After my second baby, I started paying my cousin $20 an hour to help me with chores and childcare

When we needed help with childcare, my cousin was the first person I thought of — my kids love her, and she was already spending so much time with our family.

I love that I get an extra set of hands, and we're closer than ever.

Courtesy of Lauren Khan After having my second child, I realized I needed an extra set of hands to help me with two under 2.

We began paying my 23-year-old cousin $20 an hour to watch the kids and be my helper.

It's great.

She's become so irreplaceable that I worry what we'll do when she has a full-time career.

My 12-month-old says her fifth word, "Nanie," when Jane walks into our kitchen.

Jane — known by my children as Nanie — just got back from putting my 2-year-old son down for his nap.

Knowing he's sound asleep, I let out an exhale.

My husband and I haven't been able to get him down for his afternoon nap in months: Jane is the only one who can do it.

For over a year, we've paid her $20 an hour to be my "mother's helper," an extra set of hands to assist with chores around the house and childcare.

Oh, and she's also my cousin.

When we had a gap in our childcare, my cousin felt like an obvious solution My cousin has been helping us with our two kids.

Courtesy of Lauren Khan When my second baby was born last July, my 23-year-old cousin Jane began coming over more and more to spend time with us.