Care for the odd hour or so - how do any other working mums cope??

[Tabbiesmum]

Hello! It's my first post but now that my husband can't do any nursery pick-ups and drop-offs, I'm sometimes stuck for the odd hour or two if I need to work or be somewhere else for a short time. Family would help for long periods but they all live over an hour away.

Has anyone got any tips about how to handle this?

Any thoughts appreciated!

[jules1972]

Im a nanny in Croydon and i find that a lot of peole are looking for this sort of thing. I work for 2 families doing this. There are websites that you can look on. What part of the country are you in?

[Tabbiesmum]

Ooh! Thanks! Strangely enough, I'm in Sutton - not far from you. Be grateful for website info!

[Ladymuck]

Try here . I've used them lots (am based in Purley)

[jules1972]

Send me an email to [email protected] and i'll see if i can help you!

[lunavix]

I'm a CM and I did this for a family. One parent worked days and one nights, and there was an hour or two crossover. At the start of the week they'd tell me which mornings/evenings I was needed, and phone during the week to add any more if they did extra.

I personally didn't enjoy it, although I feel the family may have been more of the problem - but that's another thread lol. However a few CMs around here do it too.

[Tabbiesmum]

Thank you ladies! I've had a look at the website, Ladymuck - looks pretty good - I'll give them a call.

Will also e-mail you jules1972 - thank for all your help!

Will be good for cover when we're struggling and we may even get a bit of social life back! Yay!

[franyfroo]

hi there. i am a childminder in south croydon area. feel free to call me if you ever need this kind of cover, i can usually help. www.jillyjays.co.uk

[Uwila]

My DH works away most of the week, every week. I also work full time. I have found the only solution for me is a nanny. I used to do the child care runs all by myself. And I was most certainly not a happy camper.

[ska]

Because of this type of thing happening to me I've set it up an internet based directory of babysitters: after school, evenings, weekends and am currently taking registrations from sitters uk wide. this service might help you in the future. if you wnat you can take a look here but not until saturday 12 August when it goes live. It costs £30 a year for parents to subscribe. It might not be of use to you at the moment (as it is so new we won't have many sitters yet) but in the future it might be helpful. I am targeting qualified child care workers to sign up. good luck!