Join facebook - sw15 mums network and others similar on there local to you, they are your best bet for everything family related. Good luck, awful time :-(

Be sure to find out how much housework the nanny will do. Will nanny also prepare a meal for adults or do their laundry? Have that conversation.

You might try contacting Universal Aunts who can provide mother’s helps, housekeepers and babysitters.

http://www.universalaunts.co.uk/      020 7738 8937
 

So sorry to hear about your wife. As a widow myself, I would recommend getting a nanny if you can afford it. Au pairs are cheaper but as they are younger and less experienced, you may need to help/supervise a bit more, whereas an experienced nanny can relieve some of the burden completely. A shared nanny is a good way of sharing costs but it depends if you know/can find a family where this arrangement would suit you both, plus you may need to share the time in each of your houses, meaning they can do less washing/cleaning etc in your own house. If you contact a nanny agency, they can also talk through options and help you find the right person. Hope that helps and good luck!

Good day, 

My wife passed away in February, and we as a family consist of me (42), my son (nearly 5) and daughter (2.5).

We have a 3 bedroom flat in Barnes (with two cats), I work full time, and I now my son has started school (after school clubs until 6pm M-T, 5pm Friday), whilst my daughter is in nursery (M-F, 8-6) it is time that I sought help.

I would like to find assistance with things such as: school and nursery pickups on occasion, preparation of the odd meal, laundry and shopping and perhaps occasional weekly & weekend babysitting so that I may have some time for myself for whatever exercise/social one may. 

I do not know if an au-pair is the solution, or a shared nanny etc. and of course would look for some consistency for the sake of my children.

Any advice or recommendations is much appreciate.

Many thanks,
Greg