Need an auPair in London for 6-8 weeks. never had one before and have Qs!

[onyourmarks]

Hi
Am 33 weeks preg with DC2. DD1 goes to nursery 3 mornings a week. Mother in Scotland (bad time - just diagnosed with Cancer and big op next week so unlikely to be of help). Parents-in-law too selfish and useless to help their own daughter let alone me and live 2 hours away. C-section for me looking likely as i have placenta previa (being rescanned tho).

DH has just said to me:
"do you want me to take time off work when the baby is born?'

I looked at him aghast and mentioned it might be a good idea especially as someone would have to be there for DD when I am in hosp?

DH says "well you do realise that I wouldn't get paid?"
(DH works in film, is self employed so no paternity leave. Also him taking time off prolongs this assignment and narrows options for potentially big break films later this year?!)

I mean, it is laughable - but I do need some help to see the funny side right now. So I mentioned that getting an au pair for a few weeks might be an idea, he is worried that he is going to lose his office (aka our newly converted loft guest bedroom - grrr!)

So . . . my questions are:

What are the best websites?
What is the going rate for au pair in London (Zone2)
Do you think it will be possible to get an aupair for this sort of timeframe?

Anything else I should be thinking of?
Thanks all!

Look on www.Gumtree.com/London
I would say the going rate is £70-80 per week. My Family who I nanny for , thier old au-pair just left and this is what they were paying her.
You probably will find one on gumtree for the short period of time.
If she needs a car you will have to pay for her insurance and petrol. You may have to supply car too if she doesnt have one, or pay for public transport.
You also have to supply her with a bed, somehwere for her clothes, and her food while with you. Normally a seperate bathroom but nor always needed.
You do not pay for flights!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont even think about it if one asks you to!

My families old aupair had her own room, downstairs (now the playroom for children)with a bed, draws, sofa a t.v so she could have time for herself.

A more expensive option, but have you thought about getting a postnatal doula. She will be able to help you with your newborn and your needs as well as DD1. She could come to your house daily, so your dh will keep his office - or do you think you will need overnight help?

Where in london are you? North?East?South?West?

Gumtree or www.aupairworld.net are the websites to use.
I would guess that a zone 2 London rate would be £65-75 per week pocket money (plus food), wouldn't offer a car since it's London but provide a bus pass if it is necessary to take dd1 to nursery and back. That would be for up to 25 hours of 'work' per week.
Do remember that the majority of au pair applicants are young girls who have little experience of young children so you either have to be very picky/lucky during recruiting or you need to be very directive about their duties and how to interact with dd1 right from the start.
I agree that a postnatal doula might be a better option - live out and they have experience of babies/family needs.

If the 6 - 8 weeks coincide with the university breaks then as you are in London you will be inundated with offers and will have your pick.

thanks for all advice! will look into doula as well. Supernanny - I live in SW London (Battersea)

Maybe a doula would be most useful to you coming in for a few hours each day to help you think paulamummyknowsbest does this. You would pay approx £15 an hr for this.

or a maternity nurse maybe doing 24/5 and you would obv have them living in and would pay £150 plus per 24hrs. They would obv get up to baby in night.

or a temp nanny for 6wks live in would be around £300 for a 50hr week and live out would be £350 for 50hr week.

an au-pair would be around £80 a week for 20hrs.

hope this helps.