where to hire mothers helpers

i am at the verge of having a breakdown.. i am finally accepting i cannot take care of 2 children on my own. ds is a handful. ds #2 wont sleep more than half hr at a time at night. ive been up since 130 this morning btwn both kids .. dh was called into work at 12am.. just got home an hr ago.. we have family that live far away and have better things to do than help us out...

ii am desperate.. i need some help...

is there an agency i can go thru?

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

I had a baby a week after you. I have almost full time help and I barely survive. I cannot imagine taking care of 2 without help!

I would try word of mouth. Do you have any neighbors that have responsible HS students or maybe a college/grad student?

When I had DS#1, I put an ad on craigslist and got a ton of responses. There were a handful of girls I interviewed who were awesome. They were either working towards a early chidhood development or education degree. Others were nursing students looking for PT work while in school. We ended up not going that route but I would totally feel comfortable with these girls, especially since I would have been home while they were present.

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

Try sittercity.com

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

I'm not sure if sittercity.com has mothers helpers but it's worth a shot! I always feel so bad when I hear this because I remember all too well how it was for me with just one baby and the lack of sleep. I don't know how I'll do it in August when baby #2 comes. I would also suggest looking into Mother's Centers to see if they have support types of groups where other moms are willing to give up some of their time to entertain/babysit for the brand new moms. Best of luck!

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

Most moms I know poached from daycares.

My friend uses an au pair service now, but she did get a few people that were ok on Craigslist. Some were definitely not ok

If you do opt for craigslist, please meet them in a Starbucks or something.

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Re: where to hire mothers helpers

Sittercity! That's where I found my mother's helper/babysitter and I adore her.

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

for those of you that do have a mothers helper- a few questions...

how much do you pay an hr or is it by the day?

Are you SAHM and if so how does the schedule work? I am expecting #2 and definitely want some help - right now I have my current sitter lined up for 2 full days a week and then every other week she comes for a third day to clean my house ( she was a nanny/hosuekeeper for a friend who has since moveed away so she ki nd of does both)

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

How much help do you need AM?

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

I also would like to mention that your DS is an angel compared to mine so I cannot imagine what the heck I am potentially getting myself in for

Re: where to hire mothers helpers

Ask around your neighborhood. Do not use Craigslist. Agencies can be very expensive. Try your local church or post ads in your local supermarket. Be sure to hire someone with experience, cpr certified if they will be left alone with the children and be clear as to what their responsibilities will be.

Good Luck!