Caring for the Caregiver: Mental Health Strategies from the Swiss Nanny Association for Nannies

Blue Monday, the supposed most depressing day of the year, has become a topic of conversation in recent years. And for nannies, who often spend their days caring for others, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves too. The job of a nanny can be demanding, both physically and emotionally, and it is essential to prioritize self-care and mental health to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The Swiss Nanny Association's Guide to Mental Health:

Setting boundaries

It is essential to set realistic expectations for yourselve and not take on more than you can handle. This includes learning to say "no" when necessary and delegating tasks when possible. Setting boundaries also includes setting aside time for yourselve and making sure you have a support system in place.

Making time for activities that bring joy

This can include anything from reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing yoga. It's essential to make time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax and recharge.

Also take care of your physical health by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular exercise. This not only helps to maintain physical health but also contributes to overall mental well-being.

Seek support when needed

This can include talking to a therapist, confiding in a friend, or joining a support group.

Being a nanny can be challenging, and seeking support can make a big difference in your mental health.

Another way you can take care of your mental health is by practicing mindfulness.

It can help you to be more aware of your own thoughts and emotions, which can help to better manage stress. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can be helpful in reducing stress and promoting well-being.

Be aware of the signs of mental health issues

This includes being aware of symptoms such as persistent sadness, anxiety, changes in behavior or sleep patterns, and difficulty coping with stress. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or the families you care for, it's important to seek professional help.

You have a unique opportunity to promote mental well-being in the families you care for

This includes encouraging healthy habits such as regular exercise, nutritious meals, and adequate sleep. We can also help families establish positive discipline techniques to encourage appropriate behavior in children, while also promoting their self-esteem and self-worth.

Nannies can help families create a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes children's cognitive, emotional and social develop

This includes providing educational activities and encouraging children to express themselves in healthy ways. You can also serve as role models for children, demonstrating healthy coping strategies, positive communication, and problem-solving techniques.

It is also important to help the children understand the importance of self-care and stress management techniques.

Nannies can also provide education and resources about mental health services that are available in the community.

It is essential to set realistic expectations for yourselve and not take on more than you can handle. This includes learning to say "no" when necessary and delegating tasks when possible. Setting boundaries also includes setting aside time for yourself and making sure you have a support system in place.We encourage all nannies to sign up and join the SNA community. Let's work together to promote self-care and mental health f

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8 ways you can support us without opening your wallet!

The holidays are a wonderful time for giving and sharing, but sometimes it can be hard to do everything we would like within our budget.

The following are eight ways you can support us without opening your wallet!

1. Support our mission:

Raise professional standards by promoting legal employment and quality in home childcare.

• Refuse jobs that are not 100% legal

• Declared work.. always

2. Volunteer

SNA has no paid staff - we only exists because of the incredible amount of time given by so many volunteers!

3. Volunteer your skills

Consider volunteering your specific skill set

4. Use Shopdonation

Shopdonation will send a portion of your purchase revenue to SNA! https://shopdonation.ch

5. Non-monetary donations

You might also have items sitting around unused in your home that you can donate without spending money! We are especially happy with arts and crafts material, childcare books for our library and clothes. We will organise a clothes sale again in 2023

6. Write a review and give us feedback

On Facebook

7. Share / Like our posts on social media

Tell your friends about us! Follow our social media and share our posts.

Facebook

Instagram

8. Encourage others to join our Association

Nannies and the GDPR

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation – applies as of the 25 May 2018 across the EU, to information concerning any citizen of the EU. It replaces the EU Data protection directive 1995 and is designed to be ‘technology neutral’. This means it applies to both paper and electronic records, and any other futuristic ways we have of storing data. GDPR does NOT apply in Switzerland and data privacy remains the responsibility of employers, as in Switzerland nannies are not independent contracters! However, both The Swiss Nanny Association ( SNA) and the British Association of Professional Nannies ( BAPN) believe it is better to be safe and hold personal information securely, particularly when it concerns people as vulnerable as children.

SNA will follow the BAPN to implement the following as industry standards:

• The information remains the property and responsibility of your employer. They should set out what data you hold, why you have it and what you may do with it in your contract.

• You may have certain separate permission letters or forms relating to medical acts or transport, for example. These are not yours to keep, they are related to your employment. When you leave a position you no longer need them and they can be destroyed. Any permission forms should simply reinforce what is in your contract.

• You probably take photographs of your charges for your employers. You may ask permission to use these as observations for externally assessed work. The course provider should have their own policy on how the data is handled, but you should also be careful to anonymise your charges in written work.

• Your insurance company may require you to keep copies of any accident records in case a claim is made in the future. These forms must be stored securely either on paper e.g. in a locked filing cabinet or electronically as scans in a password protected file.

Suggested contract clauses Under duties:

• Administer medication and first aid as required

• Take the children to pre-arranged appointments with healthcare professionals

• Undertake regular observations and if necessary record development

• The consent form for medication, first aid and consulting a medical professional is then an extension of this clause. This means you don’t need to take your contract with you to visit the doctor.

Under privacy:

• The Employee is permitted to take photos of the children for their own personal records and for the Employers’ use. The Employee must have the permission of the Employer if they at any time need to show photos of the children for training etc. The Employee is prohibited from distributing images of the children without the Employer’s specific prior consent including via social media networks.

• The Employee agrees to delete all contact numbers, images and personal information acquired during the course of their employment relating to the Employer’s family or any friends or relatives stored on mobile or electronic devices and to hand over paper records unless explicit, written consent is given at the end of the employment period.

What data do you hold? It is is a good idea to construct a data register. This may include:

• Children’s and parents’ names • Children’s dates of birth • Parents’ contact details • Parents’ employment/professional details • Contact details for other family members • Physical and mental health information • Contact details for other care providers (school, nursery, GP, dentist...) • Contact details for friends of the children • Photographs and video recordings of children, and possibly their friends • Learning journals, records of development and observations • Consent forms • Accident records

Why do you have it? Is it necessary for you to hold it or could it be held by your employers and accessed by you? You should only be holding information which is necessary for you to do your job. Some of this information may not need to be held by you (i.e. stored on your phone or computer).

How long do you have to hold it for? Most of this information is only needed as long as you are employed by the family. At the end of your employment you can suggest to your employer that they sign the following release: I [ employers name] hereby authorise [ employee name] to retain for his/her personal use: • My address • My telephone number • My email address • The dates of my children’s birthdays • Photographs of my children taken by him/her during his/her employment I also agree to provide a written reference with my contact details for use in future employment services which may be distributed to introduction or employment agencies and future employers.

Your employer should also be informing you what data they hold about you!