The Nanny PlaybookSame calm words, whoever's home.
The Mini Mindfulness Playbook gives you and your nanny, or partner, or grandparent, the same three cards: Belly Breathing, Exploring Sound and Say It, Draw It, Move It. Each one is a five minute game that builds calm, listening and ways to show big feelings. Your tiny human builds a muscle for life at playtime.
- Written by a former nanny
- No nanny needed, any grownup can run it
- 5 minutes, no prep
- Print it or keep it on your phone
Your copy lands in your inbox as soon as you confirm your email.
It's free, and forwarding it to your nanny is encouraged. I respect your inbox as much as I respect nap time, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy
Belly Breathing, the whole card
When we breathe in slow and out slow, it tells our body we're okay, and our body starts to relax. It's a tool your tiny human can reach for on their own to ride the wave of a big feeling. Run it after nap or in the car.
- Put both hands on your tummy!
- Breathe in slowly through your nose until your tummy pushes your hands out like a balloon.
- Breathe out slowly until the balloon flattens.
- Do 5 rounds together, out loud, so they can copy your pace.
In the hard moment: hand on tummy, one slow balloon breath together, then talk.
Kids do best when the grownups use the same words.
When mom says one thing and the nanny says another, a tiny human tests both, usually at the worst moment: right after the handoff, at bedtime, in the car. Nobody did anything wrong, there are just two playbooks in the house.
The mini gives every grownup in their day, you, your nanny, a partner or a grandparent, the same three cards, the same words and a one minute recap, so whoever's home picks up right where the other left off.
Your first week, about five minutes a day
The plan is on page 4 of the mini. Share it with your nanny so you're both following the same one.
Get set up
Print it twice, one for the fridge and one for your nanny's bag, or text them the plan.
Belly Breathing
After nap or after school, when everyone's calm. Fill in a recap.
Belly Breathing again
This time right before a tricky moment: the handoff, bath or bedtime.
Exploring Sound
Outside if you can. Who can find a sound you don't usually notice?
Say It, Draw It, Move It
At playtime, everyone takes a turn. Write their favorite way to show a feeling on the recap.
Their pick
Your tiny human chooses a card and leads it for you.
Read the recaps
You and your nanny, together. What got easier? What made them giggle?
Gentle changes, on purpose
Wiggly and giggly
Clunky first tries are normal. Keep it light and come back to it another day.
They know the cards by name
Say "belly breathing" and they know the game, with you or with your nanny.
Tools to ride the wave
Big feelings still come. The goal is that they feel they have something to reach for when the big feelings arrive.
Ten pages, three cards
A welcome note, how the cards work, the first week plan, Belly Breathing, Exploring Sound, Say It, Draw It, Move It, recaps for whoever's home, and a map of what comes next.
Your first weekA day by day plan
Exploring SoundListening, ages 3+
Say It, Draw It, Move ItShowing a feeling, ages 4+
What comes nextAll 10 topics, ages 2 to 12
Questions
Do I need a nanny for this?
No. It's built so two grownups can run the same cards, whether that's a nanny, a partner, a grandparent or a sitter. Everything works with one grownup and their kids too.
What ages is it for?
Ages 2 to 12. Every card has a "littles" line to make it easier for 2 to 4 year olds and a "bigs" line to make it harder for 9 to 12 year olds, so siblings can play the same card.
How do I get it?
Pop in your name and email, click Confirm in the email that arrives, and the mini lands in your inbox right after. It's a PDF, so open it on your phone or print it at home.
What will you email me after that?
A short note most weeks with one technique you can use that day, plus the occasional note about the full Mindfulness Playbook. Unsubscribe anytime with one click.
Three cards, one set of words
Print one for the fridge, one for your nanny's bag, and try Belly Breathing tomorrow after nap.
Send me the Mini Playbook