As December 25th arrives and Christmas celebrations fill homes across Marbella and Madrid, we at The Governess & Co find ourselves in a reflective mood. This season naturally invites pause—moments to step back from daily operations and consider what truly matters. For us, that means reflecting on the families we’ve served, the nannies and housekeepers we’ve placed, and the countless ways that professional childcare and household support have transformed lives throughout this remarkable year.
The Heart of What We Do
When we founded The Governess & Co, we envisioned creating more than a staffing agency. We wanted to build a service that genuinely understood that behind every placement request lives a family seeking support, balance, and peace of mind. Behind every nanny application stands a professional hoping to find families who truly value their expertise and dedication.
This year reinforced our founding vision in countless beautiful ways. We’ve witnessed transformations that extend far beyond simply filling positions or completing transactions. We’ve seen genuine relationships form, family dynamics improve, and children flourish under consistent, loving professional care.
Matches That Became Family Bonds
Perhaps our greatest source of pride this year involves the quality of matches we’ve created. When families first contact us, they’re often stressed, overwhelmed, and uncertain about inviting someone into their intimate family life. Nannies and housekeepers approach us hoping to find positions where their skills will be appreciated and their contributions valued.
Creating matches that satisfy both parties requires more than matching qualifications to job descriptions. It demands deep understanding of personalities, communication styles, family cultures, and the intangible chemistry that determines whether professional relationships become genuine partnerships.
This year brought numerous moments when we knew we’d achieved these magical matches. Families who initially approached childcare as necessary logistics discovered nannies who became beloved family members. Children who needed stability found caregivers they genuinely adore. Nannies seeking professional homes discovered families who celebrate their expertise rather than simply tolerating their presence.
The testimonials we’ve received throughout the year consistently emphasize this quality of relationship. Families don’t simply report satisfaction with services rendered—they express genuine gratitude for the people we’ve brought into their lives and the transformative impact these relationships have created.
Children Thriving Under Professional Care
Ultimately, our work exists to serve children’s wellbeing and development. Every placement decision, every careful match, and every support service aims toward creating environments where children can flourish.
This year provided countless reminders of why this work matters so profoundly. We’ve witnessed shy children gaining confidence through patient nanny encouragement, seen multilingual capabilities develop through consistent language exposure, and observed emotional regulation skills strengthen under professional caregivers who understand child development deeply.
Perhaps most meaningfully, we’ve seen children develop the kind of secure attachments to their nannies that child development research identifies as crucial for healthy emotional growth. When children run excitedly to greet their caregivers, seek their comfort during distress, and eagerly share discoveries and achievements with them, we know these relationships provide far more than supervision—they’re genuinely shaping children’s developmental trajectories.
Homes Transformed Into Sanctuaries
Beyond childcare, our housekeeping and domestic staff services have transformed how families experience their homes. We’ve watched households shift from sources of constant stress and overwhelming responsibility into genuine sanctuaries where families can relax and connect.
Professional housekeepers don’t simply clean—they absorb the mental load of household management that exhausts busy parents. They create and maintain systems that allow homes to function smoothly without constant parental attention. They preserve the order and cleanliness that allows families to focus on relationships rather than endless domestic tasks.
The impact of this transformation extends beyond clean countertops and organized closets into fundamental improvements in family wellbeing. Parents report feeling genuinely able to relax in their homes for the first time in years. Children benefit from calmer, more present parents who aren’t constantly distracted by household concerns. Entire family systems function more smoothly when domestic management receives professional attention.
Family Holidays Reimagined
Our travel nanny services expanded significantly this year, helping families discover that holidays can genuinely feel restful rather than simply relocating stress to different locations. We’ve placed travel nannies who transformed potentially overwhelming family trips into genuinely enjoyable experiences for everyone involved.
Parents who approached family travel with dread discovered that professional support allows them to actually enjoy destinations rather than simply managing children’s needs in unfamiliar settings. Children benefited from consistent care and familiar routines even amid exciting new environments. Entire families returned from holidays feeling genuinely refreshed rather than more exhausted than before departure.
These successes reinforced our understanding that luxury isn’t about expensive accommodations or exclusive destinations—it’s about having the support that allows genuine rest and enjoyment.
Community Building
This year also brought beautiful expansion of our community-building efforts through partnerships like our collaboration with Marbella Mums Club. These events and activities reminded us that families thrive not just through individual household support but through connection to broader communities.
The cooking classes, playdates, and gatherings we’ve facilitated created opportunities for children to build friendships, parents to connect with others navigating similar experiences, and our community to recognize that we’re all in this parenting journey together.
These events embody our belief that raising children genuinely requires villages—networks of support, connection, and shared experience that no nuclear family can provide alone.
Gratitude for Trust
As we reflect on this year, our deepest feeling is gratitude—gratitude for the families who trusted us with their most precious relationships and responsibilities, for the nannies and housekeepers who brought their best selves to our families, and for the opportunity to do work that genuinely matters.
Inviting professional caregivers into family life requires enormous trust. Parents must believe that we understand their unique needs, that we’ll match them with people who share their values, and that we’ll support these relationships even when challenges arise.
This trust represents a profound responsibility we never take lightly. Every placement decision, every candidate evaluation, and every client consultation carries the weight of families’ wellbeing and children’s development.
Looking Ahead
While this reflection focuses on the year behind us, we can’t help but feel excitement for what’s ahead. The relationships we’ve built this year create foundations for continued growth and service. The lessons we’ve learned inform how we’ll serve families even better moving forward.
We have plans, aspirations, and resolutions for how The Governess & Co will continue evolving to serve our community’s needs. But those thoughts deserve their own dedicated reflection rather than being rushed into this Christmas message.
Our Christmas Wish
As Christmas arrives, our wish for every family we’ve served—and every family we might serve in future—is simple: May your homes be filled with the laughter of children and the warmth of genuine connection. May you experience the peace that comes from knowing your family is supported and your children are thriving. May you find moments of genuine rest amid the beautiful chaos of family life.
For the nannies and housekeepers who make our work possible, we wish recognition of your invaluable contributions, professional environments that honor your expertise, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing your work genuinely transforms lives.
For everyone in our community, we wish holidays filled with whatever brings you joy—whether that’s cherished traditions passed through generations or new celebrations you’re creating with your own families.
With Gratitude
Thank you for being part of The Governess & Co story. Thank you for trusting us with your children, your homes, and your peace of mind. Thank you for the testimonials that remind us why this work matters. Thank you for building our community into something genuinely special.
From everyone at The Governess & Co, we wish you the merriest of Christmases and the most joyful of holiday seasons.
With deep gratitude and warm wishes, The Governess & Co Team
Curious about our resolutions and plans for supporting families even better in the coming year? Stay tuned for next week’s blog post where we’ll share our vision for the future!