Advice needed from nannies of three or parents with nannies of three.

[IcanandIwill]

I'm considering a nanny. I have three DC who are 6,2 and 8 months. DH was killed in a car crash 8 months ago.

What I'm really trying to figure out is what my expectations can be of a nanny with three charges. It's likely to be shared care but I also need rest (3 non sleepers). What can I expect realistic duties to be with three to care for?

I'd like to return to work part time at some point but this really hinges on having the right care in place.

With regard to hours I was thinking of four long days. Advice, thoughts, input all appreciated!

I think you are right to be honest. I also think it would be too much to expect the little ones to accept another person living in our home. But maybe in the future.

Budget is not set in stone. Right now it's about deciding what we need and this is a need. I cannot cope for much longer.

as others have said i dont think an ap will ease the burden as it will be another person for you to have to look after and i feel at the moment having someone come and live in your house for prob a year and then leave wouldnt help your children

you also need to feel confident as who will be having sole charge care of your children when either trying to rest/go shopping alone etc and again i feel that an ap wont be your best bet

maybe a nanny and prehaps a mothers help instead of your cleaner may work - she will do the cleaning but also some child care

or have you said to your cleaner if she would be happy to spend a few extra hours a week helping you with childcare

if you can afford a nanny even if you have a temp nanny for a few months to help get yourself sorted esp if you are not sure if you want to def go back to work yet

I dont know what you financial sotuation is like but the cost difference between an au pair and a live out temp manny is enormous. Au pairs (and nannies) come in all shapes and sizes. I currently have an au pair whose reference was quite frankly so bad I very very VERY nearly pulled the offer.

Three months in and she's absolutely fantastic in so many ways. I cant imagine anybody more helpful. She is not extremely Experienced so sometimes asks a lot of questions. But tries really hard, is very industrious, and is really good with the kids, and is eager to learn. I love her!

So i disagree that au pair equals another child and nanny equals super help. Some nannies are great. But some are not. If cost is no object a live out nanny might suit you. But i would urge to consider if you might like help in unsociable hours, in which case i think live in has significant value.

Perhaps its not for you. But i believe having a live in makes my life soooooo much easier.

Oh my gosh, what a dreadful time you are having. Of course you need adult help.

How about an older nanny, maybe someone who has had children of her own, and really knows about running a home and isn't precious about it? I say that because younger nannies tend to want to do childcare first and foremost and household chores second, whereas your DCs, with only one parents, really need to maximise their time with you and therefore you probably ought to be trying to offload the burden of running a home more than offloading childcare. Does that make sense?

Icanandiwill.

Firstly condolences, I am working with a family and the first time mum unexpectedly died when their DD was 5 weeks old, it has been a rough 5 weeks.

Have you considered a night nanny to help with the night waking focussing on 1 DC at a time?

Do ask your cleaner if she would like to help you and does she know of sensible help as she is familiar to you and the children.

You don't say why nursery isn't working for you, maybe that additional house and child help would make it more workable.

Gosh MNP how awful. That must be so, so hard.

My two year old has never really settled at nursery, she struggles with separation anxiety (understandably) and I actually find it really hard going after a rough night to get everyone where they need to be. It seems to make life harder and more stressful, not easier. This is where the grief mixed in with exhaustion really bites me on the bum.

I've thought about a night nanny but the toddler particularly won't settle for anyone else. Not even my Mum. Mostly I think she wakes for reassurance and I get that she needs that. I may make a few phone calls though. Perhaps it is worth considering. God knows I'm so much more capable of facing the day after a reasonable amount of sleep!

Given the separation anxiety I definitely think you would be better off getting household help leaving you more time to spend with the children. Your toddler will be very difficult to settle with a new nanny, and as you are there in the house I doubt you would feel able to listen to her being upset.

I took on a nanny role with 3 children and a very stressful family situation. I hate to say it but I left after 5 weeks. Their mother was at home as you will be, and the children just weren't happy to be with me and not her. There was terrible behaviour that I couldn't control and lots of crying. Anything really to get their mother, who was the person they needed at a difficult time.

I know they need me but I am totally exhausted and can't give 100% of me day and night. Thats the problem. I'm giving everything I can already and often reach breaking point. What I need is a more long term solution.

You really need to get some sleep or you will go insane

You can either get a night nanny in to help your children to get back into a routine and sleep therefore you can sleep (then again if you are anything like me I couldn't sleep more then 2/3hrs every night and didnt for at least 8mths) :(

Would go to bed shattered but couldn't settle - tbh I think I was lonely ad missed having someone in bed with me :(

Or you can get a daytime nanny so that you can rest which will then make the nights easier when coping with your dc

Sleep deprivation is the worst thing and can make you feel like a real zombie. Tbh looking back I don't know how I coped working 7-7 four days a week on so little sleep / but you do :(

I wish I was closer to you so I could help

Have you thought about counselling for either your children (winstons wish is meant to be very good) and also for yourself / it's good to talk to someone completely out of the picture

I have been in your shoes :( and the way I dealt with things had a lot to do with counselling

Also don't know if you have joined way / but all have local group and meet up and maybe this will also help your children by seeing that there are others who have sadly lost their dad as well

((Huge hugs))

Thanks Blondes. I think daytime help is the answer. Nights are long and hard for so many reasons. I don't think I'd settle anyway. It's the overwhelming exhaustion of grief, a baby and a toddler.

What I find that people who haven't been there don't get is just how exhausting grief alone is. It's physically debilitating in its own way. That's something in going to have to be really clear with when recruiting.

I'm waiting on a new counsellor at the moment and the children do go to a lovely child bereavement centre. In all honesty that's what's held me together.

Thanks. I have a few meetings over the next few days that should help me make some more permanent decisions. I suppose it's going to be a tough job for someone to walk into our broken little family. It's about finding the right person x

youve hit the nail on the head - overwhelming exhaustion of grief that is so true, and tbh unless you have gone through what we both have then people dont really understand

how can they, when havnt been in our position :(

im glad you are both getting counselling - as i said that what held me together, esp in the early days-i saw someone from cruse for over a year

Would you think about a nanny for 6 months and then perhaps look at a mothers help? It sounds like you need to look after yourself mentally and physically and that's incredibly hard with 3 young children, especially non sleepers.

For the 6 months that you have the nanny, get out on your own while you can (every day) even if it's just for a walk or to meet friends or go to a gym or have a swim etc. In other words give yourself a break and do things for yourself. Or even have a nap for an hour? It would still be shared care but the nanny would do the vast majority while she/he was there.

Never underestimate the effect that lack of sleep can have on your ability to function or on your mental and physical well being.

Wishing you well.

IcanandIwill, I am in a different but in many ways similar situation. Just wondering whether you had put anything in place re nanny etc. and if it was working.

I'm so sorry for your loss.