Looking after my fiance's niece and the incurred utility costs

PlutoinCapricorn

It seems crazy to me when people turn the heating right up so that they can wear T-shirts. I feel really ill when I visit a centrally heated place, and get through mild winters with no heating in my flat. I agree that warm clothing is the way to go. A small child does need extra care, but I remember reading about some children who go to an ice school and never get ill because they are warmly wrapped up.

sulphate

fabforty wrote: »

Option 5 - fianc! gets a job. Anything, part-time cleaning, etc. Things wouldn't be so tight and you could worry less about the additional heating costs. Giving up work because you 'don't like the commute'...?
As for the heating, that is probably just a mix of inexperience and being over cautious on your fianc!'s part - 21 degrees is fine, as long as the child has appropriate clothes on - a vest, dress and cardigan plus socks and slippers. I would just turn it down TBH.

Have to agree with this also.

I don't like my commute either when I have to spend 2 hours in traffic due to an accident, but that's not a good enough reason to give up my job.

Assuming your fiance is looking for more work, surely looking after your niece will not be a permanent arrangement anyhow?

Suarez

Alikay wrote: »

21 degrees is OK if you're used to it but may be chilly for a little one who'll be down on the floor a lot of the time, especially if her own home is warmer.

Chilly? 18 - 21 degrees is the ideal temperature for children.

DKLS

McKneff wrote: »

JC!!! if you are going to be this picky, and you were my fianc!, a wedding would never, ever happen.

Just agree to turn the heating down a bit and forget about counting the cost.

Lighten up.....

This, after reading the OP, one of my grandfather's sayings come to mind,
The Op knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

To be blunt this would set off massive warning signs about the impending wedding and if it should go ahead or not.

fivetide

Suarez wrote: »

Chilly? 18 - 21 degrees is the ideal temperature for children.

This.


Kids aren't as good at regulating their temperature so it shouldn't be at 26 degrees because that is too hot.


Neither should it be too cold so 21, that you have it set at is fine.


As you said though you are tight! Rather than seeing this as a help see it as a chance to spend some nice time with your niece, I certainly wouldn't be charging for it. What do you do when people come to visit? £1 for a cup of tea? 50p extra if they want a biscuit?


Send the fiancee to work. I am sure she isn't out walking all day and might be in the house *gasp* with the TV etc on just burning money like there is no tomorrow. Not only would she be earning but your bills should also drop accordingly. win/win

Buzzybee90

Have to agree with the others, you sound rather militant.

Spend this time with your niece whilst she is little, you will not get another chance to get back this time - and think how helpful is for her mum, that joy should surely rule out any cost issues - though I agree 21 seems fine.

Alikay

Having re-read the thread, I've realised the OP's fiancee,(female) may be the one who is cold in the house. An 18 month old is unlikely to be able to articulate that she's cold and certainly wouldn't know how to crank up the heating to a scorching 26 degrees. Given that a lot of us females feel the cold a lot more that men, I think the OP needs to have a chat about heating costs and comfort levels. 21 degrees is how we keep our well insulated, mainly carpeted home but draughts, hard floors, interior decor on the cooler side of the spectrum and the occupants' preference and body make up can all effect what makes a comfortable ambience.

susancs

pollypenny wrote: »

You're helping the mother and its your house.

26 degrees is very hot, even for a little one. Is she just in tee-shirts ?

Dress her warmly, have rugs on the floor. Continue to enjoy her company.

I agree 26 degrees is very hot. Ideal room temp for a baby is 18-22 degrees. Had a quick google and Ealing childen's centres have heating maintained at 18 degrees (copied and pasted link and it is under orgainisation heading). I would be concerned that metal radiators or underfloor heating that hot may cause burns to the child if not covered and touched.
http://www.childrenscentres.org.uk/media/file/ey/EY_012_Recommended_Resource_List_and_Planning_the_Indoor_and_Outdoor_LE.pdf

Yu also may need to check the position with regard to having to register with OFSTED as providing childcare, if money changes hands. I know you will only be claiming expenses and usually close relatives are usually exempt from legally having to have a childcare registration when caring for a close relative, but I am not sure what the position is if money is invloved. As the website states payment as being money paid towards heating.
"Payment is defined as a ‘payment of money or money’s worth’................; it means payment for or towards the costs involved in the childcare, such as a contribution to heating and lighting.".
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-registration-not-required

I know it seems a bit OTT considering this and it may well be unlikely that anyone will ever find out that you are getting money towards the heating, but...............

I personally think it would probably be better to just ask for the child's mother to provide long sleeved tops, vests, tights for under leggings and a jumper or top that you can layer up as required. You never know it might well be that your OH enjoys it so much that she decides to become a registered childminder.

jemb

My OH is awful with the temp but calmed it as we have a 10 month old. The temp for her is meant to be between 16- 19 degrees. 26 degrees therefore is far too hot for a small person. I agree with the whole bring another jumper for her. Is it really the little one or your fiance that would like it warmer?

rpc

If your fiancee (are they male or female? your post is confusing) gets a job then not only will you have more money to spend but you can switch the heating off during the day! Fantastic!

I'm not too bothered about our utility bills, but the cost when my wife was on maternity leave over winter was horrendous! Even increasing her hours from three days to four, there's a noticeable reduction in bills.

I'm not sure you'll really find anyone that enjoys commuting, it's just something we do.