I thought I needed a nanny but am not so sure now. Help?

[cantthinkwontthink]

Hello
I'm a stay at home mum and am feeling like I could really do with some help with my 2 kids.

I started thinking that I needed a nanny but having spoken to a few prospective ones about what they do, I'm not so sure anymore.

One of my kids has multiple food allergies to lots of everyday foods and I am not a very good cook at all and after 4 years of trying to 'adapt' recipes I have finally reached the conclusion that I am not capable of doing this.

My poor kids eat the same things day in day out and I really need some help with that side of things.

If someone could take the stress out of meal planning for the 4 of us and preparing for me that would make such a huge difference to my kids meals and my life. I'd also hope that by watching someone else I would learn how to prepare foods. I'd need help with slowly introducing new foods too.

So I'm not so sure I need a nanny but is there someone who would occasionally look after my kids, help with some chores and also cook our meals.

I'm sorry if I sound a bit dim or lazy but I really need some help but don't know where to start. Any help or advice would be great.

Many Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you need a daily housekeeper?

Or maybe a mother's help? Or an amazing au pair??

Thanks RandomMess.

Are there websites where they advertise? I'd looked at nanny/housekeepers but they seem to do more nanny work.

Yes - I'd say a part-time housekeeper if you want someone to physically come in the house and help you out.

However, you could probably get an awful lot of help from others on here re meals/food substitution/prep etc and it might not seem like such a huge hill to climb.

You could advertise on gumtree.com, childcare.co.uk, 'The Lady', local newspaper, local shops etc

You definitely need to hire a 'Housekeeper, with a little childcare' and not a nanny.

Thanks everyone.

I signed up for childcare.co.uk when I first thought I needed a nanny so as I've paid for the subscription, I'll start there.

Are there any other sites that I could also try?

Many Thanks again. You've all been really helpful.

Definitely a housekeeper or mother's help who is good with children - try gumtree, netmums and maybe The Lady.

Hi -have you looked at allergies section of mumsnet - they might give you some support. I wonder if some cooking lessons might be a good idea? i am sure there would be people who could help

Thanks Rubirosa.

AnotherName, I think that might be the thing to do. I have always assumed that as she has such a long list of foods to avoid that lessons might not be a possibility but I'll definitely ask on the allergies forum. Many Thanks for your help.

I had the exact same issue just before Christmas and no idea what to do, my hubby made me feel so lazy saying i needed a nanny when I?m a stay at home mum. One of the mums from the local school recommended www.richardsandreeve.co.uk , they are quite a small local based company i think? So the customer service i got was excellent, I got a mothers helper, Katie ,who literally is another me she?s fantastic will clean the bathroom, cook supper, take the kids to school, ironing etc! Best thing i have ever done!!!!!!

Yummymummy, wow, so pleased that you've replied.

Can I ask, how does a mother's help work? How many hours does she come in?
Do you have to employ her like a nanny?

I'll have a look at the link too but just wondered how you've arranged things with her.

Thanks so much again.

I've just looked at their website. We are in the greater london area and i notice that the company is based in warwickshire, so I'll see if there's anyone similar nearer us.
Thanks again.

Mothers Help would be an employee just like a Nanny. It's just the job description that would be different - a mothers help would be there to work more alongside you, rather than being in sole care of children. A mothers help may have more housework duties than a nanny.

nannynick, You're so so helpful and so well informed. Thank you so much

sorry posted too soon.

I meant to add, for the help and advice you give all of us. I've read so many of your replies and they're always so well put.

We luff him {{nannynick}}