Going for a vacation with your nanny? Here is what you should consider

While some families opt to travel without a nanny, others ask their nannies to accompany them.

But is your vacation a vacation for your nanny too?

Some believe even if a nanny has a great time on vacation and gets to do a lot of fun activities, it is still a work trip for them. So, is it really a vacation for them?

Bringing a nanny on vacation with you is a great way to get the most out of your vacation so you can get some much-needed relaxation and also get the opportunity to go out for an adult dinner or excursion during the day.

Here are things to consider while travelling with a nanny.

1. Communicate expectations and responsibilities

Good communication with your nanny is essential for a strong work relationship in your home. Make sure you can explain to your nanny exactly what is expected of her before asking her to go on a vacation with you.

Will she accompany you on your travels? Will she just be watching the kids, or would you also like her to cook and clean up after the family at the vacation home? You all may unwind if she is aware of what she is consenting to.

2. Be clear about her working hours

Downtime is very important, make sure you both understand what hours are expected of her from the beginning, and be clear about it. What is the duration of her shift? What hours are these going to be? When is she going to take a break? When you're on vacation together, will she take a few hours off to rest, or would you like to change these for the duration of your trip? What nights will she watch the kids, and if yes, which ones?

Knowing what hours are expected of them makes everyone work more productively, and your nanny is no exception while she is travelling with your family.

3. Accommodation arrangements

Make sure you communicate whether your nanny will be staying in a room of her own, or if you would like her to share with your children.

People have different views on the subject. Sharing a room might not be a great idea when it comes to her downtime, ensure she feels comfortable to let you know if she has a specific preference. If you put yourself in her shoes, you can usually avoid any unnecessary tension.

4. Compensation

Compensation can be tricky conversion because travelling and vacation can look very different depending with the plan. While some families consider it free vacation for the nanny others consider it paid overtime since your nanny going to be with your child the majority of the day while you attend parties and other planned activities.

Remember, this is your vacation, not your nanny’s! Even though it can be an advantage for many nannies to have the opportunity to travel with their nanny families, it is still work as usual for them and can often be harder work than being at home with the kids!