Mothers help, how did it work for you?

[Geranium1984]

Hi, I'm due my second baby in November and have no family nearby to help out.
We have a mothers help lined up to come two days a week when I'll have my 2yo and the baby at home so I can have some decent 1:1 time with the toddler and if all goes well, be able to take him out for an hr or so on our own.

I imagine it'll be a bit of an evolving role with me taking care of the newborn most of the time at first whilst she entertains the toddler and helps with keeping us all fed. Then when the baby is a bit older, helping with routine, prepping food for weaning and all the clean up involved in that.

I wondered if anyone had any experience of having a mothers help. Any tips on how it went well (or badly?). How did you best split the mum duties?

I'm also not sure about things like giving her a lunch break in the day. Was this arranged as a set time or do they just take a break when they can?

I am drafting a contract this week so any pointers would be much appreciated.
Xx

Looking into this myself. How did it go OP?

Do you also have a cleaner?

Hi, it's going well, thanks. Well, it was until the mother's help resigned last week, she's moving away 😭

She's been an absolute godsend, I don't think I'd manage without her.

Baby (now 4mo) has been very difficult. We've had difficulty feeding , reflux, colic crying for the first 12 weeks, won't nap in the cot, recently stopped feeding anywhere but dark bedroom 🤯🤯

Basically, she focuses on the toddler and I focus on the baby. She takes him to a music class or playgroup in the morning, does his snacks and lunch, puts him down for a nap and takes him to the playground or wherever in the afternoon. During the nap time she takes a break and has lunch, makes us a big batch meal or bakes, hangs out any washing and tidies the kitchen/living area. If I'm having a horrible day (like after immunisations) she'll make my lunch bring me a tea etc.

She sometimes takes the baby out for a nap in the pram while I ho to the playground or cafe with my toddler. Now baby can stay awake a bit longer the mother's help is starting to play with baby so u can spend more time with toddler.

If my husband has a work event in the evening the mother's help comes round and helps with dinner/bed/bath time.

I honestly don't know how people manage two on their own. My toddler is so loud and boisterous, and my baby is so fussy. How would I ever feed her or do a nap?!

Needless to say, we're currently searching for a replacement 😄

@Cloudhoppingdancer yes, we have a cleaner onceva fortnight. Mother's help will occasionally vacuum kitchen/living area if they've been doing a messy activity but not bathrooms or bedrooms.

@Geranium1984 how did you find your mothers helper? Interested in getting one but unsure how to find one!

Thanks OP. I read your update and found one who has been great here too.

Hi @QueenGoblin I found them through placing an ad on childcare.co.uk
Have also found a couple of good babysitters who are young but studying childcare at the local college, though our towns Facebook group.