[wirewendy]

Hi mamas! I have a little one and one on the way, and am trying to come up with some sort of job since I can't go back to work. I need your input.<br><br>
My idea is to provide a sort of "secretary" service for moms of newborns. Making appointments, running a few crucial errands, sitting with the babe for 30 minutes while mom showers, etc. I am hoping that I could juggle 5-10 moms at a time. They would pay a monthly fee.<br><br>
This would be a totally mom pampering service. What do you find you need help with? I just remember being totally overwhelmed, not able to even clip my toe-nails. I'd really appreciate your response.

 

[littleteapot]

Entertain baby so mom can take a shower. This means allow mom to nurse/cuddle baby until they're moderately happy (let's be realistic here) and then LEAVE for 10 minutes. Mom having a shower when she can HEAR her baby crying or fussing in another room negates the point of having the shower. Leave and go for a short walk around the block, go get the mail for her or maybe grab her some low-fat chips from the corner store. Just let her have a shower.<br><br>
Do her dishes for her.<br><br>
Bring her a few healthy snacks/meals without her having to ask. I constantly forget to eat and drink all day and don't realize it until I'm way too far gone.

 

[lab80]

Giving mom time for a shower is a great idea. DH does this for me, but I have to wait until 9pm or later because of his schedule. Dishes are also a great idea, vaccuming is also very helpful. General picking up around the house. Snacks or simple meals are good.

 

[runner29]

you might want to also heavily market your services for people to give as gifts to the new mom. I never would have spent the money for myself, but it would have been great if someone would have "rented" you to come to my house for a couple afternoons a week to clean my kitchen, cook dinner for us, bring me something to drink and a snack on the couch and run to the store for groceries or more wipes or something like that.<br><br>
kate

 

[chaibaby]

I would suggest things like going to the grocery store in the first few weeks. I know dads like to help out but I found my husband, when home from work, just wanted to be with the baby as much as possible.<br><br>
Oh, and doing laundry! Especially CDing moms who have lots of extra laundry around.<br><br>
What I find I want right now is to be able to go out for a good heart-pumping walk or run and I can't with the baby. She's too small for a runners stroller. So, I only get a good workout two times a week - both on the days my husband doesn't work so he can take care of her. So, for you to take over the baby for an hour or so while moms get out for a good bout of exercise would be great too.<br><br>
Good luck with your new business!

 

[ruthieroo]

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<div style="font-style:italic;">Bring her a few healthy snacks/meals without her having to ask. I constantly forget to eat and drink all day and don't realize it until I'm way too far gone.</div>
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YES. This is honestly the main thing I would love someone to do for me right now. I'm always holding or nursing a baby or toddler and it's really hard for me to even think of "one handed snacks", much less prepare them. I've eaten way too much crap because I'll eat whatever I can grab. Sometimes that's lots of dark chocolate or an ice cream on a stick.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
So food is the main thing. It'd be great to have a clean house but I'm weird about other people cleaning my house. I'd feel like I'd have to apologize all the time for how messy and gross it is and it'd be really awkward for me.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[PuppyFluffer]

Take care of the family pets for a bit. Why is it that the baby is always nursing when the older kid is having a crisis and all the sudden the dog needs to go pee?<br><br>
some laundry help<br><br>
preparing snacks ahead of time so that older kids can open the fridge and help themselves.<br><br>
A trip to the library to get fresh books for any older kids

 

[MidnightCommando]

typ78ing 1 hnad3ed

 

[MidnightCommando]

And now that I have both hands free I can really answer your question. Some things I wish I had help with are grocery shopping and small errand running - pickng up photos, going to the post office, picking up food at places that don't deliver.<br><br>
I personally wouldn't need someone to come in the house and clean/do laundry but sounds like that service might be of help to a lot of mamas, particularly those with more than one DC.<br><br>
Good luck with your venture!