Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

childcare advice please

11 replies

YeahCorvid · 01/02/2019 11:53

My children are 9 and 7 and spend half the week with me, half withtheir father. The school days they're with me, they usually go to an after school club and I've negotiated special hours at work so I can get bacj for 6 to collect them.
I've recently had to accept some meetings in the future which end in central london at 6 which means I'll be getting to them by 7.30 8 - if I can find child care.

Is there such a thing as an ad hoc childminder / babysitter who would collect them and feed them on certain days and be paid? Does anyone here work in that way?

I have asked their friends' mums to help out a couple of times before but I feel bad doing it as it's becoming more frequent and I can never reciprocate.

If I can't find a pro to do this:

If you were the mum being asked, how would you like to feel appreciated given that you're not a childminder and don't expect to be paid? (Or would you like to be paid?)

thanks!

OP posts:

Original poster

YeahCorvid · 01/02/2019 15:46

bump

OP posts:

Purplepricklesalloverhisback · 01/02/2019 15:48

I wouldn’t mind at all if the favour could be reciprocated and you would watch my DC for a few hours if I needed.

AdoreTheBeach · 01/02/2019 15:55

Do I take it from your OP that as the DC are with you for the school days, that it’s every weekend with their DF? If not, would offering friend’s mum Friday night or Saturday night babysitting in exchange work (sleep overs)? I think that would be quite a valuable trade.

Otherwise, any chance of changing arrangements for during the week so it reduces the number of times you need these extra hours?

Lastly, with the ages of your children do you have space for an au pair? Would solve this no problem, particularly should there be issues with the trains and you’re later than expected.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families

Original poster

YeahCorvid · 01/02/2019 19:41

Purpleprickles, I can't reciprocate. I work more than all the other mums, they are all part time or SAHDs and they don't need anything any of the times I am available.

Adore - I will try that. The thing is that all the children have siblings who don't know my kids so well /me so well / might not want to sleep over, so I haven't solved anything if the other mum still has a kid to "place"

I can't change the work situation. I've really pushed my luck that this has come up so little so far. There are two dates coming up in the next 6 - 10 weeks where I just HAVE to do meetings that end in town at 6. Literally the only alternative is to pull a sicky and I can't do that - certainly not twice.

OP posts:

shiningstar2 · 01/02/2019 19:51

Could you do a trade with your ex when you have these meeting. Him picking them up and giving them tea those nights and you giving him a Saturday or Sunday free?

shortgreengiraffe · 01/02/2019 19:56

There's a website called Sitters but not sure if they will collect from after school club.

Could their dad do it as an occasional thing?

Perhaps ask if any of the after school club staff do private babysitting and if so could take them home and look after them for a couple of hours.

Ask one of the school mums if they could do it occasionally for payment (not legal but who is going to care!) or a voucher for a takeaway or meal out?

Bumblebeeeee · 01/02/2019 20:14

I found a childminder that would do that through childcare.co.uk - you can out up your requirements

Di11y · 01/02/2019 20:19

if it's twice in 6 weeks and the friend is a good one I'd just buy wine/choc and invite out for drinks/dinner on you.

KokoLoko · 01/02/2019 21:51

I’ve done this for my/my DC’s friends and wouldn’t expect anything for doing it, although chocolate is always nice. I don’t mind being asked at all and will always help if I’m able. No harm in asking xx

Tiredeyes21 · 01/02/2019 21:56

I wouldn’t mind at all if I was a parent of their friends, Chuck in some wine and chocolates and I’d be over the moon.

I’d just throw it out there and ask, say you know it’s a bit cheeky and feel free to say no and you’ll throw in some wine and Chocos and see what they say. The worst the can say in no... and then you can explore other options

stinkypoo · 01/02/2019 22:07

I would do it f I could - I'm a full time working single mum too and there have been occasions when I've needed help mainly getting to school in the mornings when I was unable to drive for a while.
If there's ever any chance I can pay it back, or forward, I will offer. Eg I can't really offer anything through the week but sometimes a few hours at a weekend can really help other parents if there's something they can easily take 1 child to but not the other, or whatever.

Flip