Plan A, B, and Beyond: Flexible Nannying in South Florida

Let’s play a game! Hold up your hand.

Put a finger down if you’ve ever had to change plans because of the weather.

Put a finger down if you’ve ever had to change plans due to a toddler meltdown.

Put a finger down if you’ve ever had to change plans because a child was sick—or you were!

Put a finger down if you’ve ever had to change plans because of a school or sporting event.

Put a finger down if you’ve spent weeks planning a trip and something changed at the last minute.

Are you staring at some or all five of your fingers or a fist?

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Hello! I’m Alyssa, a career nanny—and right now, I’m staring at my fist.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over many years working with children (besides the sacred importance of snacks and sunscreen in South Florida), it’s this: having a backup plan is absolutely essential.

Children are wonderfully unpredictable. They’re little bundles of emotion, often just one moment away from a meltdown. And really, can we blame them? They live in a world where others are constantly making the rules—telling them what to do, where to go, and how to behave.

Who doesn’t crave a little autonomy in their day? I know I do!

As children grow, we start to give them small choices: what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, what book to read before bed. But when that growing need for independence gets blocked—boom! The emotional bubble bursts.

That’s why every nanny needs more than just a Plan A. We need a Plan B. And sometimes C. And yes—occasionally even D.

Because flexibility isn’t just helpful in this line of work—it’s survival.

Why Plan A Isn’t Enough

I absolutely love working with children—it’s a deep passion of mine. I’ve dedicated much of my life to studying child development so I can show up as the best version of myself in my role as a nanny.

There’s a wealth of knowledge highlighting the importance of structure and routine in a child’s life. And personally, I know how anxious I feel when I walk into a situation without a plan or clear expectations. Imagine how overwhelming that must feel for a child, who has far less control over their environment.

As nannies, we know that planning helps create security. But here’s the key: too much rigidity can backfire when things don’t go according to plan.

One of my favorite memories comes from a “Plan B” day. I was working in a home with a toddler and school-aged children, and as often happens, one of the older kids had to stay home sick—forcing me to shift gears.

Try explaining to a two-year-old that their exciting trip to the splash pad isn’t happening anymore. It’s a delicate moment, one that needs empathy, patience, and a little creativity.

I remember gently saying:“Your brother’s not feeling well, so we’re staying home to help him feel better. But guess what? We’re still going to play outside—and you can take out all the fun pool toys!”

Start with the tough news, and end with something they can look forward to. That small shift helps preserve their emotional balance.

We ended up having a picnic lunch outside—soaking up the South Florida sunshine while enjoying his favorite toddler-approved meal. It turned out to be a beautiful day.

Building Your Plan B and Plan C Muscles

Mastering the art of backup planning takes practice—and often depends on the family you’re working with. I’ve been in homes where parents take the lead on structuring the day and communicate Plans B, C, and beyond as things shift. Working with these families taught me the fundamentals of anticipating changes and staying flexible.

Whether it comes naturally or not, being able to adjust on the fly while still aiming for Plan A is a key skill for success in this work. I like to call it layered planning—building in flexibility without sacrificing intention.

One mother I worked with was passionate about her son attending Mommy & Me music classes at the local library. I loved those classes too—they help children learn to follow instructions from other adults, socialize with peers, and develop creativity along with fine and gross motor skills.

That morning, music class was the plan—but my toddler friend had other ideas. The meltdowns started early, and it quickly became clear that forcing him into a group activity where joy is the expectation just wasn’t going to work.

So, I pivoted.

I always try to include children in building Plans B and C whenever I can. In this case, I offered him two choices: – We could stay inside and follow along with a few fun, kid-friendly freeze dance videos on YouTube, – Or we could take our musical instruments outside and have our own parade around the house.

And if neither of those options felt right to him, I had a backup to the backup: put on some music and let him move freely in a designated space, while I quietly organized toys or took care of a few admin tasks for Mom.

The goal wasn’t just to “get through the day”—it was to stay aligned with the day’s intention (music and movement), even if the form looked different. That’s the muscle we build as nannies: the ability to adapt without losing the heart of what we’re trying to create.

The Art of the Pivot in Stressful Moments

Have you ever heard someone say that children feed off the energy around them? (Maybe that’s why they’re always so energized… and we nannies are not—LOL.)

Well, it’s true.

Children are incredibly perceptive, and they mirror the emotional tone of the environment. You rarely see one child sitting calmly while the rest of the room is bouncing off the walls—the excitement is contagious, and kids soak it all in.

But this also applies to more difficult emotions. When stress or frustration enters the room, children sense it—and often amplify it. That’s why it’s so important to remain calm and grounded, especially in those unexpected “pivot” moments.

I like to think of myself as the calm in the chaos. If I stay steady, keep a gentle tone, and wear a reassuring smile—even when things go sideways—then the children I care for have no reason to panic. And if they’re already upset, my calmness becomes an anchor that helps bring them back down.

That said, no one is perfect. I certainly have my moments. There have been plenty of times I’ve had to pause and say—whether to a child or even an adult— “I’m feeling frustrated right now. I’m going to take a step back, take a deep breath, and calm down so we can work through this together.”

That’s not weakness—it’s modeling.

It teaches children that big emotions are normal, and that they have the tools to navigate them in a healthy way.

So the next time your Plan A falls apart, remember: your calm presence might just be the most important Plan B of all.

Staying One Step Ahead of Parents

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a nanny is that the need to pivot often doesn’t come from the children—it comes from the parents. Their schedules shift, their priorities change, and sometimes they forget to communicate last-minute needs. That’s when staying one step ahead becomes essential.

It didn’t happen overnight. With time, experience, and plenty of trial and error, I learned how to anticipate what parents might need before they even ask. As I got to know their routines, expectations, and stress points, I became more than just a caregiver for the children—I became a support system for the entire family.

Because at the end of the day, I wasn’t just hired to care for the kids. My job is to set everyone up for success, parents included.

The key? Clear and consistent communication.

Whether you’re working in a home with no additional staff or in a fully staffed household, identify your main line of communication. Find the person who always knows what’s going on—the one who can give you the details that help you stay ahead. Build trust with them, and stay connected. That relationship will make your job infinitely smoother.

Once I had clarity on expectations and found that communication flow, I shifted from being reactive to being proactive. Something I can take pride in, as I talk to you about it today.

One of my favorite examples: the mom I worked for would come downstairs from an all-day meeting, hop in her truck to take her child to baseball practice, and find everything ready to go—snack packed, uniform laid out, water bottle filled, and extras in the bag. She didn’t have to ask. I was already two steps ahead.

Being prepared isn’t just about logistics—it’s about trust. It’s built over time, through small wins and consistency. So if you’re still figuring it out, don’t stress. Stick with it, be patient, and keep showing up. That trust—and your ability to stay ahead—will grow stronger every day.

Flexibility as a Superpower

Take a moment to be proud of the nanny you are today—you’ve come a long way! If you’ve reached a place where flexibility and adaptability feel second nature, congratulations. That’s no small feat. You’re not just a nanny with a heart for children—you’re a nanny with a superpower: Flexibility.

But like any true superpower, flexibility must be used wisely.

It doesn’t mean saying “yes” to everything or allowing your boundaries to disappear. It means being ready for the unexpected, adjusting with grace, and still showing up prepared, composed, and dependable.

I have over a decade of stories that showcase this skill, but there’s one that stands out—so vividly, I can still hear the dad’s voice and picture his face.

We had spent weeks preparing for a summer full of travel. I had meticulously packed for multiple children (and myself), organizing our belongings by destination so we could live out of duffel bags for a couple of months with ease. The plan was solid. We were ready.

Then, on departure morning, just as I was hauling the last set of bags out of the elevator, Dad walked up to me. And I knew: it was either “summer is canceled” or “we’re going somewhere else.”

It turned out we were pivoting—but not canceling.

We had to make some last-minute changes to the itinerary, which meant I had to quickly reassess what we’d need and adjust our packing accordingly. I took a deep breath, laughed (because sometimes, you have to laugh), walked back upstairs, and grabbed the extra items we needed.

Thanks to careful planning—and some great teamwork with Mom—we didn’t miss a beat. We flew out with everything we needed, and that summer turned out to be one of the most memorable I’ve ever had with a family.

Flexibility allowed me to move through that moment with calm confidence. It’s a skill honed over time, born of experience, and rooted in trust—both in yourself and the families you work with.

So if you're already tapping into that superpower, use it often and use it well. And if you’re still working on it? Keep going. It’s one of the most valuable gifts you can bring to this work.

Be the Anchor, Not the Alarm

Before we wrap up, I want to leave you with this:

Nannies are an invaluable asset to the families we support. We don’t just bring experience in child development—we bring teamwork, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and a level of reliability that’s hard to put a price on.

So let this be your reminder: Aim to be present and prepared, not perfect. Perfection isn’t the goal—growth is. Get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable now and then. That’s where your most meaningful growth happens.

Keep practicing layered planning. Keep building your adaptability muscle. And most of all, keep being the calm in the chaos.

Because in those moments when things don’t go as planned, your presence is powerful. Be the anchor—not the alarm.

And finally:

The best days might start with Plan A…but the most memorable ones?

They usually begin with Plan C.

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About the Author: Alyssa brings over a decade of private childcare experience, backed by degrees in Education and Human Development. After leading a household team as a Nanny and Family Assistant for a UHNW family, she now supports candidates at Oceanside Staffing through every step of the interview process.