We don’t know what your plan will be.

But you need to have one.

As winter storms move through Washington DC, Ohio, Boston, Nashville, and Rhode Island, families and nannies are once again facing decisions that don’t fit neatly into a schedule. Severe winter weather changes travel conditions quickly and directly affects care inside the home.

Unsafe roads. Power outages. Ice. Snow. Downed trees. Limited access to food or heat. These are not abstract concerns. They are real, and they affect the people showing up for your children every day.

‍

Care has to be bigger than schedules during winter weather

Winter storms change what’s possible.

Driving conditions can deteriorate overnight. Roads that were manageable one day can become unsafe by morning. Public transportation may be delayed or shut down entirely. Emergency response times slow during snow and ice events.

In the DMV even light snow or ice can create gridlock and unsafe commutes.
In Ohio, winter storms can vary dramatically by region and timing.
In Boston, snow accumulation and reduced visibility make travel hazardous.
In Nashville, ice storms often pose the greatest risk due to limited winter infrastructure.
In Rhode Island, coastal weather patterns can intensify storms quickly.

Expecting care to operate as usual without accounting for these conditions puts unnecessary pressure on everyone involved.

This is hard on both sides and we see that

Families may feel anxious about work schedules, coverage, and sudden changes.
Nannies may feel concerned about commuting safely during snow or ice and about what speaking up might mean for their role.

Both realities can exist at the same time.

What matters is not pretending the tension isn’t there. What matters is addressing it early, with respect and clarity, before safety becomes a last-minute conversation.

‍

Safety is not optional and support matters

Winter storms bring real risks. Unsafe roads. Power outages. Loss of heat. Limited access to food or emergency supplies.

Choosing not to travel in dangerous conditions is not a lack of professionalism.
Expecting flexibility during severe weather is not unreasonable.

Nannies deserve to feel supported when making safety based decisions. Families have a responsibility to consider the well-being of everyone in their home, not just the schedule.

Safety should never be negotiated after the fact.

There are rare moments when coverage truly matters and planning matters even more

There are families whose work does not pause for weather. Some are navigating time sensitive commitments, critical meetings, or life altering events that cannot be rescheduled. Others work across time zones, including families based on the East Coast whose responsibilities align with the West Coast and are unaffected by local weather conditions.

In these situations, coverage may feel non-negotiable.

When that is the case, safety still comes first.

One option some families choose is offering a nanny the opportunity to stay overnight ahead of a storm to avoid unsafe travel. When done thoughtfully, this can support both continuity of care and personal safety.

This option only works when everyone is prepared.

That means clear communication in advance, a comfortable and appropriate place to stay, agreed-upon expectations, and genuine choice. An overnight stay should never be assumed, pressured, or presented as the only acceptable solution.

When families plan ahead and nannies are given the space to make informed decisions, solutions like this can work well for everyone involved.

Every role is different. Communication should be consistent.

There is no single rule that applies to every household or every storm. Commute distance matters. Transportation options matter. Household flexibility matters.

What does not change is the need to communicate early.

Talk before roads are iced over.
Talk before someone feels pressured into an unsafe decision.

Early communication creates options. Silence removes them.

You may not know your plan yet. But you need one.

Weather forecasts https://www.weather.gov change. Winter storms escalate. Conditions shift faster than expected.

Across Washington DC, Ohio, Boston, Nashville, and Rhode Island, winter storms will continue to disrupt in-home care. That is unavoidable.

What is avoidable is confusion, pressure, and unsafe expectations.

Plans may change.
That does not mean something has gone wrong.

Choosing safety and supporting the people who care for your children means something has gone right.

‍

If questions come up as you navigate winter weather, we’re here.

Pink Nannies supports families and nannies through moments like these with experience, clarity, and care. Explore additional resources on our blog or reach out to our team if you need guidance.