mother's help - what do they do?

[DonnyLass]

keep hearing friends say they want one ... what do they do and what is different to a childminer/nanny?

Fewer hours, no need for qualifications. Can be useful to say pick a child up from school or be an extra pair of hands in the pre-bedtime hours. I think they can often be older women whose children are grown and who don't want to be childminders.

A mothers help I feel is someone who is there to help you around the home, with housework and help with the children - but not sole charge.

They differ from an au-pair in being able to work for as many hours as you require, as they are not in the UK to learn the language and culture.

A nanny is primarily to care for your children. While they may do some light housework, it is only such that is associated with the care of the children - so things like loading/unloading dishwasher, sweeping floor under dining table, children's laundry.

A childminder provides childcare, at their home... not the child's own home.

If you want childcare: Nanny or Childminder
If you want housework: cleaner or mothers help
If you want someone to play with the children and do a little tidying: au-pair

We had an 'aide-maman' a few years ago. Went through a local language school - she was about 17 - stayed for a few weeks over the summer really to help improve language skills. No qualifications as such but the school checked her (and us) out - and she had to do some study work whilst here. All worked out very well. Not done for a couple of years but since we added ds4 in between and we are staying at home this year we are having another one. Main task is to keep the 2 yongsters occupied and maybe do some light chores (bit of ironing / tidying) but to be honest as long as she can keep them entertained its worth it for us. We are planning day trips out to wildlife parks, cycling and stuff like that she'll join in as 'one of the family' so to speak. No pay expected / provided so it can be quite cheap - relatively short time we are having ours for 3 weeks - helps break up the Summer period - even though DW is a teacher - nice to have a bit of help. Plus we can also spend a few hours off ourselves knowing they are cared for - won't be all day - a few hours off works well - plus maybe some evening baby sitting.

We used this site advertised originally via Primary Times magazine.