Budgeting on one income
Work out the full monthly total before you hire: a helper's salary, food, and accommodation added together as one figure, not separate guesses. Set that number against your take-home pay and see what's actually left for savings or an emergency.
Think through what happens if your income changes after you've hired, too. Deciding your limits and a fallback plan ahead of time is easier than making a big call under pressure later.
- Add salary, food, and accommodation together as one monthly line
- Set aside a cushion for the first few months while you adjust
- Decide what you'd change if your income dropped, before it happens
Building your own oversight, since there's no one to split it with
In a two-parent household, one parent might handle the school run while the other keeps an eye on how the helper is settling in. On your own, you need your own version of that check, a regular time each day to touch base, or a simple routine list that keeps things visible even when you're at work.
Find one person you trust, a parent, a sibling, or a close friend, who the helper or your children can reach if you're briefly unreachable. That's not about replacing your role; it's about covering the gap two parents would usually share between them.
- Set a regular check-in time each day, even a short one
- Identify one trusted adult who can call or visit if you can't
- Write down the daily routine so anyone stepping in briefly can follow it
What to decide before you hire
Every helper is entitled to a weekly rest day. In a two-parent household, the other parent often absorbs coverage for that day. On your own, you need a childcare plan in place before it arrives, whether that's a regular sitter, a family member, or an activity that works for your children.
The helper's accommodation arrangement is worth deciding early too: which room, what privacy looks like, and what daily contact involves, since you're managing that relationship on your own rather than splitting it with a partner.