There’s wrapping paper, tape, and scissors covering the dining room table – we will call the dining room table, Santa’s Workshop. Seriously, who needs to eat at the table until Christmas dinner anyways, right? While there may be a little chaos, keep the Christmas cheer going in your house. Many times during the holidays your nanny is doing a little extra around your household to make things run smoothly. Your nanny shall change her name to ‘Santa’s Awesome Elf.’ “Keep Calm and Carry On” is what many nannies try to achieve for their employers, while maintaining the daily chores and routine of the family.

While there is a lot of hustle and bustle going on, do not forget about the value of your nanny. Take some time to sit down and think of the best way to show your appreciation to your nanny this holiday season. Nannies are professionals and should get many of the benefits of a corporate employee – probably more because you are the best people in the world to work for! Pat yourself on the back, because you are an awesome employer. (insert big smile)

Many families over the years have asked multiple questions about their nanny during the holidays. Let’s breeze through these top four items to make sure you and your nanny have the BEST holiday season!

What do you do with your nanny’s schedule while you have family visiting during the holidays?

If your nanny cannot be used to her fullest capacity during her work hours, allow her to have the day off. When there are many adults around she will get lost in the picture and feel very useless. Many times families are seeing each other for a short time during the holidays and want to spend time together. Lets face it, grandparents don’t typically want to share their time with their grandchildren with the nanny. Right, grandparents? Allow your family to feel like family and be together. Your nanny will truly appreciate the day off and it is a nice surprise to her to allow time with her family as well.

• PLEASE NOTE: When you allow a nanny a day off on a day(s) you do not need her, it does NOT count as a vacation day(s) and they are still paid their typically weekly pay. This is true throughout the year as well. Your nanny counts on her income and you want to be sensitive to that. Not paying a nanny when she is not needed (ie. during the holidays or when you are on vacation throughout the year) is a very quick way to loose a nanny.

What can I ask my nanny to do to help our family get ready for the holidays?

Be sure that you make time to sit down with your nanny to talk about all the holiday plans that are in place. Does she need to go to Michaels to get craft stuff for Sue’s party? When is the school Christmas play or singing? Do you need wrapping paper and packaging items? Do you need her to wrap presents or mail out Christmas cards? All of these things can be done if the schedule allows. Be sure that you do not overwhelm your nanny and unable to focus on the children. All nannies are willing to chip in and help, but you do not want to sacrifice her time with the children, her #1 priority. Make a list, be clear of what you need, and tag-team the list together!

What do we get our nanny for Christmas?

Every family has their own ideas of what they like to do for their nanny during the holidays. Be creative! Every nanny has a hobby and has likely shared those items with their employers over time. Think of the things that she likes and build on that. Also, it could be something that she has never done! Allow your children to be apart of the process and let them make something for her or pick something out – nannies love ‘prizes’ from their charges! (I have all of my cards and special items from my nanny days in a special place.)

I always say giving a gift to a nanny that allows her to take care of herself is a great gift. Yes, you guessed it – something that spells R-E-L-A-X! Many nannies put themselves last and often forget to take a moment to just BREATH. Nobody wants a nanny who is on the verge of burning out! Potential ideas for something like this is to send you nanny to a spa, a night at a nice bed and breakfast/hotel, or an evening out at a nice restaurant. All are great ideas and a nanny will LOVE! Put your ‘thinking cap’ on and think, “What will she like and would show or upmost appreciation to her?”

The BONUS!

It is very traditional that a nanny would receive a year-end bonus just like most corporate employees do – remember nannies are professionals. The standard bonus is equal to two weeks of salary with some families that like to do more. The bonus is something that families do in addition to their ‘special gifts’ from their family and children. This is a time to show your appreciation for your nanny’s hard work throughout the year.

Christmas, Nanny-versaries (reunion of hire date), Birthdays, and Nanny Recognition Week are all opportunities to show your appreciate to your nanny. When you recognize your nanny throughout the year, they feel appreciated and it will create a longer working relationship than those who do not.  When a nanny goes an entire year without recognition for her work, you will likely loose your nanny slowly, but surely. Sometimes a simple “Thank You” goes a LONG way to a nanny. In my nanny days, I have worked for a family for over 6 years and I never (and I mean NEVER) went a day without “Thank you Miss Danielle.”  That one simple statement means the most to me – being appreciated. Be sure to tell your nanny thank you through gifts (which can be the gift of words too) so she knows how much your family appreciates her. You don’t have to do anything big, just be thoughtful. Remember your nanny helps you keep that “Keep Calm and Carry On” in your family atmosphere.

During this holiday season don’t skip over your nanny’s name on your Christmas list.  Your “Nanny Extraordinaire” is your lifeline, your friend, your teammate, and lastly, your employee.  Be sure to pull out your creative hat and help the holidays be smooth around your house. Your nanny is there to help you get through the chaos and will gladly be your team captain!

THE WORD OF THE DAY

Appreciation.

Part of Speech: noun

Synonyms: acknowledgement, gratefulness, gratitude, indebtedness, obligation, recognition, testimonial, thanks, tribute.

1. gratitude; thankful recognition: They showed their appreciation by giving her a day off of work.
2. The act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value: They showed their appreciation by giving their nanny a Christmas bonus.
3. Clear perception or recognition, especially of aesthetic quality: a course in nanny appreciation.