Tips For Going On Vacation With Your Nanny Family
When families go on vacation, most (if not all) rules and routines go out the window. Bedtimes, meals, daily activities: nearly everything is thrown out of whack. After all, changing things up is just one of the reasons why we enjoy vacations!
But for nannies who go on vacation with their employers to watch the kids, the changes can be unexpected, especially if you’re not prepared for them. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips for nannies who are vacationing with their nanny family below.
Discuss lodging and pay before the trip
We can’t stress this enough: make sure you talk to your employers about where you’ll stay and what you’ll be paid well before the trip. As the vacation draws nearer it’s easy to forget to have this conversation. Since you are working, your lodging, travel expenses, meals, and activities on the clock should be paid for. If your employers ask you to come along but refuse to pay, that’s a big red flag. It is their vacation, but since you’ll be working, consider it a business trip for you.
You should also be given a private room for the duration of the vacation. Sharing a room with the kids makes it harder to know when you’re technically on the clock or not. Plus, you need a safe space where you can rest and recharge away from work.
Review activities and schedules
Like we said, most rules and routines go out the window on vacation. That’s why it’s a good idea to check in with your boss and talk about what they’d like their kids to do. Will the parents get some alone time for date nights? Which vacation activities are appropriate for the kids and which aren’t? Will you be in charge of all snacks and meals, or will the family get back together for dinner? How much time off will you have to spend on your own?
Similarly, you may want to talk to your boss about who the kids should listen to when both nanny and parent are present. Their kids may be used to you being the authority figure on your own, but when everyone is together on vacation, who are they supposed to listen to? This can get stressful and confusing for everyone involved, so decide on a strategy before the vacation begins.
Pack what you need
When you talk to your boss about schedules and activities, this is the perfect time to get an idea of what to pack for yourself. What you pack for a Caribbean cruise will obviously be very different from a ski trip in Aspen. Talk about your vacation schedule and what you’re expected to do with the kids. Look up what the typical weather will be like in case you need to pack special items like snow boots or a raincoat. And of course, check that your passport is valid if you’re going on an international trip.
Enjoy yourself
Finally, enjoy yourself! Yes, you’re going to be working on this trip, and nannying at home can be tough, but don’t be too hard on yourself and do the best you can do. Traveling with kids is challenging and unpredictable. When you follow the tips in this post and prepare yourself well, that’s all you can do to ensure this vacation runs smoothly. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationships with the kids and parents, so enjoy it.
For more tips on working for your nanny family, check out the A Perfect Fit blog! We offer advice on topics like preparing for the nanny recruitment process, working with a nanny agency like A Perfect Fit, and finding the right childcare profession for you.
