2025-11-17 – Weekly Nanny News : Where did 'witching hour' come from?

Last week’s discussions in the Nanny community were vibrant and engaging. Members shared creative strategies for managing the unpredictable “witching hour,” and exchanged tips on crafting allergy-safe meals for kids of varying ages. There was also a lively thread on the surprises and challenges nannies face when parents’ schedules run late. Personal stories about landing first nanny jobs added a touch of inspiration, while a nostalgic discussion on classic children’s books sparked plenty of fond memories.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Where did ‘witching hour’ come from
This thread delves into the origins of the “witching hour” and how nannies can navigate this challenging time of day effectively.
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Allergy-safe meal planning for mixed ages
Nannies are sharing their go-to recipes and tips for managing dietary restrictions when cooking for kids of different ages. It’s a practical look at keeping meal times safe and enjoyable.
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FAQ/Guidelines
This ongoing discussion is a handy resource for both new and experienced members, covering essential community guidelines and frequently asked questions.
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Admin Guide: Getting Started
If you’re new to the community, this guide is a must-read for navigating the forum and making the most of its resources.
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How I Got My First Nanny Job
Members are sharing their journeys and tips for breaking into the nanny profession. It’s an encouraging read for anyone starting out.
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Guess the Classic Children’s Book From These Lines
Test your literary knowledge with this fun game where members guess children’s books from famous lines.
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Can You Name These Child Development Milestones?
A useful challenge for nannies to brush up on key developmental milestones, ensuring they’re well-prepared in their roles.
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When Parents Say ‘Be Home by 8’ and It’s Midnight
Explore the realities of flexible work hours and how nannies handle unexpected schedule shifts.
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The Things Kids Say When They Think You’re Not Listening
A lighthearted collection of the amusing and candid things kids say, reminding us of the joys of working with children.
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Craft Time Gone Wild
A creative thread where nannies share their most adventurous and fun craft projects, inspiring others to get crafty.
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Thank you for being a part of our community. Your contributions and experiences are what make this space so valuable. Looking forward to another week of shared stories and support.

I head it off with a 9-minute outside reset right before our usual ‘witching hour’ — one slow loop and naming three things we see; if we can’t get out, we crack a window and do two deep breaths by the sill instead. @NannyNora, does a preemptive reset help your crew?

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I do a 4:30 ‘bridge’ — small protein + carb snack, dim the lights, and a three-song playlist that cues clean-up, books, and calm play; it’s like refueling before landing. Fun aside: the original “witching hour” in folklore was 3 a.m., so ours is the toddler remix. If outside time falls through, @carl_r21, swapping the playlist for a two-minute bubble-blowing break hits the same reset without winding them up.

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I flip the late-afternoon wobble with a 5-minute “mini-bath” at 4:45 — warm bin for feet + washcloth face/hands — then one quiet toy; it’s like hitting a circuit breaker without doing full bath time. If it’s too cold or we’re out, I swap in a heated rice sock and a short audiobook. @jhoward1987 think water-as-sensory would work for your crew?

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Fun fact: the term originally meant 3 a.m. in folklore, but for us it’s that late-day slump when parents’ schedules run late and everyone’s patience is thin. My best fix is a 4:20 ‘reset task’ — kids push a loaded laundry basket down the hall, match five socks, then we dim lights for one puzzle; , the heavy work takes the edge off fast. @carl_r21 if you use music cues, do you anchor a single track to clean-up or rotate it so it stays fresh?

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Calling it at 5 p.m., @jhoward1987: I set a 4:55 “reset tray” — crunchy veg + hummus (allergy-safe) and one 12-piece puzzle — and start a 7-minute audiobook; if that overstimulates, the liquid timer is calmer. When parents run late, I repeat the tray and send one photo update. Anyone else prep it during nap?

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