I’m worn out.

[Anonymous]

I’m healthy, happy, and the nanny to two little children 3.5 and 1.5. I love them and love my job. But I’m so tired at the end of the day. The 3.5 year old goes to morning preschool but sometime I think the pick up and drop off with is harder than having her home all day.

Covid laziness caused me to gain 20 pounds. Could it be the added weight that’s exhausting me? I’m great at work but have no energy left on weekends or evenings.

[Anonymous]

Wow... your job is stealing all your energy and sadly you don't have enough energy to enjoy your free time after work or wknds. Some parents thinks they are helping when they enroll to young a toddler to P-K thinking this make the nanny work easier when the nanny has another younger kid. That's not true. And when the toddler start going only for 2 or 3 hours, certainly this brings more work to the nanny pick up and drops off always a nightmare. And that's true, having a toddler the whole day it's more easy. Try to eat better, maybe a little more healthier, this will help you to gain your energy back.

[Anonymous]

I was where you are, OP.

First, you have to prioritize your health and your sleep. And start drinking more water even if that means cutting short outdoor activities with the kids.

Second, small changes: do two push ups tonight or one squat. Build on that. I actually used to do my elliptical for one minute just to get back into the habit of exercising.

Third, institute a 30 minute quiet play with the preschooler when the baby is napping. Going eight or nine hours without a break is hard for everyone.

Fourth, make sure your weekends involve something joyful.

Good luck. Being a good nanny is a hard job!

[Anonymous]

It’s a hard job, OP.

Yes, losing the weight will help. The catch 22 when you’re tired is that you overeat and the subsequent weight gain makes you tired. Good luck!