Mother's helper questions, help!

[cakehappy]

Just hoping for some advice! I've got a 2.5 year old DS, he is in nursery 2 days a week, I also have a 10 week old DD. My DH works, I run my own business from home, but have closed down whilst having our DD. I can take a little more time off but eventually need to start up my business again, in about 3 months. I will need to work about 10 hours a week from the home on the computer and about 1 day out at meetibgs, ect...and I need to sort out childcare to do this. I also would love a bit of help around the home as well. I ideally need someone to come to me or have someone live in as I'd like to keep DD at home until she is at least 1 yr old before i send her to nursery. An au pair isn't an option as they at times will have sole charge of the youngest, and I've been told that is in advisable...and unfortunately I can't afford a nanny:( Which leaves a mother's helper but I have alot of questions regarding this!! What is the real difference between mothers helper and au pair? Can you get live out mother's helpers? What is the actual duties of a Mother's helper? would it be unfair for a Mother's helper watch children whilst the parents work? Any advice would be appreciated!!

In my view a mothers help

• works alongside mum.
• may have small amounts of sole charge care of children, if competent to do so.
• does mostly household related tasks.
• so may do things like school drop/collection.
• vast majority live out.

Why do you feel you can afford a mother's help but can not afford a nanny? Nannies can start off quite low salary, a bit above NMW. You may not need someone with vast experience, lots of qualifications. You do however at the sound of it need someone who knows about babies, whom you feel confident to leave your DD with.

Job titles interchange... nanny is more descriptive of what I think you want given that you need someone to do mostly childcare.

What budget are you looking at for employing someone (per hour/per day/per week/per year)?

How would the 10 hours working at home be split... all one day, 2 days, more? The more flexible you can be with that the more it might fit with someone... possibly with someone who has a school aged child perhaps? Would you consider someone who may bring their child to work with them during school holidays?

Thanks Nannynick!
I'm looking at MH only because as i understood they earn £130-£180 a week for 35-50 hours plus room&board, whereas a nanny commands aprox £300.00 a week as a start salary but lives out. I'd ideally want someone to come in and not have someone to live in our house...in a perfect world I would love a nanny but can't afford his/her salary.
My business is tricky part as the 10 hours minimum are split over the week days but I often need to work an extra hour of work here and there and often on Saturdays. My business is an order fulfilment type so when someone orders something, I have to make / fufil that order which takes time so I never know how much/when I will get an order( online shop) which is the attraction of having someone there full time so I can work but keep my eye/ be there for the kids if they need me.
It's a bit challenging to find the best solution...

Budget wise I've got about £600.00 a month and would be open to being flexible!

Gosh I think you want a lot for very little.

You're going to see where you can compromise.

Either flexibility, living in, cost, etc.

You want someone to be available full time, come to you home but you're not paying for the time on standby. I don't know many childcarers who can afford to do that.

If you are able/willing to somewhat flexible, you may find a childcare/education student who would be willing to do those hrs for you?? They could give you their availability for the term/semester so you would be able to plan when you would have help to fill orders?? Am sure they'd love to fill in the hours they aren't studying, would possibly be happy to work here and there and you could get them to help out with basic household tasks if work is not so busy :)

Call local colleges/unis and ask the education dept if they can advertise your role once you work up an ad!

Thanks everyone

I know I have to be flexible, it's tricky trying to run this type of business and raise children! I believe the live in option is what is what I will have to compromise on. I'm anxious about having someone live with us but I'm willing to give it a go, needs must and all! Could be the best thing ever!!