Live out mothers' help or something along that line

[Jj]

My second child is due at the end of Sept and I'd like to hire someone to come in and help me out during the day.. just for a few hours and/or few days a week. My ideal person would help me around the house (we have a cleaner, so not a lot of cleaning) and also with the kids, especially to give me a chance to nap when my son's at nursery and help me take both on outings when my son's not. I'm not looking for someone to be in sole charge of either one for any amount of time (is it sole charge if I'm asleep in the house?), just to help out, carry the baby, give it a bottle every now and then (assuming I have it together enough to express milk to put into said bottle) and stuff like that.

Does anyone have any advice on how to find this person, suggestions on help I might need but don't know about now or anything to add to my somewhat rambling description of the job? Better yet, anyone got a spare nanny who needs an extra job during the day? Just in case, the non-nursery day is Monday and we go out on Monday mornings and it'd be nice to have someone around on Tues-Thurs afternoons around 1:30pm so that I could pick up my son at nursery and debrief him (always informative of course, today "nobody" was at nursery and he did "nothing" all day). Just thought I'd ask.. never hurts, right?

I'm starting to panic a bit about having two. I began reading the "Three Shoes.." book expecting to find some sort of reassurance. It's a good book, but I'm really nervous now!

Thanks!

Hi Jj
have you thought of an aupair?that really is the best value, thou you do have to have someone living with you, but most of the time they are out and about.
Alternatively try sticking an ad in you local newsagent, this time of year you may get a school leaver who is looking for a bit of extra cash without doing anything too strenuous.The Lady magasine is a good place to find people.
Good luck, but dont sweat the small stuff,its only housework!!

JJ,
I don't know if this any help, but when my second daughter was born, I had a student nanny on placement with us. She was a great help and the kids loved her. She was with us for all of the autumn term and half of the spring term - for alternate weeks ( 4 days a week). She wasn't allowed to have sole charge of the kids, but went on outings with us, dressed the children, fed them, made up bottles, did ironing, sorted out toy boxes, changed nappies and did lots of craft activities with my 2.5 year old. I enjoyed having her around- particularly as I had post natal depression and felt a bit shell shocked after giving up work !! To have a student contact your local college and speak to the placements officer- there is no charge for having a student, and if you feel it's not working out you can end the placement. Hope all goes well.

I don't know where you live but is a nursery too expensive?

Thanks for the replies! I've filled out the "Top Notch Nannies" application form and will hopefully hear from them soon. Also, I'm going to ask at my son's nursery and ring some placement officers at local colleges. Is there a particular course of study that I need to make sure the college offers before I ring? What should I say? ("Hi, I'd like some free childcare, please" ) It's a very attractive option, actually.

We don't have the space for an au pair, unfortunately and I don't think I'd do well with yet another person in the house since we have out of town visitors almost constantly. The visitors should taper off somewhat after the baby, though. At least none until after Christmas! We've decided not to put the baby in a nursery, also.. just to have someone come in and help. And I have NO faith in my ability to do all the checks necessary if I hired someone by myself.. I like the idea of having someone to go to if things aren't working out.

Thanks for the suggestions. They are so helpful-- we've discussed them all. Now to find that perfect (or at least tolerable) person!

Still in the process of finding someone. After recovering from the shock resulting from finding out what agencies charge, I re-evaluated my plans. We didn't change them, but it did take a while to come to grips with the amount of money involved! So, to make long story medium lengthed, I only mailed in the agency forms last Friday.

I did try calling a local college, but no one returned my calls. Will try again, though.

Honestly, I've been a little slack about this.. I was hoping something would magically turn up. When we moved to the UK, I found a nanny for my son (one day a week) through the mumsnet noticeboards. She still babysits, but stopped taking him for the day when he started nursery. It worked out perfectly! I do keep checking the boards, just in case someone wants to share a mother's help....

Jj - where do you live? A share might work if you are anywhere near Cambridge

Zaria, I'm in North London (Islington). Probably too far for a share, unfortunately. Thanks, though!