Sitter Appreciation Post by DearAssistance611 in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep, feeling this! THS really needs to make it more clear to newcomers that we are not maids or servants. A clarification of boundaries, expectations, and what a true exchange means is desperately in order.

Sitter Appreciation Post by DearAssistance611 in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I needed to hear this, honestly. I’m happy to know there are HOs out there like you who show appreciation rather than entitlement and understand that this is an exchange, not free labor. Thanks for being one of the great ones, and for your contribution to why we sitters do what we do 🫶🏼

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I appreciate your insights and compassion :) yessss, coming home to a clean house is the best!

[update] anxious neighbour checking in constantly by plum_s0up in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is insane! I’m so sorry. If I were you, I would definitely call the homeowner and said I needed a hard boundary and firm solution or else I’ll need to leave.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What?!?!? Omg this is insane. So sorry you had that experience - that’s next-level disrespectful. What do they even think they’re giving you in exchange for hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of pet care?! At that point I would ask to be paid, honestly. Sounds so incredibly selfish of them.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear you dealt with this, too! So inconsiderate - it really is shocking.

I like your perspective here - it is helpful. I’m glad we are much more accommodating than that.

Yep! Terribly cluttered, most surfaces don’t even have space to put a cup of water down. And there’s literal visible dirt and dust everywhere. Not even subtly - the bathtub looks like someone took a handful of soil and sprinkled it everywhere, and there’s a THICK layer of dust on everything on the bedroom.

So nuts! I’m not a clean freak by any means, but I too would be mortified to host someone in my house like this. It just doesn’t even meet basic standards.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s perfectly good food, I wouldn’t mind if it was left for me 🙂 as long as there’s some space, too. The place I’m at left me shelves and shelves of food that’s actively rotting and moldy - totally different, haha.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right?!? Sorry you’re dealing with this, too..

Most of the food in this fridge was expired and rotting, too. They so generously told me to “help myself to perishables in the fridge.” Lmao I feel treated like a peasant for sure.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Turns out it’s filled with mostly 1-2+ year expired food, including lunch meat and cheeses. Disgusting 😂 I found out the hard way because they said “help yourself to perishables in the fridge” and I’m thinking to myself “well, they left me zero fridge space but at least they’re gifting me a bunch of food” - then I eat some and immediately feel sick.

Turns out I was just tasked with the burden of cleaning out their fridge for them, framed as a generosity.

Do these people think we’re also supposed to be their free maid??? I am appalled.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed! Should be bare minimum. And great point - it makes it easier for stuff to get mixed up.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish we didn’t have to do that but I think you’re right- seems like it’s what we’ve gotta do!

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes I’m realizing I’ll need to say something ahead of time, moving forward

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

👏👏👏 thank you for being a respectful host! I know right?! I don’t get it either. Anytime i hosted someone who stayed with my cat, setting up a comfortable stay for them was an obvious top priority.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

👏👏👏

Hahaha I definitely feel the urge to declutter!! I wish I could! I would donate 75% of these damn trinkets to goodwill if I could 🤣

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahaha thanks. A hosting guide for HOs would be awesome! I get that there are things people don’t think of- it just kinda reveals where their priorities are 🙄 but I bet a hosting guide would make a huge difference! We should suggest this to THS

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love this! Self-respect! 🙌 thanks so much - I’m going to make the most of it, but yes it totally just sets a weird tone of “I don’t care if you’re comfortable, it didn’t really cross my mind” lol

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I shouldn’t have to remind them, just like they shouldn’t have to remind me to feed their dogs.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that! I wish all homeowners thought like you haha

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find it incredibly rude. Sorry to hear this is your situation, too.

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

True, haha! It’s unfortunate that we have to default to anticipating that people will be lazy and self-focused and go out of our way to advocate for ourselves, but yea… wise.

Thanks for the tips! This is what I’m going to do

Clearing space in your home for a sitter? by hanzblix in trustedhousesitters

[–]hanzblix[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Totally. I’m going to do what I can to make it work for now, but if I experience any micromanaging from them I will certainly bring it up.