Emergency childcare needed during recovery

[BettyAll1]

Last weekend I suffered a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot on my lung). I’m in my mid 30s and while I hope to make a speedy and full recovery (I was fit and well before it happened), I have no idea what my road to recovery will look like.

I have 2 young children - a 4 year old and a 9 month old baby who I look after all week (my 4 yr old goes to pre school 3 days a week).

My husband has taken the week off so we can sort out emergency childcare options.
In an ideal world friends and family would chip in to help but I don’t know if I’ll need help for 3 weeks or 3 months yet. I would also need full time help as at the moment, I’m scared to be the only adult around in case anything happens and I need to be rushed back to hospital. Neither my parents or in laws are available /capable of helping.

I’d like to see my children still (rather than send my baby to a nursery or increase daughter’s pre school days), but if we get a nanny they’d have to hang out with me and surely no nanny would want to hang out with the children’s ill mum as well right!?

A bit stuck on this one, any ideas? Do I just bite the bullet and put the children in full time nursery care (while I sit alone at home feeling miserable), or keep trying to find a nanny that wouldn’t mind me being around too? I can do most things but I’m in pain, a bit breathless and have a nasty cough

Yeah a nanny would be perfect if you can afford it

Get well soon

What about trainee nursery nurses? Maybe local college can help? Sorry if that sounds a bit bonkers but what a tricky situation.
I hope that you get well soon

How about hiring a mother's help - would be cheaper than a nanny.

@Gemma2019 thanks for the suggestion, what does a mother’s help do? Is it more housework and chores etc?

I think you just put out a recruitment advert with details of what you require.

There was an advert on indeed recently for a nanny for an 18 year old student. The parents wanted to ensure they ate properly. If you are paying the right price you can ask them to do anything within reason. There’s not a rigid list in any job description generally.

your husband will be entitled to carers leave of some form.

@LouLouLoupee I have done this and haven’t had any takers yet. Was wondering if the fact I’ll be around but am ill is putting people off. I might try and call a couple of agencies tomorrow. P.s the nanny for an 18 year old is insane

@FREEM unfortunately he works for himself so needs to be back working again on Monday.

A mother's help is someone who helps the parent with all aspects of the day - feeding, taking kids out, nursery pick ups/drop offs, playing with them - anything you need really. Normal pay is about £9 or £10 per hour. There are loads advertising on childcare.co.uk

Hope you make a full and speedy recovery

Emergency nannies are used to having a parent at home. I am about to leave for an emergency nanny placement today with a toddler, baby and a mum at home.

It can be a awkward but it can also have the benefit of some 1:1 time with each child depending on what the parent is able to do - reading a book to a pre-schooler let's them have some 1:1 time together.

I get most of my emergency childcare work via Childcare.co.uk and local Facebook groups. I'm on Surrey/Berkshire border, so a popular commuter area. Finding an emergency nanny may be tricker if in a rural area but it's worth a look where-ever you are.

Be open to having several people involved, as emergency nannies may not be able to all week. I have permanent work a couple of days per week so do emergency cover only on 3 days of the week.

Thank you everyone that’s all really helpful x

I've done childcare for a family with an Ill parent but as s childminder. I would pick him up take him out and to groups and drop him home but wouldn't stay at the parents home. Have you tried childcare.co.uk for a nanny?