Are you facing a Chinese New Year Ayi shortage?

We are going away this year, but from previous experience the way we deal with it is preparation and routine.

Have enough pureeed baby food in the freezer and snacks like frozen dumplings, soups and things for adults to quickly defrost and eat. The few days before the holiday are always filled with the ayi stocking the freezer and giving the house a really good clean! Have the ayi change the sheets her last day, and they should be fine until she returns. Figure our what nearby restaurants will be open for delivery in the evenings in case you don't want to cook every night.

Just like when you are on holiday.... stick to your regular routine as much as possible, add in some fun family time every day - maybe a daily outing at the same time every day (before the lunchtime nap always works well for us and helps tire them out, we eat lunch out then with them then get home for the nap, or an afternoon swim just before dinner bath and bedtime also is a sure winner for exhausting them and lots of fun too!). Take this time to read a lot of books, spend more time on English if the baby is usually with a Chinese speaking ayi. Remember, they don't actually need to be entertained at this age, they aren't going to get bored - so don't feel you have to do anything... but we find it is nice for all of us to have something a bit different to do.

Clean after the baby goes to bed at night. Just basic hoover/sweep/dust as well as a good clean of kitchen and bathroom. No need to do the windows or the weekly stuff. Don't forget laundry too...

Prepare the night before for the next day - steralise what needs to be, prepare whatever foods you can in advance, lay out clothing, etc... the more you do while they are asleep, the easier when they are awake.

Also, you only have one baby, but two adults - so schedule time for each of you to get special time with the baby while the other gets a break.

At least this is what we do, except now we have two babies so it is a bit more work, but it isn't so bad if you have a good approach and are organised.

Relax and enjoy it, and take lots of photos and videos of your (almost) 10 month old baby!