Summer travel time is here, and many of our nannies are gearing up to accompany their employers on vacations. New adventures can be exciting, but also unpredictable and potentially taxing, so we want to help you plan ahead! If you have never done this before, let me be the first to break the news to you that this is not your vacation; it’s essentially working away from home. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a great experience, but preparation and communication are the keys to a successful trip. Here are some tips
1. Have a Pre-Trip Conversation: This is the most important and longest of the steps, because it sets the stage for expectations, and eliminates most of the miscommunication that can happen during the trip.
- Schedule: Get an understanding of the estimated work hours while traveling. What downtime will you have? Will the children be sitting with you on the airplane? Will you be expected to watch the children in the evenings so your employers can go out for dinner, etc.? Will you have your own room or space, or will you be rooming with the children? As I’m sure you’d prefer, we highly recommend a separate space. Set boundaries and explore options so that you are not working around the clock, which will quickly burn you out. At a minimum, you need time off to decompress in your own private space or go for a walk.
- Compensation: The industry standard is to receive your regular hourly rate for all hours worked (1.5x for any hours over 40/week), and an overnight stipend (call us for guidance if you have questions on this amount; it typically covers items like animal boarding, housesitting, other expenses).
- Expenses: Airfare, hotel, meals eaten with the family and/or children (see next bullet for meals on your own), entrance fees to attractions with the family and/or children, and transportation with the family and/or children) should be covered as well.
- Outings/Activities: Will you be expected to attend family outings? (e.g., beach, movies, etc.) Is this for fun (optional) or to help with the children? What outings are considered “on the clock”? Will you be joining the family for all meals? How will your meals be covered during non-working hours? (e.g., food allowance, specific restaurants permitted, room service, reimbursement, stipend)
- Responsibilities: Will you be responsible for cooking any meals, grocery shopping, dishes, laundry, errands, or any other specific tasks? Are you meeting with others during the trip, who have children and will you be expected to care for their children as well (this will require added compensation and only if you are comfortable with the added responsibility)?
- Packing: Will you be packing for the children? What will you specifically need to pack? Some travel essentials include: quiet toys or activities, basic meds or first aid items, copies of medical cards or permission forms, and travel-size laundry detergent and snacks. Make sure you avoid overlapping packing these items with the family.
2. Be patient with the kids
Travel can be exciting for children, but it often throws their routines out the window. New surroundings, different sleep schedules, and the constant presence of both parents and their nanny can leave little ones feeling overstimulated, emotional, or unsure of the rules. It’s completely normal for behaviors to shift, and sometimes those changes happen fast. As the nanny, it’s important to approach these moments with empathy, flexibility, and a healthy dose of humor. Patience will go a long way, and seeing the situation through a lens of understanding can help everyone get through the bumps more smoothly.
3. Communicate Daily and Be Flexible
Regardless of the location, it’s helpful to check in with your employers daily, even if it’s just a quick conversation. Touch base about the schedule, what’s going well, and anything that may need adjusting. Proactive planning can prevent many issues, especially when you aim to maintain the children’s usual routines for sleep, meals, and downtime whenever possible. Of course, travel rarely goes exactly as planned. When things shift, your calm, flexible, and positive attitude not only helps keep the day on track, but also sets a great example for both the children and the parents.
4. Stay Professional, Even When It’s Casual
This topic can feel a little tricky, since it blends personal judgment with professional expectations. Here’s what we recommend keeping in mind. No matter where your job takes you, whether it’s a beach resort or a family’s second home, it’s important to maintain the same level of professionalism you bring to your regular work environment. That means continuing to hold clear boundaries around personal details, your attire, and your demeanor.We want to be clear—this is not about judging your personal choices or how you spend your own vacation time. However, while you’re on a family trip in a professional role, modest clothing, avoiding alcohol or other substances, and keeping your conversations and behavior respectful are all essential.Even if a family takes a more relaxed approach to their own behavior, the reality is that caregivers are often held to a higher standard. That doesn’t mean families can disregard your boundaries or treat you unfairly. But since you can only control your own actions, we encourage you to keep in mind that your presence and conduct are always observed, even in casual settings.Your professionalism matters, and it speaks volumes about your reliability, judgment, and respect for the trust families place in you.
5. Take Care of Yourself Too
It can be tempting to stay fully available to the family throughout the entire trip, especially when everyone is in close quarters. However, your downtime is essential. Unfortunately not every family thinks about it, and you may need to be the one to speak up and ask for a break. That’s completely appropriate, as taking time for yourself benefits everyone. We recommend having a pair of tennies and headphones to take a walk if you need an easy excursion, or bringing a book for a quiet moment to reset. Either way, small breaks can make a big difference. While this isn’t your vacation, staying rested and recharged isn’t optional, it’s part of what allows you to show up with patience, focus, and your best self throughout the trip.
We know you have the skills to make summer travel a win for everyone! If you incorporate a pre-plan, keep communication open, maintain boundaries, plan for the unexpected, and give yourself some downtime, you’ve greatly increased the chances for a truly successful vacation with the family. Please reach out to Melanie if you need any other advice or specific tips depending on your family and plans.