Arguably one of the most sought-after skills for a good nanny is one’s ability to put others before themselves. Consequently, as a result, this often leads to one’s inability to properly take care of themselves. However, in order to be a great nanny, there needs to be a balance between caring for others and caring for yourself. Below we have listed our top tips that allow you to not only achieve this balance, but also set you up for success in all things nanny!
Create Work-Life Balance
Nobody gets into the nanny field because they want to ditch the old 9-5 and take on a smaller workload. On average, a nanny can find themselves working more than 40 hours a week. Throw some overnight shifts in the mix, and you’re looking at some long, tiresome weeks.
The regular routine that comes with being a nanny does not leave a whole lot of time to yourself, so in order to make certain that you’re getting the most out of what little free time you might have, spend it doing the things you love the most. Hobbies such as writing, exercising, and engaging in activities with loved ones are some of our personal favorite ways to spend our time away from work. If you find yourself being able to better relax and decompress alone, then we suggest a more “self-love”-y route. Doing things that allow you to fully submerge yourself into some well-deserved me-time, such as reading your favorite book, adding bubbles to a hot bath, digging out your cookbook, and making a home-cooked meal for yourself.
Put Your Health First
How can we care for somebody else’s health if we can’t care for our own? This is a very straightforward question, yet, lots of nannies still struggle with it. Staying on top of our own physical and mental health sets us up with the best foundation to care for others. Forget the way Hollywood romanticizes nannying because, in reality, the day-to-day of a nanny is not as glamorous as it is made to seem. Certain situations may arise where you need to be quick on your feet, something that you won’t be able to do if you are mentally and physically exhausted and unwell.
Our eyes are a wonderful example of putting this into practice. With how busy and on-the-go nannies can feel, it’s easy to neglect that headache that won’t go away, and ignore the obvious signs of eye fatigue from long days and nights with little to no rest. Solutions like updating your prescription take just a few minutes now that you can buy glasses online conveniently. A few minutes compared to that 3-hour nap you might accidentally slip into on the job is a pretty fair trade-off. You’ll barely even miss a beat in your day, and the proper prescription will have you feeling clear and ready to take on all of the other important responsibilities of being a nanny. Not to mention, you’ll score personal bonus points by demonstrating that your health is your priority!
Seize New Opportunities
The year 2021 has been nicknamed “The Great Resignation” because it was a time when the cost of living increased while the wages of many workers remained unchanged. Do you find yourself working for a family that is becoming increasingly toxic, or you simply aren’t happy with the money you’re making? Making the decision to leave might be in your best interest. Thousands of nannies right now are leaving their positions behind in search of new opportunities, especially if they are not being paid fair and legal wages. Whether you’re being micromanaged, have a growing list of tedious responsibilities, or feel a lack of appreciation; this might just be your sign. The internet makes the job search easy as you have hundreds of nanny jobs waiting for you at the tips of your fingers every day. Know your worth and start the new year with a better position. You just never know what dream job you might end up with if you never try!
Change Up Your Work Routine
Burnout can happen no matter what line of work you are in. While you can reach this physical and emotional exhaustion from working too many hours, you can also experience burnout if your workdays become repetitive. As a nanny, this can be very difficult but staying agile with dynamic ideas can assist in combating this. For starters, you can reevaluate your daily routine to pinpoint the areas of frustration that may need a little revamping. Keep in mind that being a nanny is so much more than just caring for children. It’s being a mentor, role model, and keeping them active. Things such as cooking and day trips offer an endless amount of potential. Adding some new activities to do with your little ones may be the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.
Nanny Tip: As the weather gets warmer, look for fun ways to break out of your winter habits! Discovering spring activities with children will allow you to break up your routine and offer fun new activities to keep the kids busy and you feeling refreshed. Adding new events like these adds variety to your schedule which, ultimately, puts a halt to your burnout.
Putting yourself first as a nanny this year will guarantee that you can show up as the best version of yourself. Need any advice or further insight to help you achieve success in your nanny career, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via info@thenannyleague.com. We are always here for support; to offer advice, to serve as mentors, or to just lend an ear!