Aupair for 16 month old triplets for 3/4 hours every week day?

[moonriver49324]

Before she sadly passed, my MIL would watch the LOs for 3/4 hours every weekday (between nap time and dinner), I used this time to catch up on sleep and work on my writing (freelance journalism). My husband and I would share the night shift and then I would be up with them from around 6 am until 2 pm when my MIL would arrive.

I’ve been struggling to cope without those 3/4 free hours on weekdays and I fear I may completely break down soon. I desperately need help but I can’t afford a nanny or formal childcare for three children. We have a granny annex attached and so I looked into au pairing (I did it myself for a few months when I was 18) but I saw that it is not advisable for pre-school age children.

Does it make any difference that I would only need the au pair for 3/4 hours on weekdays, and that I would always be in the house with her?

I’m getting pretty desperate for help as I have no other options!

Honestly I think yo u were ridiculously fortunate to have someone, anyone, watch triplets for 15-20 hours a week so you could do your own thing. Def not reasonable to expect an au pair to take that on

Can DH do anything about his hours so he's hoke earlier or drop one day of it means you get a bigger chunk of work time?

Can you consider it an investment to look at paid sleep training support if you're up so much in the night that you need to sleep every day?

Is DH doing a share of nights at the weekend so you can catch up or letting you lie in?

Why not get a mothers help wHo is a more mature person with more experience and then just make sure you are always near by
I can't imagine how hard it must be and I'm not surprised that you need a break. Just think about how to get it in a safer way

Au pairs can only look after kids 2 years plus. Absolutely not ok for a teenager to look after that many young ones. This can’t be safe at all.

A half day at nursery two afternoons a week? With tax free childcare would be around £500 per month where I am. You'd spend around that hosting an au pair I'd expect?

I'm sorry for the loss of your MIL, how lovely that she spent so much time with your kids.

Is there anyway you could get help with anything else ? Something that would be easier to get help,with such as cleaning or gardening. Are there any other changes you could make in your lives to make things easier? Online shopping, bulk cooking, etc I'm sure you've already done this though!!!

I'm not surprised you are feeling overwhelmed though. I can't imagine having triplets.

Get a sleep trainer in.

costly but worth in money time sleep and sanity

what area are you in

i know a few as I’m a maternity nurse

feel free to message if want to chat more