Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Mother's help business

17 replies

Amycar · 22/03/2019 12:31

Hi,

I'm thinking if setting up a mothers/family home help business.

I would offer a variety of services on a regular or ad-hoc basis, jobs that busy mum's often can't get round to doing. Such as, cleaning, ironing, cooking, shopping, etc.
The idea is that a client would book a fixed time slot for 'jobs' to be done. I am considering a 'three wishes' theme. For example, a four hour time slot could cover a general house clean, a kitchen cupboard tidy and a small pile of ironing - or a three hour time slot could cover preparation of a family meal and a bed change with washing machine loaded and switched on.

The idea is that I would have different grades of wishes, prices and timing then busy families could book jobs and a time slot online to fit in with their requirements.

What do people think? I would start off on my own, but would look to employ staff as a portfolio of clients built up.

Any ideas or comments welcome.

Thank you

OP posts:
Doyoumind · 22/03/2019 12:33

I would class it as household assistant or something similar. It's more professional than mother's help.

Babysharkdododont · 22/03/2019 12:38

I've been trying to imagine a scenario where I'd use a service like this and I just can't I'm afraid.
If I wanted extra jobs doing I'd ask my cleaner to do them, and can't imagine a day where I'd ask someone in to prepare a family meal.
Perhaps badge yourself as a cleaning service with capacity to take on extra jobs - it'd be easier to aim to your market then.

Hollowvictory · 22/03/2019 12:42

Yes it's not a mother's help it's a cleaner. Shopping I would do online. Can't imagine asking a cleaner to make dinner or would the cook be a different person?
I have cleaner, ironer, gardener.
Mothers helps help with the children.

InDubiousBattle · 22/03/2019 12:42

First stay well clear of 'mothers help', ironing/cupboard clearing etc are not the sole responsibility of mothers. I think Mothers help generally relates to help with very young babies.
Everyone I know who needs things like this doing has someone specific to do it. So a cleaner to clean, who they ask for a few extra hours to do stuff like deep cleaning /sorting, someone who takes the ironing and returns it done etc.
Sorry op!
Have you thought about marketing the help more at elderly people? In my area there are often adverts asking for general help, shopping/picking up prescriptions/preparing a few meal etc.

FluffyHeadbands · 22/03/2019 12:46

I think it sounds really good. I shop at Aldi for price so no deliveries. But I would be willing to pay extra for someone to go and then put it away whilst I'm at work and then clean etc.

So yes, try it out, but advertise to the elderly as well. Maybe offer half day companionship too? Take them out for shopping, a coffee etc.

Hippogator · 22/03/2019 12:54

I think it sounds great but you'll have to be very clear what you can get done in the allotted time. It's really what a live-in housekeeper does.

Hollowvictory · 22/03/2019 12:56

Good po it takes 4 hours to clean my house.

bagpiss · 22/03/2019 13:11

I have a friend who does very similar to this. Her term is 'family PA' the term mother's help was considered but it is rather limiting terminology as she also does the same for single Dads. She's been going for two years now, it's more as and when stuff rather than regular work, also remember to get the relevant dbs checks and insurance too.

Yabbers · 22/03/2019 14:04

I'd use it (no matter what it's called)

I have a cleaner, but there are times when someone coming in to pick up random chores we need done would be great.

EEELA · 22/03/2019 14:13

This is how I put myself through university, although I didn't market myself as a business. I did babysitting, ironing, washing, cleaning, meal prep, dishes, folding laundry, school pick ups and drop off to activities, etc. I started out just babysitting but realised that I hated just sitting around waiting for the parents to come home and would end up cleaning. One of the mums said I should be charging, so I started offering all of the service. I used to do a full food shop and meal plan (practically a hello fresh type of thing but with a bit more prep on my end) for one family.

The point of all that ^ is that there is a market for it! I wouldn't promote it as "mothers help" though, as to me they are individuals who assist the mother in the early months with an infant.

RobinHobb · 22/03/2019 14:16

I'd use it in a heart beat. We have a cleaner but all those extra little jobs...

EEELA · 22/03/2019 14:24

Should add that this was around Bristol and only 2 years ago - as I'm telling you that there's a market for it!

mollyblack · 22/03/2019 14:30

Love the sound of this. As someone with works, has no family support and a partner who works long hours and is not around much during the week I would welcome someone to clean and do some general stuff too, like make dinner, or spring clean one particular thing, or maybe go to the post office etc for me. It would have been great when my kids were younger too, even take them out in the pram for an hour so I could rest or get something else done.

Original poster
Amycar · 23/03/2019 10:51

Thank you all. I will take all comments on board. Still in its early stages in terms of strategy. Would love some name suggestions!! 😁

OP posts:
Schooladvicenamechange · 23/03/2019 10:55

I would love this! If you ever set up around Traffird/Manchester, I would definitely use you!

Danim89 · 10/07/2021 20:08

Hi. I wondering if you followed this plan through? I have been thinking about doing this for a year, but have not get my strategy together. If so wondered how it went ?

BusyLizzie61 · 10/07/2021 20:22

@Amycar

Hi,

I'm thinking if setting up a mothers/family home help business.

I would offer a variety of services on a regular or ad-hoc basis, jobs that busy mum's often can't get round to doing. Such as, cleaning, ironing, cooking, shopping, etc.
The idea is that a client would book a fixed time slot for 'jobs' to be done. I am considering a 'three wishes' theme. For example, a four hour time slot could cover a general house clean, a kitchen cupboard tidy and a small pile of ironing - or a three hour time slot could cover preparation of a family meal and a bed change with washing machine loaded and switched on.

The idea is that I would have different grades of wishes, prices and timing then busy families could book jobs and a time slot online to fit in with their requirements.

What do people think? I would start off on my own, but would look to employ staff as a portfolio of clients built up.

Any ideas or comments welcome.

Thank you

Tagged as home help, targeting the older age market and disabled could be successful. But I'd lose the wishes approach, rather have time periods and costs linked to each type of activity. For example, 2 family meals 1 hour = £xxx

Not sure new mothers as such would necessarily take advantage.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page