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Original poster

Calling all new mums - would you have used this service?

25 replies

pineapplerings · 14/09/2017 17:32

Hi Mummas :)

Heres an idea I've had - I've love to know what you think of it...

Through my current business I offer a range of holistic treatments including reiki, reflexology and aromatherapy. I am also a sling consultant. I have lots experience in mind health and wellbeing including being a childrens holistic wellbeing teacher.

As a new mum how would you have liked to have been given the gift of some time with someone like me who could spend an hour or so at your home doing whatever you needed at that time? It could be a massage, washing up, some cooking - literally whatever you needed at that point in the day. If baby is a restless how about a shoulder massage whilst we have baby in a sling?

When I was a new mum I struggled to treat myself to 'me time'. However, if someone had brought me a gift voucher for such a service I think I would have fallen to the ground and kissed that persons feet!

I'd like to start offering this service alongside the treatments my business currently provides.

I'd love some feedback on what you think about the idea? Would you have liked the service as a new mum? What else could I add? My thoughts are around £40 an hour with gift vouchers available so that people could buy them as baby shower presents etc.

Thanks in advance for all you thoughts.

xxxx

OP posts:

OneLastSummer · 14/09/2017 17:35

£40 an hour for washing up/ random jobs seems expensive. I'd not have liked it. Sorry. If I wanted a treatment I'd rather go somewhere out of the house all set up for it so it was relaxing. But I'm sure others will feel differently.

Calmanglass · 14/09/2017 17:35

Honestly? 40 quid an hour for general tasks is a big no. 40 quid for a specialised massage... yes. 40 quid for a sling consult... no can be free at a group.

2014newme · 14/09/2017 17:36

£40 per hour to wash up😂
A voucher for a massage or similar is nice. Yes to that.
Someone to wash up or make dinner is nice enough too but not at £40 per hour!
No to that.
What is a children's holistic well being teacher? Do you have an actual teaching degree?

DonkeyOaty · 14/09/2017 17:36

40 quid for washing up? Haha.

Don't offer that. Do offer the holistic stuff.

ChilliMary · 14/09/2017 17:37

Sounds great.

2014newme · 14/09/2017 17:37

Sorry I forgot the sling consultation, that would be a no as can get that for free. My friend does this, the consultation is free she makes a bit of commission on the slings

Suefromkent · 14/09/2017 17:38

Personally I could think of nothing worse than having a stranger in my house especially if they were trying to rub my shoulders while I get more stressed trying to settle a baby.

In theory the idea is fab and if we sister/best friend gave me a tacky blue peter inspired voucher for an hour of house work etc I would think it was great but I think I would end up resenting being given this type of voucher. I would feel I had to use it so I didn't hurt the giver but I would hate every min of it

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 14/09/2017 17:38

Cooking, washing-up - mixed in with advice on correct sling usage?
It's all far, far too wide reaching and all encompassing; and I wouldn't have dreamt of paying anything approaching £40 an hour for what is effectively a mother's helper.
Sorry.

Original poster

pineapplerings · 14/09/2017 17:39

Hiya OneLastSummer, thanks for your reply. I get what what you are saying about being out of the house...I also have a treatment room where mums could come if they would prefer. I remember booking treatments for myself like that and having to cancel at the last minute because my daughter was restless or I'd been let down with childcare. Sometimes I'd end up paying a cancellation fee because of it so I'd lose money. Its in those kind of scenarios where I'm thinking I could visit the Mum and do whatever they needed at that time - so the massage could be at their house etc. Thanks again for your thoughts xx

OP posts:

Parker231 · 14/09/2017 17:39

It would be cheaper to use a cleaner for the jobs around the house at a much lower hourly rate. For a massage I would want to away from the house to a salon or therapists. Sling libraries offer help for free.

SparklingBollox · 14/09/2017 17:43

Nope.
I would have preferred to have a voucher for a massage that I could go to.
Definitely wouldn't want a stranger pottering around burning inscence and washing up.
I may have been open to the holistic wellbeing stuff if I had come to you for a treatment of some kind, but really wouldn't want you to come over specifically for that.

SparklingBollox · 14/09/2017 17:45

I mean incense

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 14/09/2017 17:50

I think I would have really struggled. When ds was a newborn, I couldn't stand the idea of even my MiL (who I adore) helping about the house.

We are currently ttc a second and I've been looking into doulas (out of curiosity mostly) and I've seen postnatal doulas offering some of the same services, especially the cooking, cleaning, helping around the house aspect for considerably less per hour. Aromatherapy or similar at home whilst I could just lie there could on the other hand be blissful especially in the early days when DH was home on paternity. My Mother paid for some reiki treatments after I went through a traumatic experience as a student and I remember how relaxed/sleepy it made me.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 14/09/2017 17:51

No from me, sorry

Allthelightsgoout · 14/09/2017 17:57

Sorry but I'd want you to be offering something that didn't involve seemingly meaningless phrases like 'sling consultant' or 'experience in mind health and wellbeing '.

What do those terms even mean? They sound like the kind of thing anyone could claim. What are your qualifications? Training? Background?

Argeles · 14/09/2017 17:57

I think it's a wonderful idea.

Some new/relatively new mothers can leave the house and baby behind more easily than others in order to access a massage etc. For some, it is pretty much impossible (no support network, single mothers, those with PND, those for whom the cost of a babysitter and cost of a treatment and transport there would be too much). For many in these types of positions, your idea would be great, but also for some mothers who just want the convenience of not wanting to travel or be apart from their DC.

As for the prices you stated, I think it'll very much depend on where in the country you are operating from, and where you advertise, as to whom will be able to pay and which services may be more in demand.

I'm a Londoner, and if you are in London, I think that you could gain a lot of business relatively easily - but only in the more affluent areas, and those referred to as 'nappy valley' areas. I think this especially for your washing up/cooking etc service. There will definitely be people in these areas willing and able to pay £40, but for many, I don't think they would, and may order a take away instead for instance. Perhaps look at where you're targeting, and possibly reduce your washing up/cooking service price slightly, but keep it at £40 for therapies.

Good luck with your venture!

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 14/09/2017 18:08

Anyone "affluent" enough to pay £40 an hour for some washing up will already have staff, Argeles... It's a non starter.

BareGrylls · 14/09/2017 18:15

Sounds like a load of made up Woo.

YouCantCallMeBetty · 14/09/2017 18:22

I think as PP have said you're trying to be too much of a generalist OP. If someone wanted to spend £40 on me post birth then I can think of lots of other things I'd rather have (lots of nice Waitrose ready meals, a few hours of an actual cleaner, a proper massage or facial I can go somewhere relaxing for etc etc).
Perhaps stick to the holistic stuff if that's your core business and pay to hire a decent treatment room but offer flexibility to go to a woman's home if she prefers.

Ttbb · 14/09/2017 18:28

I would much rather not have a stranger cone into my house and touch me. As for cleaning I have a housekeeper for £12 an hour.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 14/09/2017 18:34

I think a better idea would be a treatment voucher that didn't incur cancellation fee's given your own experience OP.

Not sure how that would work out for a business though tbh.

2014newme · 14/09/2017 19:38

Yes the challenge for new mums is that it is hard to get to appointments so cancellations would be high, coming to their him may get round that. I had a reflexology come to my home when I was ttc and of (not first trimester).

MonkeyJumping · 14/09/2017 19:59

Much much too expensive for the household help: I'm in an affluent part of London and pay £12 an hour for a housekeeper who does cleaning cooking and laundry.

Very cheap for a home visit massage or reiki though, is that really worthwhile for you? Think about travel time, admin time, arranging the appointment and packing your bag etc - you'd really be working at least 3 hours for each 1 hour appointment so only £13.30 an hour for your time.

Loyly · 14/09/2017 21:56

No, I wouldn't use that service at all, I'm afraid.

Mightybanhammer · 15/09/2017 19:49

Sounds a load of ghastly made up nonsense. So No. sorry.
I'd pay à home help / housekeeper service for the cleaning, cooking etc, and get more benefit.

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