The Nanny PlaybookThe middle of a meltdown is the hardest time to learn something new. So they practice while they play.
Lots of kids save their biggest feelings for home, right when the nanny heads out or the car door shuts. You're not alone. This mini gives you and your nanny (or partner, or grandparent) one playbook, three five minute games that teach your tiny human skills for big feelings while they play, with no extra work for anyone.
- 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 in a minute or two.
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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 are on the same page.
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 and a one minute recap, so regardless of who is home, everyone 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.
The Silly Interrupt
Wait for a small stuck moment, the wrong cup or the shoes. Try one silly move and write which one worked on the recap.
Superhero Me
Pick their hero, list the hero's powers together, then practice a pretend tricky moment.
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 totally 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, The Silly Interrupt, Superhero Me, recaps for every grownup, and a map of what comes next.
Your first weekA day by day plan
The Silly InterruptStuck moments, ages 3+
Superhero MeBeing brave, ages 4+
What comes nextThe Big Feelings Playbook, 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, then tap Get my mini! in the email that arrives. 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 Big Feelings Playbook. Unsubscribe anytime with one click.
Three cards, one plan for every grownup
Print one for the fridge, one for your nanny's bag, and try Belly Breathing tomorrow after nap.
Send me the Mini Playbook