Need some sort of temporary help but not sure how to go about it - any ideas?

[butadream]

I am on maternity leave at the moment with DS (3y) and DD (3m) and DH's work has just told him he needs to go away from 4 January to 5 February. I can't take the children to my parents' because DS starts school nursery in January so I would like some sort of mother's help / doula(?) / au pair to help me out, particularly in the late afternoons / early evenings when DS is tired and DD wants to bf for hours on end.

Does anyone have any ideas about how I should go about looking for this please?

An au pair lives with you - do you want that, or someone who lives out?
For live out help I would try advertising on your local gumtree.com and nannyjob.co.uk, but with this short notice you may need to try nanny agencies (they charge a lot!).
For au pairs, also look on gumtree for those in the UK and on aupair_world.net.

Thanks Millarkie

I don't mind whether live in or live out really, it's just for a month. We have a nice spare room but not separate bathroom but somehow it seems to me if DH is away that is less of an issue?

On my first maternity leave i needed help as we had just moved house. I simply put an advert in the local newsagent looking for a Mother's Help and specified the hours. I stated suit University student and got a lovely girl who was training to be a social worker.

The other type of person who might be really helpful, could be an active-retired grandmother figure.

If I were you and you don't want them to live in I would still set the hours for the school run, say 7.30 - 9am as well as for tea-time bedtime say, 4-8 (up to you?)

I think you might find someone locally, especially as it's only for a short period of time. And, as they won't be alone with the children, you just need someone with common sense and willing and able rather than a full-on qualified nanny.

Good luck.

Thanks NonnoMum.

What do you think of this ad:

Temporary mother's help needed 5 - 31 January, Monday to Friday 3.30 to 8 pm @ £7 ph
*

Duties involve helping with school pick up for 3 year old boy, helping out with 3 month old girl and light housework. Sole charge not required.

Would suit university student.

• This would be c. £160 / week, is this generous given that au pairs work for much less? I don't want to be stingy but as there is no sole charge would the market rate be lower than the £7/hr that seems to be normal for babysitters?

Is that Gross or Net?
Where are you located? Location can make a difference to salary.

Butadream- au pairs get less cash in their hand but no rent bills or food cost so it adds up to about the same (in my experience anyway)

butadream sounds perfect.
Good luck. Are you sure you don't want help in the morning too? Especially as you are starting the school run?
Don't forget to phone their referees. Money sounds fine IMHO...

Let us know how you get on...

Well I was thinking gross because I'm looking for a student who wouldn't have PAYE anyway. Am in South London - Zone 3.

Can he not miss nursery if going to your Mum's would help?

I am happy being on my own with them in the morning as DS is lovely when he's rested and DD is happy in the sling or napping so we have quality time together. DS will only be at nursery from 12.30 to 3.30 p.m.

Hi Fab, even at nursery they are really strict on attendance here, there is a long waiting list so if we don't attend then his place could be withdrawn.

You will still have some forms to complete for HMRC. If the student earns above personal allowance in all their work combined, then I think you will need to operate PAYE. HMRC: Students

Try advertising the job, both through local newsagent type places and online. See what response you get.

Thanks nannynick, if I find a student in that position they'll be doing a lot better than when I was studying!