How do you prevent nanny burnout? What do you do when you feel yourself starting to become worn thin?
11 comments:
Kourtney K'shian
said...
The best advice for avoiding "Nanny Burnout" would be to work part-time and only accept jobs where if the child naps, you can use that time to rest as well.
I hear these stories about Nannies working 10 hr shifts and having to do housework/cooking/laundry/shopping, etc...Nannies are not robots, they are human beings who need to rest. To expect a Nanny to feed, change, bathe, educate and entertain your child at ALL times is unreasonable. And when the child naps, expecting the Nanny to use that time to do family chores is unreasonable as well. Working a long day, w/no break whatsoever is the perfect recipe for a burned out Nanny.
I think if you are a live-in, to avoid burn-out, it would be a great idea to find things to do outside of the home in your free time. Hang out w/friends, take a class and/or just catch a movie are ideal solutions.
1. Choose jobs that are chilcare only. Csaring for a child is hard enough work you do not need to be scrubbing toilets on top of that.
2. Choose jobs with regular working hours. This way your body can develop a pattern of being a wake and sleeping.
3. Make sure you have adequate vacation time as part of your contact.
4. Use your vacation time.
5. Establish boundaries between you and the family you work for. Don't involve yourself in their personal dramas. Once you are off the clock you are no longer available to them.
6. Take up outside interests on your own or with friends. See a movie go to the beach etc 7. Learn to say no and mean it.
LEARN TO SAY NO. LEARN TO SAY NO. LEARN TO SAY NO. I cannot stress that enough. It has been by far my BIGGEST flaw as a nanny!! Having no backbone causes for quick burnouts!!!!!
Mine too nannypants! And you are so right, it leads to burnout and resentment! It's hard though if you have a people pleasing personality. Glad im not the only pushover nanny, seems like most of the nannies here are excellent at sticking up for themselves (more power to them!!!)
Nanny Pants and NC nanny I feel your pain. I have been the classic "nanny pushover" on many occasions. (So needless to say, I relate to you both completely) On top of saying, "No," when needed I like to add, "COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!!" Don't only say, "No," when you feel the need, but also explain why you are saying "No". A good family will respect you if you simply add, "I understand that --- is important to you. However, I know that for me to be a good nanny to your children I have to know when to say "No" to you so that I don't get burnt out. If I'm exhausted all of the time, not only will I begin to loathe my job, but will also be too tired to provide the best care for your children."
However, on the other hand, don't get so addicted to saying, "NO" that you fail to deposit favors in your nanny bank account. When I am able, I go out of my way to help my family, knowing that when I need a favor, I am more likely to receive the same flexibility on their end.
What works for me, when I'm starting to feel nanny burnout is I take a job working in daycare for awhile. The environment is more fast-paced and stimulating. I have done this throughout my entire career: back and forth between nannying and teaching so I don't get too burnt out on either one. I know this technique is not for everyone, but it works well for me.
I also do not accept jobs with more than 45 hours per week or where they want me to do a lot of housecleaning. I also am sure to work for people I can easily communicate with. If there is a breakdown in communication, the job is going to sour very quickly.
1. burn the candle at both ends: Fig. to work very hard and stay up very late at night. (One end of the candle is work done in the daylight, and the other end is work done at night.)
2. burn the candle at both ends to get little sleep or rest because you are busy until late every night and you get up early every morning (usually in continuous tenses)
3. burn the candle at both ends to regularly stay awake late and get up early because you are too busy
# 3 burning the candle at both ends. Working all day then staying awake all night to spend time with the husband who has an opposite schdule. Hence home/work balance
11 comments:
The best advice for avoiding "Nanny Burnout" would be to work part-time and only accept jobs where if the child naps, you can use that time to rest as well.
I hear these stories about Nannies working 10 hr shifts and having to do housework/cooking/laundry/shopping, etc...Nannies are not robots, they are human beings who need to rest. To expect a Nanny to feed, change, bathe, educate and entertain your child at ALL times is unreasonable. And when the child naps, expecting the Nanny to use that time to do family chores is unreasonable as well. Working a long day, w/no break whatsoever is the perfect recipe for a burned out Nanny.
I think if you are a live-in, to avoid burn-out, it would be a great idea to find things to do outside of the home in your free time. Hang out w/friends, take a class and/or just catch a movie are ideal solutions.
1. Choose jobs that are chilcare only. Csaring for a child is hard enough work you do not need to be scrubbing toilets on top of that.
2. Choose jobs with regular working hours. This way your body can develop a pattern of being a wake and sleeping.
3. Make sure you have adequate vacation time as part of your contact.
4. Use your vacation time.
5. Establish boundaries between you and the family you work for. Don't involve yourself in their personal dramas. Once you are off the clock you are no longer available to them.
6. Take up outside interests on your own or with friends. See a movie go to the beach etc
7. Learn to say no and mean it.
LEARN TO SAY NO. LEARN TO SAY NO. LEARN TO SAY NO. I cannot stress that enough. It has been by far my BIGGEST flaw as a nanny!! Having no backbone causes for quick burnouts!!!!!
Mine too nannypants! And you are so right, it leads to burnout and resentment! It's hard though if you have a people pleasing personality. Glad im not the only pushover nanny, seems like most of the nannies here are excellent at sticking up for themselves (more power to them!!!)
Nanny Pants and NC nanny I feel your pain. I have been the classic "nanny pushover" on many occasions. (So needless to say, I relate to you both completely) On top of saying, "No," when needed I like to add, "COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!!" Don't only say, "No," when you feel the need, but also explain why you are saying "No". A good family will respect you if you simply add,
"I understand that --- is important to you. However, I know that for me to be a good nanny to your children I have to know when to say "No" to you so that I don't get burnt out. If I'm exhausted all of the time, not only will I begin to loathe my job, but will also be too tired to provide the best care for your children."
However, on the other hand, don't get so addicted to saying, "NO" that you fail to deposit favors in your nanny bank account. When I am able, I go out of my way to help my family, knowing that when I need a favor, I am more likely to receive the same flexibility on their end.
Hope that helps!
What works for me, when I'm starting to feel nanny burnout is I take a job working in daycare for awhile. The environment is more fast-paced and stimulating. I have done this throughout my entire career: back and forth between nannying and teaching so I don't get too burnt out on either one. I know this technique is not for everyone, but it works well for me.
I also do not accept jobs with more than 45 hours per week or where they want me to do a lot of housecleaning. I also am sure to work for people I can easily communicate with. If there is a breakdown in communication, the job is going to sour very quickly.
A healthy diet and enough sleep!
Well what is causing this burnout? Are you refering to the job itself? or are you talking about the home/work balance? are your hours ok?
If its because of nanny burnout I can't help you.
but the term burning the candle at both ends to me means a work/home balance issue. i don't know which one you are talking about
1. burn the candle at both ends:
Fig. to work very hard and stay up very late at night. (One end of the candle is work done in the daylight, and the other end is work done at night.)
2. burn the candle at both ends
to get little sleep or rest because you are busy until late every night and you get up early every morning (usually in continuous tenses)
3. burn the candle at both ends
to regularly stay awake late and get up early because you are too busy
It means working your ass off.
# 3 burning the candle at both ends. Working all day then staying awake all night to spend time with the husband who has an opposite schdule. Hence home/work balance
For me I had to learn my limits. I can't do jobs that require more than 40 hours a week or with more thant two kids,or with a ton of chores.
Also, take that vacation time.
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