Hello Ladies,

DH and I are tossing up what we do re: childcare when I return to work next year. We are moving house shortly so keeping DS1 at his current centre isn't an option as its too far away. The area that we are moving to has lots and lots of young families so the wait for childcare is a mile long. The family day care worker I spoke to at the council indicated they may never have a place for me.

DH and I have considered hiring a nanny in our own home, but our finances don't really extend that far. We have a contact for someone that cares for kids on a "cash" basis that seems appealing. She has cared for other families we know and they all love her to death.

It came to me that my MIL would be ideal to approach, rather than a stranger. MIL is thinking of retiring from work in the next few years. I trust her implicitly with my children. She is very respectful of how we parent and is very, very good with DS1. I get along well with her and we have common views on life. She is also very supportive of us in a practical sense - chucks a load of washing on, wipes the benches almost unconsciously and sweeps the floor with DS1.

However I'm not so naive to think that there can't be any bad side to this arrangement. I'm guessing differences of opinion, times she is sick...

What are people's thoughts? Does anyone do something like this? What are potential pitfalls I should be thinking about?

Fiona