What to do when nanny

By Katie Herrick Bugbee

I don’t know about you, but the holiday season is pretty anxiety-educing. Between travel schedules, guest visits, shopping, cooking and spending gobs and gobs of money, it’s no longer my favourite time of the year. That is, until Christmas morning, when my kids tiptoe down the stairs sleepy, excited and a little terrified of what Santa might have brought. Their pure joy at seeing a room full of happiness makes all the work worth it.

But until that joyful moment, there are the small details. And if you have a nanny, life can be easier – and more complicated at the same time.

Take for example, her vacation. She deserves that joyful moment with her family as well. Do you hire a fill-in? And what about a suitable gift for the commitment she’s shown your family over the year? How much you tip or spend on the person who makes your life work?

At Care.com, we get these questions all the time. Here are some tips to make this part of your holiday as stress-free as possible:

1. Talk vacation time ASAP: In all the chaos it can be easy to assume the person who always makes life calm will be helping with the holiday bustle as well. But make sure. And if she needs a week off, discuss whether this will be paid or unpaid (we suggest paid).
2. Find a fill-in, with current nanny’s help: Start putting the word out for some help to be there for your family when your nanny is away. Perhaps this can even overlap with a family visit, or your own vacation time. Also make sure you’ll be covered for holiday parties and any time you need to yourself. Loop your nanny in on this search. Ask for her to help you screen the first round of applicants and narrow the sitters to 1 or 2 people for you to interview.
3. Budget for the holiday bonus: The going rate for a holiday bonus is a week or two of her salary. This can be tough to fork over during one of the most expensive times of the year, but it is a bonus-expected position. So budget in advance. If you really can’t afford it, tip her with what you can, but make sure you’re not bringing home bag after bag of presents for other VIP. She’s in your home every day — and she sees everything. Regular sitters can get an extra night’s pay as well.
4. Shop for a gift from the kids: The kids will want to give their nanny something they are proud of. Consider making something or taking them shopping to pick something within a certain budget. Quick tip: Make sure it’s something she can return and wouldn’t be expected to wear when she sees you (no raincoats or scarves).

Katie Herrick Bugbee is senior managing editor and global parenting expert for Care.com.