CanExplores

The ideal survival kit should have all the things a nanny needs for any emergency on an outing.  My daycare experience tells me I need wipes, diapers, snacks, emergency information, drinks, bottles, the favorite toy, and blanket. In a good survival pack, a nanny always has a few surprises like ribbon, balloons, or war paint.

However!!  Some days hard pressed to get a bottle in my purse with an extra diaper as we run out the door.  I wonder what happens to our brain when we have children to tote, carry, and cater.  It is as if all we know goes out the window along with the dirty diaper.  If I remember correctly when I studied Child Psychology and Child Development all the examples and suggestions came from children in laboratories, or child development centers who had 1 teacher to 1 or 2 children of the same age.  All things were child appropriate not life appropriate.  You can tell me that a child will listen to time out but I am telling you time out does not always work?  Does my child have a disability of some sort if they do not measure up to the ‘books’ standards?  Well, a very good question but NO ONE will actually answer that question except to say “each child is different, give him tummy time.”  So now what do I do when time out does not work for my 2-year-old or my 5 year old, does now know his alphabet?  Actually, you don’t do much; you try new strategies like stickers, positive discipline and rewards or admission of rewards.  Games are always good- be creative and makeup fun learning games that don’t seem like learning.

Oh I forgot myself for a second a child’s survival kit!!

I know great nanny’s have it all packed, in little pouches including band aids, Neosporin, burn cream, baby powered, sun screen, not to mention extra clothes!! Nevertheless, this nanny tries to keep it simple… too much to carry and I may forget the baby!  So let me see, in mine I have fruit snacks, soda water (flavored water), diapers, and a nice comfy blanket.  Yes all there!!  Our survival kit is ready, or is it?  As we begin to leave, the house one wants to take a toy, the other a doll, another needs bottles, and extra clothes.  A snack turns into a picnic… so each day brings different survival kits but the basics are always the same: love, caring, understanding, and patients.

Each person has their own unique survival pack, I am not sure what goes into any others nanny’s survival pack but for me, a good cup of hot Chai tea would be great!!  How about some aspirin, back brace, and ice packs for those good days we never forget.  As any nanny will tell you, it is always important that at the end of the day you pull out of your pack some candles, bubble bath and quiet music for the ME time.  A good nanny can’t stay good unless she can take care of herself.