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

PlutoinCapricorn

Alikay wrote: »

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.

Good point. I am not a man, but when I worked in offices I used to feel stifled and uncomfortable as The Women always wanted the windows closed! I am so happy now that I work at home and can have all the open windows and icy blasts I want. Heat does rise, so a small child on the floor may feel a little cold.

Buzzybee90

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Good point. I am not a man, but when I worked in offices I used to feel stifled and uncomfortable as The Women always wanted the windows closed! I am so happy now that I work at home and can have all the open windows and icy blasts I want. Heat does rise, so a small child on the floor may feel a little cold.

I am often freezing when boyfriend claims he is "boiling", I don't understand it.

duchy

It isn't about the heating though.
The OP agreed they would babysit once a week and has now realized it comes with costs . He knows there is going to be a "blazing row" because he wants to back out of the agrangement and knows his fiance and the baby's rather who is apparently struggling (and by extension their family) are going to be at best displeased with him.
He's immature enough to turn to a forum first rather than speak with his partner about the situation-and doesn't understand how much a unit of gas costs .

This has nothing to do about babysitting and heating and everything to do with his perception that his partner isn't looking for work and expects him to carry her 100%.

Person_one

CH27 wrote: »

The OP is worried about money now his girlfriend has stopped work & I don't blame him.
£30 per month spare is precious little.

Then discuss it with her calmly and sensibly! Should be simple, but he's already planning his 'heated' argument and talking about billing the child's mother based on his meter readings!

Birdie85

I don't understand how having the heating on for a day can cost so much?! Tell your fiancee to not have it quite so high, or to only turn it up for a little while to get a quick blast to warm up (as it does get cool if you're sitting around all day, even at a 'comfortable' 21 degrees) buy a blanket for the LO to play on and stop being quite so tight. She's 18 months old and babysitting should be a pleasure, not a meter watching exercise! I'm sure the little girl's mother would be mortified if she knew how you felt!

Raspberry_beret

Wow, I think 21 degrees is plenty warm enough. During the entire winter with my DS when he was a little baby the house was set to 20 degrees and that was absolutely fine in clothes plus a fleece blanket. 26 would be far too hot (and I'm a really cold person!).

I totally understand why you are concerned about the extra heating etc given that will put you into a negative every month (£10 a week extra with only £30 per month spare). I can't see why people are saying you're tight when your fiancee has given up work due to not enjoying her commute and both of you have to live somehow on your wages, it sounds like you're being very sensible. I think your fiance should get a job, even just a few hours a week in a bar/restaurant would help massively with the finances (apologies if she is already tryig to find work).

However, I'd do whatever you can to not ask your SIL for the money - sounds like things might be tight for her too and it is a lovely thing you are doing for her (and most importantly for your niece), it would be such a shame to risk a falling out over a relatively small issue. It sounds like £2 petrol is doable and the heating can be scaled back. It might be a good idea for your fiance to take her niece out (£1 for children's centre or group where I am) for part of the day, it means the heating can be switched off and it'll feel warmer when they get back in from the cold outside (and I'm sure children's centre's won't have heating on at 26 degrees!).

If you're worried about the toddler getting cold (which tbh, at 21 degrees and normal winter clothing - trousers, long sleeved top and jumper etc is unlikely imo) you could buy her a fleecey onesie type thing. I found these really useful when DS was that age - buy one plenty big enough (ebay/freecycle/charity shop) and stick it on over clothes if needed. Add slippers. I used to send DS to the childminder in clothes plus fleecy onesie plus coat on top when it was really icy cold as they'd do the school run and he'd be in a buggy. They're also great as you can pop the child in their carseat in them with no issues (you shouldn't put a baby/toddler in a carseat with a bulky coat on as you can't get the straps done up tightly enough to do their job in an accident).

SmlSave

Am I the only one thinking that poor child in a room at 26 degrees? My kids would be throwing up from getting overheated.

I don't think that the op should ask for costs because of the utility use. I think their partner should promise not to go any higher than 21 degrees.

Silly people calling the op tight, why be on a ms website if you don't support people actually being money conscious?

hazyjo

My house (and previous house) is very warm - even now, the thermostat mainly sits on 18 degrees (with no heating on). I start feeling cold of an evening and it goes on to 20 - sometimes 21 if it really needs a boost, but usually is way too hot and back down to 19/20.


I REALLY feel the cold. I hate wearing jumpers and sleeves, etc indoors and always wear a top more suited to summer (we're all different!).


Saying that, I did live in a Victorian house before those two and it was FREEZING (despite being a terrace). The heating was regularly on 24-25 degrees, and even then some bits were freezing and draughty.


It might be that you have draughts you've not paid much attention to. Does your front door open straight into your house, or do you have a porch of sorts? Double glazing? Open fires/chimneys? Is it all open plan? High ceilings? From my experience with my house and last one, 20 degs is perfect. 21 if freezing. Any more than that, and the way you heat your house needs looking at.


Jx

rpc

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I suspect millions of others too survived similar conditions without detriment to their health.

And millions didn't.

Gloomendoom

Person_one wrote: »

Times change, all the 'in my day' reminiscences are a bit pointless, aren't they?

Not at all. Human physiology hasn't changed much in 50 years.