Three Tips for Nanny Travel!

Summer time is travel time for a lot of families here in NYC!  If you're lucky, perhaps you've been a nanny who gets to travel with your family.  Many nannies in NYC travel to the Hamptons, Catskills, Florida, California, and even internationally to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and beyond! 

Here are three tips for nannies to be the best employee ever, while having the best time ever!

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1.    Be prepared for anything!

      Flights get delayed. Cars break down. Babies cry during long flights. Accidents, meltdowns, and messes happen. Take it all in stride, and don't lose your cool -- your attitude will set the tone. Be as prepared as possible! Come up with a list of camp and road trip style games and songs. Pack extra clothes, educational activities, and fun things to do (a new box of crayons and stickers go a long way, and the dollar store is a gold mine). Make coffee your best friend, because chances are when your plane lands and you're massively jet lagged, you'll still be responsible for the kiddos while your bosses are resting or settling in. The key is to go with the flow, and be (happily) flexible!
      Come prepared about activities to do there. Research museum hours, public playgrounds and parks, and kid-friendly restaurants. All of these things will really alleviate some stress off your employers and make you invaluable. 

2.   Touch base about job details beforehand, while maintaining your flexibility.

      Basic expectations of the job, compensation, and accommodations should be discussed before you leave. What type of schedule will best help the family?  Are you expected to be on-duty for 24 hours, or will you have a break in the day?  Are you free to go out at night or at some other point in the day?   Will you be in charge of the children if they wake up in the night?
       A word of caution:  when asking specifics, stress your flexibility. No employer likes to feel they are working for you! However, you should be compensated if you are on-call watching a monitor while the parents are out to dinner or themselves sleeping, and you should have a minimum 4 hours off if you're working a 24-hour live-in shift. 

3.   Remember this is not your vacation; this is your job.

      While it may be very exciting to go to Paris, make sure to balance your personal enthusiasm. Avoid asking too many questions that are solely about your own interests. Don't make too many personal plans, even if you are told you will have off a specific time. Unless your boss insists you make plans and enjoy the city on your day off, make sure to stay flexible with your time.
​      When traveling with families, things often come up at the last minute. As a nanny, our attitude should be to be as helpful and as professional as possible. That may mean you need to communicate when you need a break to take care of yourself, too. But always remember to stay grateful (not entitled) you are getting to see new sights, all while being paid to take care of the children you love! Best job ever!