In this blog, I am finding sincere concerns about how the sitters did not clean up before leaving. As a sitter who raised a family, worked and maintained beautiful homes, I am finding myself competing with others who do not have the experience. Then, after the sit, the HO is frustrated because the sitter did not pick up after themselves. I understand… I have adult kids… it takes them awhile to be fully accountable. HO, I think you would do well to interview your applicants with this in mind.
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So you’re implying that only those who have raised families and had their own homes are qualified to sit and everyone else is an unaccountable kid? That’s how it reads to me so I just want to be clear about what you’re trying to say here.
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That’s right, we usually do a thorough spring cleaning when we leave and are super aware of surfaces that could be stained or damaged by a hot mug for example. We doubt that anybody would last for long as a home and pet sitter who isn’t extremely respectful towards the home and everything in it.
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@Turtle - Your post sounds as if you are bitter for losing out on sits to those you deem to be less experienced than you? How are less experienced sitters expected to gain experience if home hosts do not give them a chance?
I am single, and have managed to get through life by cleaning up after myself with high standards. I’m not liking what I read here …
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@Turtle I have been someone’s ‘adult kid’ for 40+ years now. I moved from the UK to Canada at the tender age of 19, after having been raised by a caring family who taught me good values and respect for others. I have been ‘fully accountable’ for my actions (and self-supporting) since I moved to Canada. I have never raised a family, but did work full-time until early retirement, and have owned and maintained a home (‘beautiful’ is such a subjective word) since the age of 21.
I don’t fit into your idea of a stereotypical sitter, but if you read my THS profile (embedded in my forum name), you’ll see I have 50+ glowing reviews and references. I hope that, with the responses you’ve been receiving here, you will see that you have painted everyone with the same soiled brush, whereas sitters are as diverse as the world around them and the homeowners they encounter.
I suggest that good THS homeowners should interview applicants (and vice versa, by the way) with far more indicators than just the ones you mention. This forum helps educate everyone on the many ‘red flags’ to watch for. I wish you well on your future sits.
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Thank you for your post! Yes you and many others are good sitters, and are not the stereotypical college kid who has not yet had an apartment or house to keep up. While there might be many like you (fortunately) I fear a lot of young adults are not. I appreciate your comment. When my sister was in college she shared a house with some great people, but they were horrible in housekeeping - they left dishes around, didn’t take their share of trash and recycle removal, and were basically slobs. They changed later but during college they were dreadful. BTW they were good people from good homes… just didn’t think about picking up and cleaning.
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Hi @Turtle this was something I wrote on a post entitled “Does age matter” and I think is very relevant to this discussion around taking responsibility for being good housekeepers.
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