Childcare Suggestions

[Missi57]

I recently read the post on grandparents for hire and I'm really interested by this. I have 2 DC but don't have any family that can or want to help with childcare. From time to time I need to be able to go away and so really need a proxy-parent type - someone that can do the school runs/club/dinner/bedtime etc. My children are primary age so they have some independence about themselves - they don't need dressing, can get their own breakfast, etc. Its not frequent enough to require a full-time nanny but obviously more than a childminder. I have mentioned my needs to other parents at school but seem to draw a blank. I even said I need to 'rent a granny!!'. Obviously I wouldn't limit it to just a grandparent but flexibility is required.

Having been through a hellish 2 years after leaving a controlling relationship I really want to get my life back on track and I'm getting there albeit slowly. This is an area in my life that is such a challenge. Is anyone in the same position or have any suggestions for finding flexible childcare?

You need an Au Pair

If you've got a spare room then it's worth considering

Thanks - unfortunately I don't have a spare room. Because I only need someone about once a month I didn't know if I could find someone with such flexibility. Are there temp agencies for childcare???? As you can probably tell - I'm new to trying to figure this out!!

There are temp agencies. If you type part time nanny in your area into google lots come up. I'm sure if you specified your needs, however vague and irregular, someone will be able to help you. Maybe try childcare.co.uk

Thanks - I saw that website but then I saw a lot of other similar ones and couldn't figure out where to start!

You definitely need an AU pair, there are a lot of websites that helps you hire an au pair, have tried searching it on aupairworld site.

I found a university student living with their mum who lived near me. She was 21 years old, so I felt she was old enough and responsible enough to stay with my children. Also, of she didn't know what to do, she could reach her mum. I used childcare.co.uk. Paid for a month's subscription. Instead of posting an additional, I did a search by distance from from my home and sent a few messages to see if anyone was interested. It worked for her and me.

Sorry so many typos...

If she didn't know what to do....

I didn't post an ad...

That's exactly the sort of thing I need. You are the second person to suggest childcare.co.uk so I am assuming its quite a trusted site?? I did find out recently that I live in a really bad location for this type of thing but figured there must be somebody out there I can work with!!

I have to admit, my children were a fair bit younger than yours (1yr and 3yrs old) when I did this. For the first 6 months or so I just had her a night or 2 a week as a mother's help, for maybe 2 hours just to help with pick up, dinner, bath and bed. I got to know her quite well and she got to know the kids and their routine. I then would ask her to do the nursery pick up on her own and meet at my house. Then pick up and night routine alone. By the time they were 2yrs and 4yrs, she would occasionally stay until midnight when I got home from work during my busy periods (about 4 weeks a year). My husband was not around Monday to Friday at all.

By the end of it, when one of the boys had to go to A&E, I knew that she would be okay with the other until I got back.

It was a very informal arrangement. We agreed week to week the schedule depending on her uni classes and social schedule. Some weeks more, some weeks less. Some weeks not at all of we or she had holiday plans.

My friend used sitters.co.uk recently when she was stuck for childcare and said it was really good ( if a bit pricey) Might be worth a look

My son having 3 years of age has Swallowed a Cherry accidentally one and half hour before, he is well and sleeping as per routine. May it harmful ? or need any medical aid?