mothers helper / housekeeper

[SukieQ]

Hi - I've got a 14 month old and baby no 2 is on the way. Wanted to hire a mothers helper/housekeeper for 4 afternoons/evenings a week. Not sure about hours or pay. Does anyone have suggestions on what the normal situation is? It would be in London, live out, and duties would be daily cleaning, ironing, running errands, plus some light cooking and a bit of help playing with my daughter. Possible hours something like 11-7 or 2-7... I've not done this before so would be useful to know what set ups people have that work. Thanks!

Hi, trainee doulas seem to be popular around our bit of London. Charge about £10 an hour. But that's generally for a short-term arrangement, which lasts just the first few weeks while you find your feet.

HTH.

You could get a mother's help for those hours, but it might be difficult as after nursery/school hours are what lots of people look for so you'd need to pay a premium price.

If you offered the in-between hours, say 9-3 (or maybe 9.30 - 2.30), you might be able to find someone easier.

In london you'll be fine with either of those hours, both neighbours either side of me have mothers helps just in the afternoon and evening. You want someone at the end of the day to help with tea and bath etc and then look after the baby whilst you do story.
My neighbour to the right has someone 4-7 every day and pays £8/hour, the other neighbour has 1.30 - 7.00 (does nursery pick up then other stuff) she pays £10/hour but she can leave either or both child with the nanny whilst she goes out. The £8/hour lady couldn't have sole charge.
I'd stick an ad on gumtree and see what response you get.
I'm in NW6 by the way.

thanks that's really helpful. do you need to pay PAYE as well? the neighbour who has 130-7 every day, is the mother's helper the nanny? or does she have a mother's helper and a nanny? sorry if i'm being thick.

sounds good though. want someone to help be an extra pair of hands to free me up as I write, so I try to work in the evenings, which is better if I'm not up to my elbows in chaos as bubs heads off to bed, and my husband does long hours so leaves at 7 and isn't back by bedtime most days...and i have no family here... so i need help! £8/hour seems a fair price to me.

Question - if it were live in, what are the rates then? I don't think my husband would go for that though...