As a busy parent it can often feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. Between work, school runs, meal prep, and everything else on your to-do list, it can be challenging to find time for yourself or even to spend quality time with your family. That's where a Mother's Help can come in handy.
What is a Mother's Help?
A Mother's Help is someone who assists parents with the day-to-day tasks associated with caring for their children and running a household. While they are similar to a nanny, a Mother's Help typically works alongside parents and helps with tasks such as laundry, meal prep or light housekeeping. They may also provide assistance with childcare duties such as bathing and feeding the children but are typically less involved than a nanny would be as they don't live-in and may come less frequently depending on the arrangement you have in place.
How to Recruit a Mother's Help
Recruiting a Mother's Help can be daunting, but here at Hampstead Nannies we have a wealth of experience identifying and Mother’s Help candidates who are qualified, experienced and reference and DBS checked. We have a reputation for helping a diverse range of families from all walks of life so are confident we can help find the right person for your family's needs.
When interviewing or employing a Mother's Help, it's essential to be clear about your expectations and the support you need upfront. In doing so you'll set up a solid foundation for a good working relationship that ensures everyone is on the same page and the family and household can run as smoothly as possible.
What does a Mother’s Help do?
The role of a Mother's Help can vary depending on your family's needs and this can be discussed with us and prospective Mother's Help employees before they start work. However, some common tasks that a Mother's Help may assist with include:
Childcare duties such as feeding, washing, dressing and entertaining the children during the day.
Light housekeeping - A Mother's Help may assist with simple household tasks including laundry, cleaning or tidying up.
Meal preparation - Depending on their confidence in the kitchen, a Mother's Help may help with meal planning and preparation for the children, or even the whole family.
Running simple errands such as picking up dry cleaning or grocery shopping.
Assisting with school drop-offs and pick-ups
The Benefits of Hiring a Mother's Help
There are so many benefits to bringing on a Mother's Help and the reason to hire one will vary from family to family but these are just a few of the reasons we encourage you to consider hiring a Mother’s Help.
The Gift of Time
One of the most significant benefits of hiring a Mother's Help is that you'll have an extra pair of hands around the house so will have more time to focus on other tasks or invest in quality time with your family.
Support with Childcare Duties
A Mother's Help can be an invaluable help when it comes to caring for your children. They can assist with everything from feeding and bathing to playing or reading with your children, which can be particularly helpful for parents who have multiple children or are juggling longer work hours and other family responsibilities.
Assistance with Household Tasks
As a Mother's Help can also provide valuable assistance with everyday household tasks, it can alleviate some pressure off of parents so you can switch off and enjoy a more relaxed and balanced lifestyle.
Flexibility to suit your lifestyle
A Mother's Help can be a great option for parents who only need occasional or part-time assistance. You can hire a Mother's Help for a few hours a week or as much as you need, to flex depending on your family's needs.
Make sure expected hours are clearly communicated during the interview phase or when employment starts to avoid any confusion or uncomfortable discussions down the line.
Cost-Effective
The cost-of-living crisis means everyone is reviewing how and where they spend their money. But having the support you and your family need shouldn’t be something you have to sacrifice. Hiring a Mother's Help can be a cost-effective option compared to hiring a full-time nanny as you can work out an arrangement that works best for all parties, such as paying them by the hour or employing them on a part-time basis.
If you’re interested in hiring a Mother's Help or would like support identifying the right person for your family, then contact us today and we can explain the process in more detail and help get you started.