Mother's Helper?

Question

We are considering having a college age family member come live with us for a few months as an extra hand around the house. We recently purchased a new business & had a 2nd baby. Respons. would include help babysit as needed, along w/ light household duties - dusting, mowing - nothing too strenuous. She would not be a nanny - as I am mostly a sahm, & her main focus wouldn't be our 2 kids (both under the age of 3) but I do work very pt & my husband & I would like a date night on occassion, & could use an extra hand around the house. We don't have much $ to pay her - is it an equal trade to have her do this "mother's helper" work part time & we cover the cost of living (no rent), & everything like laundry, food, cable, etc. She would be able to have an outside pt job as well - to make/save up money if wanted. Have you had this type of help/agreement with someone? How did it work? Any suggestions/advice? We would have a written agreement in place....what do we include?

Answer 1

What about just finding a high school student that wants to make some cash and offer minimum wage for so many hours a week to help with the kids or babysit?  

Also, just get a cleaning lady, it's $100 a month.

You wouldn't want someone living with you and your family, it changes the whole family dynamic.

Answer 2

It sounds like she would be your maid and sometimes babysitter. If it were me, I wouldn't take the job, but if she wants to, then go for it.

Answer 3

It's a fair exchange if you want her to do less than three hours of work per day, either babysitting/housekeeping/datenight/etc.  This is a great arrangement since she's a family member and so presumably you can trust her.  However, if you expect her to be home and available to you most of the day, then you need to offer her money.  

The more regular you are with her hours/duties (eg. sweep/mop/bathrooms each week and watching the kids a couple hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while you work, plus one evening per week) the better it will be for her since she can have something concrete hours to tell a potential employer.  My little sister did something similar, taking care of some cousins in exchange for room/board/a little spending money the summer between her freshman and sophmore years of college.  Unfortunately, they kept asking her to babysit at the last minute and so many evenings that she had a pretty miserable summer because she didn't feel like she could say no and had to keep cancelling plans with her friends.

Answer 4

You would really have to find someone who would agree with what you are offering.

Answer 5

You could give her a little spending money maybe.  Or if she's agreeable to the other, there isn't anything wrong with the trade.

Answer 6

Sounds all right to me. She basically becomes a member of your immediate family.