So we’re expecting our first child early next year and I’m just starting to look at childcare options for the first year.
We keep our horses at home, over summer they’re out 24/7 but in winter they’re in overnight and out during the day. DH is great, but is only horsey through me and has only had to get involved in the chores since we moved them home a few years back so he’s still quite slow when it comes to mucking out (I usually have done 2 stables, whilst he’s still finishing up 1). Obviously I’m super grateful he helps at all, but I worry he won’t be able to handle the winter chores alone and I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to do when heavily pregnant. I’ve already resigned myself to hiring in a freelance groom to help over winter.
I’m hoping (possibly optimistically) to go back to work after 6 months as I love my job and have recently taken on a big promotion and don’t want to let them down. However I’m not keen on the idea of such a young baby going to nursery so am wondering how feasible it would be to find a mother’s help that could help with both the horses and the baby.
We can offer accommodation on-site with an en-suite (if needed), and whilst I only have enough stabling for the current horses we do have great facilities (floodlit and mirrored arena, wash box and solarium, plenty of off road hacking, competition venues within 10mins of us and transport) and would be happy to offer grass livery for free as part of the package. Do you think this would be an appealing prospect for someone? And if so what’s the going rate? I’m obviously completely new to trying to juggle babies with horses so I’ve no idea if this is a thing ordinary families consider.
We’d need help with 3 horses (2 x non-ridden, 1 x newly backed but going on holiday once he returns from learning to be a horse) mostly mucking out, rugging, turnout etc. and potentially help exercising them later down the line. Though it could be a lot less as I’m hoping to be able to help with a lot of the above fairly soon after giving birth as I hate not being hands-on with my horses.
Would appreciate any advice, or even alternative suggestions for how to juggle it all. Thanks