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Oh, the
Adventures We Can Have!
Who
needs one? After all, your sister’s friend’s college
student daughter said she would do it for
practically nothing! Unfortunately, your sister’s
friend’s daughter thought this was her vacation too,
and you ended up feeling you had another child with
you to entertain.
Travel
is definitely one of my passions. In 2003, I came to
the Agah family in Westport, Ct to help with their
two month old daughter. I came for an eight week
contract and stayed 3 years! It was a most unusual
arrangement as I would still take off for my other
jobs, get a sub for me and come back. Why? Because
for three years I got to travel with them to places
I couldn’t even dream of visiting. I learned a lot
of valuable tips along the way.
Travel
doesn’t start the day you leave. It really starts at
least a day before your trip. When possible, you
should have a travel nanny come a day early. You can
lay all the clothes on the bed, and I will pack for
you. This is important because I’ll make a list of
everything I pack. If the luggage gets lost, I’ll
know exactly how to fill out the airline form. I can
also help guide you on what to take in terms of
entertainment for the plane, hotel rooms or rental
homes. If you have a baby and/or a toddler, I can
help you decide what food you should pack with you
and what can be easily obtained later. When
possible, I will even help you research interesting
places to take the kids.
A good
travel nanny helps keep the family’s stress level
down as they get to the airport, go through security
and wait for flights that may be delayed, so that
the trip can start without everyone being frazzled.
I am always looking as we walk for restrooms,
keeping the time schedule in mind so babies are
changed and toddlers/children have a chance to use
the restroom before boarding. I don’t mind that
you’re in business class and I’m in coach with the
children. A good travel nanny understands jet lag
and can offer you tips on how to help children
adjust.
While
I may not speak the language of that country, I’m
very confident about taking the children to outings
if we’re staying in an area where we can walk. When
it is a family outing, I can go with you if you want
an extra hand or stay in the room with a baby who
really needs to sleep while you take the older
children. If one child should get sick, you can
still take the other children out for some fun, and
I will stay and nurse the sick child. While your
sister’s friend’s daughter may resent this task, I
see it as a vital part of my job to nurture every
child.
When
the time comes you just want a family day, I know
how to disappear and entertain myself. I am always
cheerful and positive no matter what the situation.
Yes,
it is more expensive when you have to include
another person’s airfare, food, lodging and salary.
But you have already invested in taking this great
vacation, so consider this expense your insurance
policy!
I was
fortunate to travel with the Agah’s to Italy, France
(twice), Mexico, St. Bart’s, St. Croix and
Greece…and our adventures keep growing! Besides the
traveling benefit, I got a chance to be a part of
their family. Watching my sweet Alex grow from a
baby to an intelligent and funny preschooler was
pure joy. Then our little man Devin came and gave me
a chance to double the pleasure. Once again, the
chance to learn fun ways to travel with two young
children increased my travel knowledge.
Every
nanny may want to travel, but the reality is that it
is hard work to make sure your family has a great
time. I take that responsibility very seriously.
I have
also traveled regularly with the Petrella family,
including trips to Las Vegas and Hilton Head, plus
cruises to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. I
always feel honored when a parent asks me back.
Sometimes my clients have said, “But we don’t go
anywhere exotic, it’s usually Disney World or travel
in the US!” After the Las Vegas trip, I took a side
trip to the Grand Canyon so I could talk with
parents on US adventures. The Whitney family and I
did a car trip from Atlanta, GA to Asheville, NC,
and we had a blast! I can say without any
reservation that traveling in the US is wonderful!
There are so many terrific things here to show our
children!
So
while the college student may say she wants the job,
the question is: can she do the job?
Because travel has so many variants, I couldn’t
begin to quote a price without talking to the
parents.
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