*This is the first in a How to Nanny Series! Stayed tune for more posts coming this summer!*
Summer is coming! People are ready to hit the road after being cooped up for over a year. Your nanny family has asked you to come along on a family vacation. What do you do? How do you prep? What should you expect?
First off, how exciting for you. Secondly, I’ve got you! I routinely traveled with my previous family in various configurations. Sometimes it was a family vacation I was able to join or a work trip for my bosses where I was solo care-giving in a new city. Some of my best nanny experiences have happened while traveling. Hotel life is my nanny sweet spot!
- Create a Contract for Each Specific Trip
It’s super important to get everyone on the same page, especially if you’re headed on a nanny family vacation. While this is a vacation for your employers, it is NOT a vacation for you. It’s still work and must be treated as such.
Some things to include in the contract would include:
*Extra Payment- You will be working more hours than during a typical week, your pay should reflect this extra work. Remember, your nanny bosses are paying for the convince of having you along with them. The standard for vacation pay is your hourly rate plus time and a half for any hours worked over your normal hours. Figure this rate out before you leave!
*Schedule- What hours/days are you on duty? What nights are you providing care for your charges? What are your days off?
*Food- Who pays for what? Are you invited to family meals when you’re aren’t working? What is the food budget when you are with the children?
My last family paid for all of my meals that I attended with them and gave me cash for each day that I was with the kids alone. They also provided me with a small per diem (daily food budget) for the days I was on my own. This, however, is not typical!
*Alcohol Policy- This might only pertain to me but when I was with my nanny family for meals it was part of our culture to have a glass of wine or beer with our dinner! Make sure the expectation is clear from the get go.
2. Make a Hotel Room Game/Snack Bag
Right before our trips the kids and I would make a run to the Dollar Tree to stock up on our hotel Mary Poppins’ Bag! I would give them a budget of about $5 depending on how long we would be gone. They could pick two or three toys and a few new snacks. These would be packed in my suitcase only to be brought out when we were in my hotel room. These things have saved my nanny sanity more times than I can count!
I would also pack small games, books, stickers and paper in my carry on bag for plane trips.
Brush up on your quiet indoor games as well! You never know when you might have to spend hours at the hotel.
3. Nanny Room on Another Floor of the Hotel
My mom boss used to ask the hotel to put my room on another floor, not because they didn’t want me around but because it gave me a little more privacy during the evenings. The elevator doubled as an activity for the kids. Sometimes we would just ride it between our rooms just for fun!
We also had adjoining rooms on one trip which turned out to be nice for mornings but not so well for evenings! I could hear the kids when I was off duty and they thought it was fun to knock on my door! It might work for some families.
4. Take Advantage of the Hotel Amenities
If there is a pool, plan a day to swim with the kids. Ask the concierge for child friendly activities in the area. Sometimes they can even offer discounts. Eat a hearty breakfast before going out and having fun!
5. Check Out Public Transportation Beforehand
Nothing is more nerve wracking than being in a new place with your charges. Getting a handle on the public transportation system before you leave will help you breathe a little easier when you get there. My charges LOVED public trains. Most times we would use the train system as just an outing in itself!
6. Research Kid Friendly Activities
Much like transportation, get a good grasp on what the city you’re visiting has to offer. Your nanny family is probably doing this as well, but it never hurts for nanny to find a few hidden gems. I’ve used the app Playground Buddy in the past to find local playgrounds. We’ve visited children’s museums in many Texas cities because of a simple google search by me before we left! Don’t forget to find adult friendly activities for when you have free time.
7. Find a Great Backpack
If you don’t already own one, look for one now! Something that is spacious enough for all the stuff you and the kids will need is like finding a unicorn! In mine I always carried diaper supplies, extra clothes for the kids, small first aid kit, cash in a secret pocket, water, snacks, and a small umbrella. Having an emergency contact card with your information, your bosses information, and your charges information is super important to have with you at all times. Don’t forget any medicines you or your charges need as well.
8. Make Time to Explore the City
My kids loved walking around a new city with zero plans! We would wander to find ice cream or a treat. We might practice our Eye Spy skills while looking at new things. It’s also a great time to work on map skills! Make a list of places you might want to visit on your day off.
9. Plan Downtime at the Hotel
After all the busyness of your day, you’re most likely looking forward to nap time at the hotel! If you have a napper, this is the perfect reset for your day. If you don’t have someone who naps, encourage a few hours back in the hotel room for everyone to rest. You’re gonna need it! Decide with your nanny bosses who is the adult in charge during this time. Sometimes my charges and I would nap together in my room while mom and dad had down time by themselves.
10. Lower Your Expectations
This is something that I had to learn after a few trips with another family. Remember, you’re there to do a job. Your bosses have asked you to travel with them because they need you. However, the clearer you and your bosses can make your trip specific contract the better it is for everyone. Go with the flow, enjoy yourself, and take tons of pictures!
The Teaching Nanny 
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