our misplaced messes. I've done this for about 10 years or so - after our second child was born. I do still clean bathrooms and stuff on the in-between weekend and I "Shark" all of the floors (we have all hardwood and tile) sometimes 3 times a week (dirt and dust - the joys of country living). I don't think my kids are any "lazier" because of this. They do know HOW to clean just fine but I enjoy the convenience. The only free time I have to do any cleaning would be the weekends because I work out of town and just don't have the time once I get home each night. It really stinks when you're cleaning inside all day when the outdoors beckons!
I even have an "ironing lady" - my grandmother! She has ironed for people for so long and charges me a very minimal amount. I think for her it's more of just something to do with herself AND it means she will definitely see me every couple weeks at least. If I don't have much to take and miss a weekend, she's calling looking for the clothes!
I say if you can afford a cleaning person, it's definitely the way to go. It's just something I've learned to budget because it's so refreshing to come home to a really clean house after her visits!
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~ Angie |