If you were expecting number three and already had four and two year old and could afford £2000 of help what would you get?

in all honesty, none of those

is your 4 year old at school/nursery or all 3 going to be at home all day?

My priority would be to my 4 year old some peer interaction, so into a nursery class (preperation for reception if not already in) and my 2 year old possibly into a half day playgroup, and maybe get a cleaner if I was struggling.

I could afford to pay someone, but wouldn't really want to - I would want to spend the time with my children - just get someone into to do the housework if you are not managing the house and the kids.

I have a 4yo, 2yo and 7mo old. If I had the luxury of spare cash I would pay someone to do the washing, including folding and putting away. We generate a lot of washing. A lot.

I wouldn't want to separate the children by sending my 2yo to nursery, I thought about it and am very glad I decided not to.

I think it depends - if you couldn't drive (like I couldn't!) how would you get your other children to holiday club etc. I think a lot depends on how you feel about someone else in your house/honestly think about what would be your dream situation

I also think that the above post is a bit judgemental - not all maternity nurses are old fashioned and interfering!

Cleaner and home help.

In my experience maternity nurses are old fashioned and interfering. Enjoy your time special with your newborn and pay for help with the rest of the running of the household so you don't have to worry.

I am in a very similar position.

I am going to:
Put 2yr old into childcare 2 full days a week
Put 5yr old 2 days holiday club in school hols (baby due July)
Hire a cleaner for 2 x 3 hours a week to clean and do laundry (mainly put children's clothes away).

When I had my 2nd DC I hired a mothers help for 20 hours a week but I found it didn't work too well as I could not relax/sleep with the new baby whilst toddler in the house. I ended up spending a fortune paying mileage and soft play entry fees to get them out of the house when what would have been better was a nursery/childminder!

Postnatal doula

Or mothers help type person PT for 3 months to help cook, clean, muck in with the older ones and hold the baby while you shower.

I doubt you want an au pair as they need a fair amount of handholding.

Nursery or childminder and a cleaner and someone to make hot meals would be fantastic.

I think i would prefer to put the other two in nursery of CM a couple of afternoons a week for a longer period to let you rest, bond with baby and catch up on household tasks.