Reply to What does your nanny do while your child is napping?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Takes a break just as you do, don’t expect her to do much. Caring for a child is a lot of work, hopefully you’re compensating her accordingly.[/quote]

When my kids were younger and napping, on weekends when I was home with them I used naptime to be productive. I didn't take a break. I got things done that I couldn't do with them awake or that were easier to do without them awake. Just like I expected the nanny to do. [/quote]

Best parenting advice I ever received was never do chores when the kids are asleep. I do chores while they play or they help. Nap time is me time.[/quote]

I can see the wisdom of that, but it seems just so impractical with two super little ones. My kids are 2.5 and just turned 1. With just one of them, chores are great and easy - I sort laundry, organize closets, unload the dishwasher, clean up the kitchen, sweep, no problem, they both like to "help."

Two of them together? It doesn't really seem possible. Especially because the baby can't "help" but wants to touch all the stuff involved, and the toddler can "help" but doesn't want baby in his way/touching the stuff, and she is a big climber, but then isn't always steady, and it's so easy for him to knock into her especially when frustrated... is I missing something? Or is this like a "wait a year" situation? If they were 3 years apart instead of 18 months, this seems much more manageable. [/quote]

I’m a nanny, not a mom, but I am pretty full-service.  For those ages, I babywear the little one a lot when getting stuff done (on my back).  They can still feel involved (hand them a spoon while we unload the dishwasher, ask them to point to where the soap is while I wash dishes.  I also will set one up with a sub-task (e.g., if I am prepping dinner, set the 2yo up with a damp sponge and a pile of carrots to “wash” the produce, while the little one helps me carry ingredients from the pantry to the counter, then switch and put the baby into a high chair with some damp dishes and a towel to “dry” them, while older helps me measure ingredients, then have older practice stirring something while I chop veggies, etc.  You can kind of get into a rhythm where someone is always contained somehow but you rotate often enough that they both feel included.[/quote]

Mom here. This is truly impressive and I’m in awe. I also don’t think I have anywhere near the creativity/patience to do this. Hats off to you. [/quote]

Aww, thanks!  I have been nannying for 15 years so a lot of it is practice! 🤣 But I also think it’s really much easier to do this kind of stuff together and then use naptimes for mental work.  It is pretty much impossible to (for example) enroll your kid in a toddler music class online with two tiny people climbing all over you jealous of the phone/laptop getting your attention.

So my rule of thumb is physical labor together, mental labor solo.[/quote]

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