A Nanny's Guide to Thriving During Holiday Chaos

After nine years in childcare and countless conversations with my mother, I know that holidays can be overwhelming for parents. However, as a nanny I've discovered the key to turning those long days into enjoyable, fulfilling experiences. By following a well-structured routine, I've replaced my holiday struggles with weeks of bliss.

As a live-out nanny, my day begins at 7am. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule makes it easier to adjust to earlier starts during the holidays, this I learned the hard way. I prepare everything I need the night before to conserve energy for the children in the morning. Some may consider this lazy, but I prefer to think of it as efficient. A quick morning routine and a music-filled 20 minute drive to work provide the dopamine boost I need to start the day. At 8am, I'm greeted with big hugs – the perfect way to begin!

Our day starts with breakfast, offering a variety of cereals and milk for the children to choose and prepare themselves, promoting independence. Afterwards, we slow down by playing a board game such as The Game of Life, Monopoly, or Scrabble, depending on the children's age and mood. This helps ease into the day, especially if I have other nanny duties or haven't fully woken up yet. Once the kids are ready, we head upstairs to brush teeth, tidy bedrooms, and choose outfits.

Involving the children in planning the day's activities helps them feel engaged and promotes cooperation. Our typical day includes a mix of educational and recreational activities such as maths and English practice, a trip to the park, or a game of tennis. We also enjoy arts & crafts like still life drawing sessions. Along with lunch, nanny duties, and dinner preparation, these activities create a full and exciting day. I join in on the fun if I like, taking breaks when needed to maintain a balanced mental state and positive mood.

By evening, after a day of fun and fresh air, the kids are usually worn out. While I prepare dinner at around 5pm, they enjoy some TV time to wind down. We have dinner and dessert without screens then head upstairs for bedtime routines at 6:30pm. Showers, teeth and hair brushing are followed by some decompression time before their parents return at 7pm. After a brief handover, it's time for me to head home!

Although holidays as a nanny can seem like long days, finding the right balance of engaging activities for the children and self-care moments for yourself can make all the difference!