Ironing?

**BlondeMoment** · 10-08-2010, 07:32 AM

Hi Minders!

Was just wondering what you all think of doing a bit of ironing while the kiddies are happy to play? My pile is almost to the ceiling because I work 12 hour days and by the evening I'm fit for nothing. It doesn't get done at the weekends because there's always something going on. Some family BBQ or something (have a big family so always lots going on)

Is this OK? I can baracade myself in the kitchen with a safety gate so they can't fly in and knock anything. Do any of you try and get any housework done?

Lisa x x x

**beccas** · 10-08-2010, 07:34 AM

i do do some housework while the lo are playing but i never iron its too dangerous... maybe if all lo are sleeping do a bit but not while they are playing i wouldnt risk it...

**sweets** · 10-08-2010, 07:39 AM

i will do bits of housework while they are playing but i wouldn't iron, i know you said you can do it behind a gate in the kitchen but what if you had to rush through to the children, it would be easy to forget to shut the gate!

i would maybe do it while they are sleeping tho

**Carol M** · 10-08-2010, 07:42 AM

No, never!
Carol xx

**Mouse** · 10-08-2010, 07:42 AM

Personally, I don't iron or do housework while the children are here.

I will put washing in the machine & on the line or in the tumble dryer while I'm working, and I will run the hoover round or mop/brush the floor if we've made a mess, but that's it.

I suppose I may consider ironing if the children were asleep, but definitely not if they were playing. Having said that, most of my ironing gets set out to be done anyway

**Pedagog** · 10-08-2010, 07:44 AM

I never iron while minding, my children all do their own at weekends.
I will put washing on, or load dish washer, I even run the hover around if need be, but generally only if its a mess from minding.

**tracey36** · 10-08-2010, 07:47 AM

i think ironing while working is a big no no there are to many risks involved i will do a general tidy up maybe hang out washing but thats about it also want to add thats not what parents are paying you for

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 10-08-2010, 07:53 AM

I do everything but ironing whilst the children are awake but if they go to bed then I will do it.

If you barracade yourself in the kitchen how are your watching the children?

If my MIL comes over to iron I am upstairs and the door is closed or I pay my DD to do some.

**hayleychildcare** · 10-08-2010, 07:55 AM

I also wouldnt iron while minding.

I also dont hoover as mindee scared of the hoover, i dont mop the floor incase mindees slip. I might quickly sweep but it normally really quickly and never properly

I work 6 days a week and i spend my sundays doing all housework, ironing, washing, gardening, decorating and sleeping

**solly** · 10-08-2010, 08:02 AM

I only do things like washing up, loading the washing machine or hanging it out I would never iron with children around.
I always hated ironing and would end up with so much so I decided enough was enough as I was working 12 hrs days and found i didnt have time to do the ironing so now i have an ironing lady who comes on a thursday morning to pick it up then she brings it all back in the evening on hangers so i just need to put it away.

I also now have a cleaner who comes in on a Thursday whilst I am out with the children and gives the house a thorough clean, I do hoover and clean the kitchen and bathroom daily. They both do such a good job I wouldn't be without either as have now got my evenings and weekends back

**snufflepuff** · 10-08-2010, 08:05 AM

I did some ironing once but the children were asleep, i wouldn't do it if they were awake. I will do things like hang the washing out or put washing in the machine. And obviously sweep the kitchen and wipe the surfaces after meals.

**sandy64** · 10-08-2010, 08:05 AM

no definately not evan tho my pile is huge, no its really not worth it sorry

**watgem** · 10-08-2010, 08:10 AM

me neither, i only do housework relevant to minding, eg if they've made a mess, because its too risky and parents are paying me to care for their children not do my housework. In fact I rarely iron these days, just fold it carefully as soon as its off the line or out of the dryer.

**jelly15** · 10-08-2010, 08:55 AM

Loading the washing machine while mindees sat at kitchen table, hang out washing when they are in the garden and do the dishes as they are used, that is it.

If the Los happen to be asleep at the same time then it is my time to have a break.

**Ali56** · 10-08-2010, 09:24 AM

Agree Jelly! if the lo's are sleeping then thats my break time!! I only do washingand drying if it fits in and the dishes as we use them , my kitchen is tiny!! Other than that only whats relevant, If we make a mess then i'll do what it takes to clean it up, I have a dustbuster and the kids love hoovering with that, I have to remember who did it last! lol

**carol cameron** · 10-08-2010, 10:02 AM

Probably not what you want to hear but I agree with everyone else. Ironing while children are awake is just something that really shouldn't be done. I appreciate that you are working long hours but whilst it is reasonable to do other bits and pieces eg washing up or hoovering up mess made by mindees I really don't believe that ironing should be done during a working day -unless the children are asleep.

**marzi** · 10-08-2010, 10:34 AM

Why not look into sending your ironing out to be done? It's usually quite reasonable depending where you are. Round here it's £5 per 30 items and £5 for collection and delivery. Check on ***** on the local noticeboard there should be someone! I wouldn't do it while working but then again I hate ironing so only do the bits I actually need when I need em lol

**Mookins** · 10-08-2010, 10:51 AM

i dont iron full stop....

bit if i did i wouldnt while minding.....i wouldnt with my own dd around id wait till she was at preschool or in bed

xx

**wellybelly** · 10-08-2010, 10:51 AM

I used to have someone do my ironing - it worked out to about £5 a load, by a load I mean a washing machine full. I used to send everything I hated ironing e.g. shirts, duvets, linen clothes etc. Well worth it.

I'd never iron when childminding

**angiemog** · 10-08-2010, 11:23 AM

I'm another one saying I wouldn't iron. I do load the washing machine sometimes and hang it on the line. I do hoover and mop kitchen floor occasionally. I am considering getting a cleaner in to help out but I'm in a position to be able to afford it. There is only me and my hubbie so we dont have too much ironing I usually give things a big shake.... and wear it