How to ease into your nanny job after the season
From holiday rest to hitting your rhythm
The holidays are a wonderful mix of joy, chaos, and – let’s be honest – exhaustion. Whether you spent your break helping a family manage celebration chaos or enjoyed well-deserved time off, the transition back to work can feel a bit jarring. This is your reminder that it’s okay to take your time easing back into your rhythm – and a few tips for doing so with intention.
Start with intention
After a season that often feels like a marathon, you don’t need to sprint into January. Start soft. The goal isn’t to pick up exactly where you left off. It’s to bring forward the calm, joy, and connection you found during the holidays into your daily work. Think of it as resetting your professional rhythm with warmth and purpose.
Before your first day back, take a moment to reflect: what part of the holidays made you feel most rested or fulfilled? Maybe it was sleeping in, having slow mornings, or being with family. Consider how you might bring a piece of that feeling into your routine or mindset at work. Children are sensitive to the energy you bring; they’ll follow your lead when they sense you’re grounded and present.
5 practical steps to ease back in
Make the most of your time off. If you’re taking vacation days or holiday leave, use them fully. Resist the urge to check in or plan ahead! Truly resting will help you return with clarity and enthusiasm.
Give yourself a “buffer day.” If possible, schedule one day between any of your own travel or celebrations and your first day back. Use it to rest, unpack, and reset your routine.
Active reconnection with the family and children. When you return, start by catching up. Ask the kids about their holidays, share a fun moment from yours, and re-establish that warm connection before diving into structure.
Stay flexible. The first week back can be unpredictable – families are adjusting too. A calm, adaptable attitude goes a long way. (Plus, the kiddos are bracing to get back to their own routines, and they need you to help them ease into it!)
Guard your energy. Don’t overschedule yourself in the first week back, socially or in your professional ambitions. Focus on getting back into the swing of things.
Psst. The new year is also a great time to review your job contract and update responsibilities or compensation. Not sure where to start? This guide to renegotiating your nanny contract has you covered!
You’ve got this!
Don’t forget: your work matters deeply to the parents and kids you work with, and returning after the holidays is a chance to reconnect with that purpose. Give yourself permission to move gently, to carry forward the joy you found during your break, and to model balance for the children you care for.
And as always, we here at Smart Sitting are here for you. Need help on how to ask for time off during the holidays? Want a boost of confidence and encouragement? Or are you coming back after the holidays in search of a new nanny job? We’ve got you. We’re picky about who we work with, but once you’re in the network, all our resources, meetups, and team members are available to you for support and pep talks!
Haven’t joined yet? Get started by filling out an application via the application below. We can help you get a nanny job that fits your experience and needs – and we can help you build caregiving into a solid professional career. Happy Holidays, enjoy the season and what comes after!
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