Recent Posts
- Nanny Training Partner Receives CACHE Endorsement
- eNannySource.com Announces Strategic Partnership with Knowing Nanny for Better Family and Nanny Matching
- CPS Calls for Increased Water Safety
- Smart Day Planner Product Review
- Congrats to the 2018 INA Nanny of the Year
- Meet Modern Day Mary Poppins, Candi Vajana, 2017 Nanny of the Year
- Q&A with Jennifer Kuhn of Nanny Magazine
- CACHE Endorsed Nanny Training
- Caring for Three or More
- Making Learning Easy and Fun
- Mother’s Day Gift List
- Introducing NannyTraining.com
- National Nanny Training Day
- YES Prep Has Become eNannySource’s Newest Partner
- eNannySource is Now Partnering With KIPP
- 100 Things to Consider before Getting Your Kids Pets
- Fit Pregnancy: Walk to Wellness
- The Basics of Toy Cleaning
- Back to School: How to Help Your Kids Transition
- How Nannies Can Teach Children Boundaries With Peers
Archives
- February 2020
- January 2019
- May 2018
- April 2018
- June 2017
- May 2017
- March 2017
- January 2017
- May 2016
- April 2016
- June 2015
- May 2015
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
Finding Work/Life Balance as a Full-Time Nanny
January 8, 2014
After a full day of chasing toddlers, rocking babies to sleep and ensuring homework is complete, it can be exhausting to even think about having a social life as a full-time nanny. However, in order to maintain optimal mental and physical health, it’s important to find a work/life balance.
“Nannies are often hired to provide families more work/life balance and securing a job will have a lot to do with a nanny’s positive attitude, her flexibility and her willingness to help the family however needed,” says Dr. Alicia Clark, Washington, D.C.-based clinical psychologist. “Often, the best nannies are caretakers through and through, and daily think of others’ needs ahead of their own.”
Although this is an important quality to have when caring for children, as their needs are immediate and meeting them is fully consuming, Clark warns that full-time nannies can face burnout if they do not devote time to themselves. “Days are long and needs keep coming, and the opportunity to stretch in caretaking is ever present,” she says. “The same people who easily think of others first can sometimes struggle to think about themselves enough, not remembering to care for themselves in their off time.”
This ultimately can lead to an imbalance between work and life, leaving you feeling overly fatigued, irritable and even burned out. Avoid the negative effects to your emotional and physical health by scheduling some “me” time that you deserve.
Time is of the Essence
Structuring time is probably the most important element of protecting balance, says Clark. “Full-time nannies can be expected to be available at all times, but this is a recipe for burnout,” she says. “Having a schedule that you can count on is key to being able to take care of yourself in your off time.”
Clarify a schedule with your employer and ask that they abide by it unless notice is given in special circumstances. “A nanny needs to know when she can make plans for herself and needs to be vigilant about negotiating a schedule that allows for ‘me’ time,” says Clark. “Like with any job, look to have a portion of every day’s waking time free for yourself and ideally two full days per week off.”
If this is not possible, Clark suggests negotiating for paid vacation time or blocks of time you can claim for yourself. “Once a schedule is negotiated, a nanny needs to work hard to maintain time boundaries,” she says. “She needs to be on time, if not early to work, and be finished with her tasks at the end of work so she can leave on time. Maintaining a schedule is the cornerstone of finding balance between work and leisure.”
Finding Your Passion
Even though you may be exhausted when that ‘me’ time arrives, it’s important to follow your passions and pursue your interests and hobbies versus vegging on the couch for a two-day movie marathon.
Sports Psychologist Dr. Shannon Reece recommends using your ‘me’ time as a period of time in which you relax and do something you enjoy. The key is finding the activity that works for you.
Here are a few suggestions to get you moving toward self-fulfillment during your off time:
- Group Exercise: You don’t have to join a gym to get in your daily workouts. Enlist the help of friends and family by forming a walking or running group. The social interaction with adults will help stimulate your brain and the exercise will stimulate your body.
- Find Nature: If you’ve been cooped up in your employer’s home all week with a sniffling child or a tantrum-throwing toddler, some fresh air may do you some good on your off days. Take a hike or ride your bike through wooded trails. You just might conjure up some creative ideas for outdoor play with the kiddos when you head back to work.
- Meditate: What better way to find yourself than to become immersed in a soothing, relaxing environment? Allow yourself time to be at peace with your thoughts, stretch and practice yoga poses, or enjoy some pampering at a nearby day spa to refresh your mind and body.
- Be a Kid: Even though you are deemed the ‘grown up’ on the job, there’s nothing wrong with acting like a kid on your days off. Break out your favorite video games or challenge your friends to an interactive online game. The challenge and competition may be just what you need to get re-energized for the work week.
- Get Away: Treat yourself to some new scenery with a leisurely drive or a stay at a bed and breakfast out of town. Bring a book to keep you company or invite some friends to join you on your weekend getaway.
Regardless of how you choose to spend your ‘me’ time, the important thing is that you take the time to care for yourself. Doing so ensures that you are energized to provide the best care for the children who rely on you when you are on the job.
← Continuing Education: Classes Nannies Can Take to Improve Their Craft | Don’t Miss Out on the Right Nanny →
What do you do when the parents start encroaching on your free time? I feel like sometimes it happens so slowly that I don’t even realize it until I’ve been working longer and longer hours for months and am already burned out…
I love the suggestions from Dr. Shannon Reece! It’s so important to remember to make time for YOU during your day, especially as a nanny!!
One of my favorite things to do when I get home from work each night is to go for a walk to get some fresh air and have a little “me” time. Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, I always feel rejuvenated afterwards!
i try to schedule one weekend a month out of town where i go visit friends or family or even just go away and do something i’ve been wanting to do, like a retreat or something like that. it can make all the difference in avoiding burnout.
How do you find the energy to do things after work? I feel like I’m so drained when I get off work that all I want to do is go home and sit on the couch at the end of the day!
It’s so important to recognize your boundaries and respect them. Regarding time, its ok to say you can’t do something, or ask for time “off” as compensation for extra time “on”. Childcare is hard work, and you and your employer both want you to be at your best when you’re with their children. So don’t be afraid to remind your employer, and yourself, that you need time to yourself. Bottom line: respect yourself (and your needs) and your employer will too!
GREAT advice! Thanks for sharing!!