Sitter Guides and Expectations

I remember tuning in to the original version of ‘The Stepford Wives’, late one night whilst babysitting as a teenager…

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@pietkuip We’ve never reeived that email.

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@Becca I actually thought you’d written that in response to the list posted by @anon22438636 .

And sorry @anon22438636 but I find that list just awful; it’s essentially housekeeping for dummies, but with a disingenuous smile. Much better to do your due diligence when selecting a sitter, chose an adult who presents in a manner which you feel comfortable with, whose communications are clear and timely and who you trust will look after your pets and home in your absence. This really is the stuff of Stepford Wives:

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I agree. I would find it patronizing, especially the twee saying “A tidy kitchen is a happy kitchen!”

I’ve received cleaning instructions from HO’s, but more direct. Incidentally, the HO with the most detailed instructions hadn’t adhered to them herself before my sit started - duh! She asked me to empty trash bins but hadn’t done so herself, for example. There was more.

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No way, could ChatGPT and the Stepford Wives be related?! :smiley:

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@anon22438636 do you give this information to the sitters before they commit to the sit ?

I have always received 5 stars for cleanliness and comments such as home was immaculate on our return .

I might be put off by this list though , and it would make me feel anxious the whole stay that my cleaning didn’t meet your standards . I would rather know about this before committing to a sit .

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@Silversitters Of course not. I’m a sitter myself and would never give a ChatGPT text to anyone :smiley: I thought it was obvious that this was just a funny example of an AI generated text and just wanted to exaggerate it a bit. My kind of humour, sorry.

I don’t think I’m cut out for this forum because it’s generally too negative for me and I’ve actually only ever had fabulous encounters with petparents and only this forum makes me suddenly question things that are actually perfectly ok for me.

I only have 5 star ratings in all categories and my reviews are very detailed, usually several paragraphs that I get and praise in there. As I said before, I am often invited back privately by my pet parents. So I think I will only use the forum if I really have a problem… Until then, have fun everybody and don’t take everything so seriously. :heart: :heart:

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It was not obvious to me. I had not even considered that possibility!

But I did not think it was seriously meant.

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In my opinion, that’s much better than relying on “common sense” or Auntie Angela’s list.
The level of cleaning should be adjusted to the specific circumstances (owner’s own level, size of house, part of the house used, length of stay, climate specifics, etc)
As a sitter, if I found I can’t meet the standards, I wouldn’t commit myself to that sitting, neither would I apply for a sitting if I can tell from the pictures that the hygiene standard may be below my needs (I learned my lesson)
As I have mentioned in other threads, I prefer clear, specific information and won’t be insulted if you ask me to do something that’s too obvious or basic for me because I don’t feel you are assuming anything about me, you’re just letting me know something about you and your house.
My “common sense” includes everything that has been mentioned here. It does not include washing the pets beds.
@HelloOutThere, one thing I always do, even if it means getting up really early, is wash the sheets and towels. I even insist because I want to return clean linen, as I found. I see you prefer to wash it yourself and I will ask next time. Thinking back, maybe I shouldn’t have insisted when I was told “you don’t have to”. I just assumed it was the HO being polite, like “help yourself to any food or drink”
This forum is so helpful to keep improving!

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BRILLIANTLY said!

Hmmm… I’m about 30 sits in and I have never received that.

They must know that I am the kind of slob that needs those pointers then…

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Haven’t got it either. :slight_smile:

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I think the official “sitter checklist” is intimidating. Keeping it simple is probably best, The problem is probably “hinting” rather than straight out saying what you want. If you want the home vacuumed and the counters wiped down, that what you should say straight out, and probably mention as part of the video chat and definately in your guide.

I have my own little exit checklist in my word document Welcome Guide. (I gave up on the hard to edit official one.) The checklist is relatively short but includes the basics but they are written the way chores on a roommates or family chorewheel might be written in steps: wipe down counters in the kitchen, make sure no dirty dishes are left in the sink, vacuum kitchen floor, go over with the wet-mop.

Cleaning…the never ending forum!

Lots of forums on this in THS…and they are all entertaining!

You got me! I didn’t recognize it as ChatGPT.

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Hi Maria/Mike, To me this feels like you are treating your sitters like employees or children. To me it is important that sitters to feel valued, and supported rather than just accountable. TBH how they live daily is none of my business unless they are damaging property, not caring for my pets, or disturbing the neighbours. The key here is to ask sitters to leave the house the way I left it. I am not overly fussed if it is not up to my standard (I have been told I have very high standards). If my pet is relaxed and healthy and the house in reasonable shape I am happy. If sitters have left the home in a disgusting state - I would collect evidence, send them pictures of your areas of concern, and write an honest review for other home owners.

Oh, I didn’t see this :sweat_smile:

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I’m just a sitter. Wasn’t meant to be taken seriously. :upside_down_face:

I have never received an emai like this - do you have the whole email? I wonder why they don’t send it to everyone?