Exploring the World Traveling as a Nanny: Perks and Realities
The Dream of Traveling as a Nanny
Traveling with a family as a nanny offers an exciting opportunity to combine work with adventure, allowing you to experience new cultures and destinations while caring for children. This unique part of a nanny job suits those with a love for travel and childcare, and those who are able to work a little outside the box.
Like any part of the nanny job, going with a family on a trip comes with its challenges and rewards. Here's what you need to know if you're considering traveling as a nanny.
Traveling with a Family: the Basics
Roles and Responsibilities
Traveling as a nanny means you continue your duties as a caregiver during a family's travels. You make sure that the kiddos remain safe, engaged, and cared for while away from home – and maybe that they get to have a little more fun than during your normal days back home.
Responsibilities might include:
Organizing and participating in children's activities
Managing daily routines including meals and bedtime
Assisting with travel logistics such as packing and transportation
Providing educational and playful interactions
The Perks of Traveling as a Nanny
Traveling with a family as a nanny can be profoundly rewarding, offering benefits such as:
Exploration and adventure: Travel nannies often visit exotic locations and enjoy experiences that would be otherwise expensive or difficult to access.
Cultural immersion: Living and traveling with a family allows for a deeper understanding of different cultures, enhancing personal and professional growth.
Building lasting bonds: Working closely with children in a family setting can lead to strong, lasting relationships, adding emotional depth to the job, even after you get home.
Challenges to Anticipate
While the job can be exciting, travel nannies also face challenges:
Long hours and flexibility requirements: The role can require long hours and adaptability to changing schedules and environments.
Personal time management: Balancing work responsibilities with personal time can be tricky, especially on longer trips.
Handling conflicts on the spot: Conflicts will come up – your ability to keep your head cool, communicate well, and find a solution that works for everyone is key to making the trip smooth and your working relationship thriving.
How to Succeed as a Travel Nanny
To thrive in this role, a successful travel nanny should:
Communicate clearly with families about expectations and boundaries.
Be proactive in managing both childcare duties and personal downtime.
Remain flexible and adaptable to the unpredictable nature of travel.
These three aspects are key to turning a challenging and demanding couple of days or weeks into a fun, exciting, and enriching experience. Definitely make sure to have a meeting with your family before the trip to go over their expectations and your needs so that they are aligned.
Discuss Compensation Up Front
Traveling is great, but for you, this is a work trip. You should be compensated for any additional hours you work as well as an overnight rate for each night you are away. Get this all squared away before the trip to avoid unpleasant surprises.
You can read more about the guidelines for compensation when traveling as a nanny from our very own Suzie Zeldin. Or, if you are a Smart Sitter, you can reach out directly to your dedicated team member or to the Smart Sitting Community Coordinator, Luke Winters, for advice and guidance.
The Fun of the Job
“At the end of the day, I’m doing this so the family can have a vacation. For the kids, it looks like I am there on a vacation, but in my head, there’s a rolling itinerary.”
— Smart Sitter Alexa
According to many who've worked in this capacity, the most enjoyable aspects of being a travel nanny include:
Witnessing children's wonder and excitement at new experiences.
Enjoying unique activities that are often part of the travel itinerary, such as theme parks, museums, and outdoor adventures.
The satisfaction of making travel smoother and more enjoyable for the entire family.
Take it from someone who knows
One of our super star Smart Sitters, Alexa, had this to say about traveling with families as part of her nanny job:
“You have to go in super grateful – you’re getting paid for an extra experience,” she starts. She recommends asking for a budget and guidelines in terms of what she’s allowed to plan and do with the kiddos. That way she’s able to make it special for the kids, while still having a great time herself.
“At the end of the day, I’m doing this so the family can have a vacation,” she continues. “For the kids, it looks like I am there on a vacation, but in my head, there’s a rolling itinerary.”
Are you ready to see the world?
Traveling as a nanny offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards, making it a coveted position for those passionate about children and exploration. And if you think you have what it takes to be a dedicated, engaging nanny both on the home front and out on adventure, you may be just the person we’re looking for.
At Smart Sitting, we are always looking to work with experienced and phenomenal nannies and help them find nanny jobs that really align with their skillset and needs. If you make it through our rigorous screening process, you can be matched with your ideal position and dream family. Click the link below to tell us about yourself and get started!