Nannies: How You Can Be a Holiday Hero for Busy Parents
The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activities and responsibilities for parents, not to mention the stress of upcoming travel or family celebrations. As a nanny, you are uniquely positioned to ease this burden in the days and weeks around the holidays.
We want to empower you with a few tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way. Here are several ways that you can go above and beyond during the holidays, offering invaluable support to the family or families you work with.
Understanding Holiday Stress
First off, it’s important to recognize that parents may be juggling work, holiday events, and family expectations. It’s a stressful time for many – but also one that they want to make magical and memorable for their kids.
It doesn’t mean all that stress should get lumped onto you, but empathy is key here. Pay attention to cues that suggest areas where parents could use extra help, and be patient if things are a little more frazzled than usual.
Ways to help your nanny family during the holidays
Assisting with Holiday Preparations
Gift Wrapping
Offer to wrap gifts while the children are napping. Involve older children in crafting personalized gift wraps, adding a special touch to presents for other family members or friends.
Holiday Baking Assistance
Bake cookies or holiday treats together with the children, especially for school events or family gatherings.
Use baking as an opportunity to teach measurements and math, patience, and the joy of sharing. And, uhm, how delicious baked goods are.
Extra Help Around the House
Proactive Cleanup
While you’re probably already handling daily tidying after the kids, do an extra once-over or offer to help making room for decorations or Christmas trees. It’s not required, but if you have the time while kids are napping or occupied, it will be greatly appreciated.
Offer to take on extra laundry duties, like holiday outfits or linens, that you wouldn’t normally do.
Effective Communication and Planning
Proactive Scheduling
Anticipate the family’s needs and potentially different schedules during the holidays. Do they need fill-in help during upcoming events? Will they (or you!) be traveling so the schedule will be different? Bring these questions up as early as possible, especially if you will be asking for time off.
Show willingness to adjust hours for special occasions or last-minute changes, and make sure your nanny contract outlines your agreed upon compensation for any such changes or add-ons.
Regular Check-ins
Regularly check in with parents about their priorities and how you can best support them – a tip that really works year round. This also gives them a chance to communicate any changes or needs for the kids that they may have forgotten to bring up, which can make things easier for you as well.
Creating Special Holiday Moments
Beyond helping the family with scheduling and practical needs, you can add your own touch of holiday sparkle in ways the family might not even have thought of. Sure to be appreciated, and a fun way for you to spend the season with your kiddos.
Craft with Kids
Holiday Crafts: Engage your charges in making holiday decorations or gifts for their parents or friends, creating memorable moments. (Keep your eye on the blog for fun holiday craft ideas!)
Plan Small Festive Activities
Festive Games: Organize simple holiday-themed games or story readings. Make it a playdate with other kiddos for extra fun.
Outdoor Adventures: Plan small outings, like a walk to see neighborhood lights, weather permitting.
Be the Official Photographer: Whether you’re the one running Santa’s workshop or families have special events or school recitals, capturing a moment is always a sweet memory. Offer to take pictures of the whole family if the parents are involved, as it can be rare to gather everyone and remember to snap a pic.
Are You Ready to Be Somebody’s Holiday Helper?
As a nanny, you know that you are more than an employee. You are an integral part of a family's experience, holiday or otherwise. Going above and beyond during this time will only help cement their love and appreciation for you further.
If you would make a fantastic Holiday Helper to a family, with experience, know-how, and some snowflake glitter up your sleeves, and are currently looking for your next nanny job, come to Smart Sitting. Our dedicated team matches caregivers with their ideal positions through a personalized process it’s taken us years to perfect. If you think you have what it takes to join our community, we’d love to hear from you – apply today!