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jannyfa Asked February 2020

Caregiver is putting her feet upon my couch how do I handle this?

I don't know how to handle this. She is good with spouse but I can't stand
shoes on my furniture and I hate to complain.

Isthisrealyreal Feb 2020
Just tell them that you don't want shoes on the furniture.

Yuck! Walking through spit, dirt and who knows what else.

Who puts their shoes on someone else's couch? What else are they doing?

Getkicksonrte66 Feb 2020
Wishing this was my only problem 🙄

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lealonnie1 Feb 2020
I'd inform her of the new house rule: no shoes in the house. Please remove them at the door and be sure to wear socks.

Sunnygirl1 Feb 2020
Some people are clueless when it come to manners. I've seen dinner guests bring a dog to the dinner table to sit in their lap for the meal! Some people would consider that unacceptable, but, others, think it's okay. But, shoes on someone else's couch! Man, that's really rude. But, she probably doesn't know. People have insufficient parenting sometimes growing up and never are told what's proper.

If you tell her, she may accept it, or it might insult her. But, better she be insulted than you, who are the owner of the couch and the one who is paying her salary. lol

You could get a couch cover and put it on before she arrives. You can say that you decided to put it on since she enjoys resting her feet on the sofa so much. This makes you a thoughtful and kind person to be thinking of her. lol And, add, you wanted to protect the fabric. Then, later on, remove the cover and tell her you decided that slippers might be better and offer her a pair. It's a lot of trouble to go to, but, good caregivers are hard to come by. I'd try to keep her as happy as possible. Easier to replace the couch than a dependable, trustworthy, personable, caregiver.
NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2020
Sunny,

Especially with animals! I loved all of my animals but I always respected that not everyone in this world appreciates animals. I never brought my animals to other people’s homes. When I wanted them to have an outing I took them to the dog park.

I have a friend that has a cute little pooch. She took that dog everywhere! I told her very nicely not to bring her to my home because I owned a schnauzer that was very territorial. I did not want my dog to attack her dog. I did not want to upset my dog.

Did my friend listen? Hell no! She brought her little pooch anyway. What happened? My nutcase dog went ballistic! Then my friend got mad at me. I calmly looked at her and said, “This is why I asked you not to bring Missy to my house.” She got mad and left with Missy.

I warned my friend. She felt Missy was entitled to go anywhere she went. It was my house. She came anyway. I felt terrible that Missy got scared when my dog kept barking her fool head off. Let me tell you, I think my dog had brain damage! I did obedience classes twice with her, plus I paid a private trainer $25 an hour.

Nothing worked! I even bought that collar that squirted citronella scent to distract them if they bark. She didn’t care! She tried to terrorize other dogs at the grooming salon. She had to be quarantined from all other dogs! She couldn’t go to the dog park like my greyhound. My greyhound was an angel.

My schnauzer lived to be 13. I loved her but she was a constant challenge.
Getkicksonrte66 Feb 2020
Tell her to stop, state that’s not acceptable in my home.

JoAnn29 Feb 2020
I like Needhelps suggestion. Actually, its rude to do what she is doing anyway. You never put ur feet on other peoples furniture. That goes for coffee tables, etc.

I would ask her politely "could u please not put ur shoes on my furniture. I am a little OCD about it" "If you'd like to bring a pair of slippers, that would be OK".
NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2020
I was agreeing with bluefin. I think it’s worth a try, especially since she is otherwise satisfied with the care. Yes, it is rude to put feet on furniture but she most likely has a habit of doing it. The OP may want to avoid hurt feelings, offering slippers might help.

Personally, I think employees should be able to take constructive criticism. People get offended too easily these days, take things out of context too. Maybe not on purpose. Everyone is so stressed these days.
KatD81 Feb 2020
Have you asked her not to?
Otherwise, I'm not sure how she can know your wishes.
Mind-reading is above most people's pay grade.

needtowashhair Feb 2020
Ask her not to put her feet on the couch. Clear and effective communication solves a lot of problems.

NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2020
She’s in a habit of swinging her legs up on the couch. I do it too, but not with shoes. I love what bluefin has said about buying her a pair of slippers. She can be comfy. Spouse receives good care. Easy fix! Best wishes to all of you.

I love how thoughtful you are with your caregiver. I can tell that you don’t want to upset her. She shouldn’t get upset about this request.

bluefinspirit Feb 2020
Just ask her not to. Your house, your rules, and she'd probably appreciate the honesty. Or... Buy her a pair of slipper socks for being such a great caregiver. ;-)
Tothill Feb 2020
Hired caregivers have to wear proper footwear, at least in my Province. They cannot wear slippers in a clients home.

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