What am I looking for? Mothers help?

[theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Just taken on a huge piece of freelance work which is due just after Xmas and need to get some help in to get it done in time. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and I work from home. Right now I have cleaner once a week, my 3 yr old is in nursery 3 mornings a week. This rush of work will be over in 3 weeks but I will never get it done without some childcare in the meantime.

In a perfect world I'd like someone to play with baby, do nursery run (it's close), feed kids and make dinner plus stay on top of laundry and general chaos while I work from the bedroom. Flat is small and no room for live-in. Is this too much to ask of a mothers help?

you might find someone who would be willing to do it - particularly at this time of year with xmas so close. Most people don't like having a parent working from home, particularly in a small house/flat but as it's only temporary you might get lucky!

I would try childcare.co.uk, and yes, advertise for a temporary mother's help - maybe another mum with a child? might be worth asking if the nursery know of anyone.

other option is a cm with a vacancy from now until xmas - some of us have mindees booked to start jan but maybe a place free now - check your local fis cm list. you could ask your cleaner to come in more often if she was available and if you go with the cm option? but with the dc out at a cm even if working from home you may find you get a little bit of time anyone to put a wash on etc especially as its only a flat.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice that's really helpful. Can understand why someone wouldn't want to work with a parent there all day, I wouldn't, but thought that there are rules about being left alone with young children unless you have specific qualifications? My youngest is still Breastfed so I'd like to be close by, I actually have a garden office which is currently full of toys and assorted crap but I could clear it out, stick a heater in and use that. I can imagine it would be hard to keep the kids away from me if they know I'm there.

Cleaning is not the biggest problem really, my cleaner does a good job of the heavy stuff and DP pulls his weight at weekends it's really just toys and the neverending laundry plus picking up after their mealtimes. I need to concentrate for this project and am constantly distracted picking things up to stop chaos reigning.

How much should I offer for someone as a mothers help?

Anybody can be left with a baby, if we needed qualifications then parents wouldn't be allowed to take babies home

I worked for a woman in a similar set up for two years, I leave at Christmas, some people don't mind Mum there as much, though it's hard to find!

I really think you will get more work done with them out of the house! but if you want a mother's help, how much to pay depends on whereabouts you are.

Have a look on childcare.co.uk. Many mother's helps won't have qualifications and no, you don't need qualifications to be left with young children, it's more about common sense and life experience. But it's up to you to check they are dbs checked and check out their references.

If I'm perfectly honest, working with a mother who is breastfeeding in a small flat would be my idea of hell. Your 3 yea old will constantly want to come to you and your 1 year old will have you coming out to breastfeed and then going in another room (and knowing you are in there!) The only time I could bear a job like this is when I first started out and was more of a mother's help and needed the experience.

Just advertise and see who comes forward. I think your best bet is a temporary childminder however! Good Luck.

As reet said a small flat , you working , a baby wanting feeding and 3yr wanting you may be hard work for a nanny/mh

Working in garden may help - or going to sb may help if have someone in your home

Or check with cm in your area

Yes anyone can be a nanny so if you find someone yourself check their ref - that they have first aid - DBS - insurance

If you urgently need a nanny then worth calling agencies near you

What area are you in?

Maybe be nannies or cm on here who can help for a few weeks