I got a promotion at work! Yay! But I don't get to work from home anymore and I'll have longer hours. Boo. (But I still have flex-time so I can go to all the kids field trips and sneak out for the occasional ride).

Being ambitiously working parents with young kids, we've decided to take what little raise I'm getting to use on a cleaning service. I want to spend my time at home with the kids and not doing chores. And a clean home just feels so good.

I have a couple of questions:
1) do you tip?
2) how often does one generally have their home cleaned?
3) Do cleaning services pick-up or just clean (dust, mop, vacuum)?

Anyone else have or have had a cleaning service? What was your experience like? Pros/Cons?

Thanks!

p.s. A little raise in exchange for giving up working at home may not seem like the greatest move, but, I've gone from being at the top of my pay-grade to the bottom of a new pay scale where my earning potential has now tripled. And I'll have much more creative freedom and control (control! Mwha-hahahaha!).