Tali: A Mothers' Assistant is like an Au pair, helps you at home and/or when you are on holidays etc. Like a babysitter but with you still there (although it sounds like I will be able to trust this woman with collecting Wade from Kinder for me etc) she might also take the kids to the park nearby while I am at home cooking dinner etc. It is a through a private agency but I'll make enquiries about governments rebates. I *think* private nannies are going to be able to be covered by the childcare allowance system now that the Rudd government is in... i think it was one of their policies but don't quote me on that one. I'll be paying her $16 per hour which is good considering her experience and nursing training even though incomplete (I think she has 2/3 years). If she is really good i might consider asking her become a nanny and think about returning to uni myself or maybe getting a job that only demands 1 or 2 days a week. DH is on annual leave as of next Thursday until just after Xmas so she will be returning (if she's suitable) every Wednesday from next January. And girls, i must NOT use her time here to be on BB!!!! LOL