mother's help and working from home

[jamsandwich]

Can anyone help me understand how this actually works?!

I understand that a MH shouldn't be in sole charge, so as DH will be working from home while I'm at work, he is technically available during the time we would have a child carer around. Which is why I've started wondering about saving some cash and going for MH rather than nanny. But does it mean he should be in a nextdoor room, ready to drop what he's doing every 15 minutes? Or can he work for a 90 minute stretch, say, without checking in on what's going on? His study is on 2nd floor, so he can hear any crying or, heaven forbid, shouting that could go on, but wouldn't exactly be right there. I just can't see how he could get any meaningful work done (phone calls and writing mostly) if he had to be totally accessible.

I know it must depend hugely on the person we found, but can anyone explain to me how this arrangement works in their lives?

Don't know but I am watching with interest.

As I understand it mh works alongside a parent so their role may include short spells of sole charge (eg. If parent taking other child to schooletc) but also do other household tasks.

If your dh is at home then there is a sole charge element (it doesn't work if he is trying to work and half supervise someone else).

Tbh maybe a nanny with less experience might work as your dh is around to supervise moe (ie at lunch etc) but it isn't really a mothers help role as I understand it if it does involve long stretches of sole care.

More here www.bestbear.co.uk/parents/childcare-info/mothers-help.aspx

I should add that DD is 17 months and I'm thinking of working 4 mornings a week - DH does school run, carer arrives and starts with breakfast if DD woke up too late for it before school, or straight into playing if she's sorted. A couple of nappy changes, bit more playing, lunch and I'll be back in time for nap and school pick up.

Why are you needing to know - are you at the stage of composing a job ad?
If so, then maybe use Nanny/Mothers Help in the title and describe the duties.
I feel it's more a nanny role, as while daddy is in the building, he isn't really available to provide care.

All these various names for jobs I feel is unhelpful. Care outside of child's home = Childminder (or Nursery) Care at child's home = Nanny. That would be simpler.

Nannies come in all varieties - some have qualifications, some have experience, some have both. Levels of experience and suitability/level of qualification will vary.

What perhaps you are wanting is a nanny who may be in their first/second job, someone still gaining experience. The job sounds lovely as a way of gaining experience as they are mostly in sole charge, though daddy is in the 'office' should anything crop up that they need urgent help with.

Thanks for suggestions - I think you're right, it would work well for a less experienced nanny.

I'm still interested in hearing from anyone though who uses a mother's help while they work from home - just to be nosey about how much work they can actually manage to do!

I work at home part-time. DD will start nursery for a couple of mornings a week in Feb, but until then am thinking of employing a babysitter/mothers help for a couple of hours a week.

I'll expect them to play with the baby while I work, but will be in the next room and able to drop work immediately if needed - my expectations are to get an hour's work done for every 2 hours she's here. I'll check out the link describing mother's help duties as ideally I'd like some ironing/hoovering done if DD is asleep/being difficult.

I worked as a mother's help abroad when I was 17 - I used to babysit two toddlers while the mum looked after the baby. We both did bits and bobs of housework too.

Have seen an ad from a gap year student looking for childcare work (unqualified but babysitting experience), so will see if she's interested.