Rules on housesitting?
By tink91879
@tink91879 (742)
United States
June 15, 2011 8:35am CST
So Im taking my kids to visit fam this weekend. I have my neighbor coming to watch my two small dogs. She is a grandmother and lives with her daughter and her daughter husband and their 4 children. Im not sure on everything I should do or dont need to worry about. Im a little concerned about the grandkids coming over all the time and playing with my kids stuff and just making a mess. I would prefer it just be the grandma and my dogs. I have two small dogs and I dont want any of the kids getting hurt. Im thinking of just talking to her about it and letting her know my rules that nobody needs to come over and stay. On food Im not going grocery shopping just letting her help herself to what ever is in the fridge. I dont know if I should make a special meal for her, like croc pot spaghetti which would last her the weekend, plus the other food around. What do you do when you have a house/dog sitter?
3 responses
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
15 Jun 11
We used to housesit for our neighbours. My mom would walk the dog and check on the house each day. She didn't stay in the house - she just went over, so no food was needed. Sometimes my younger sister would water the garden. I don't think there were rules - it was just understood. A quick conversation mentioning that it might be best if it is just her coming over would hopefully be enough.
1 person likes this
@tink91879 (742)
• United States
15 Jun 11
I would have her do that, but my dogs are pampered. The spend most time inside and if were not here need to be put away so they dont get into trouble when were out. My oldest dog is 6 and than my other is only 7 months. I know she will do a good job, which is why Im having her do it, just when I had her oldest grand daughter babysit my kids she had all her siblings here and I thought it was understood you dont bring other kids over when babysitting. So I guess Im just a little concerned because of that. It just lets me know to mention it. I just dont want to be rude on approaching the subject.
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
15 Jun 11
hmm...it's a tricky conversation to have, but maybe you should just come out and say that you're sorry to be blunt, but for several reasons, (puppy too young, house not tidy, that sort of thing), you'd rather it just be her. Obviously you think her kids/grandkids are great, but since you're not home, you'd just be more comfortable.
(My inlaws have a puppy, and while they want me to bring my child over there, the puppy just isn't ready for children she doesn't know. She gets excited and sometimes she bites).
@tink91879 (742)
• United States
15 Jun 11
Thank you, yes I am paying her. I have stuff here for her to make meals breakfast,lunch and dinner and some snack stuff. I just dont feel the need to stock my fridge for one person when Im paying her and I have to go grocery shopping when we get home. Ill definatly set the ground rules and write things down.
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
12 Nov 12
When I was young, I like housesitting my Aunt's place. It made me responsible to secure the place and taking time to take good care of myself. It was like freedom to be left alone without the parentage guidance. Eventually, I discovered that I am ready to be independent to travel alone and stay away from the house to study in the city.
