Life as a Travel Nanny

 Traveling as a Travel Nanny

A travel nanny is operating under her own business.  It means she has probably never met her family and only knows what she has asked through careful worded questions.  I rarely talk to my parents in the beginning and everything is through emails.  I can tell a lot about my parents as they answer questions as to their expectations.  Although I might offer an hourly rate, it is rare that my parents take that offer.  It is beneficial to both of us to assume a flat daily rate.  It means I am available at all times though there are always generous breaks in my day.  90% of the time I have a child in my room as villas are often restricted in how many bedrooms they offer and we try to make it work.  I make sure I have their complete itinerary so I can see if I see any problems with connections, what the airports have to offer and I usually double check to make sure our seating arrangements stay stable with the airlines.  Eventually there is a video chat to see if we are a good match.  By this time I feel like the parents and I have "clicked".  

When problems arise with travel issues, it is not uncommon for my dad to hand me their passports and ask me to see "what I can do" to fix problems.  I have sweet talked airline personnel to help us solve problems!  

I have met parents in airports for the first time or at the location.  I have about 15 minutes to meet children and get them to bond with me!  If taking them to resort kids play clubs, I make sure I get to know their staff and make sure my kids behave or have even supervised crafts as not all play clubs are organized!

It is not unusual for me to research kid things to do at our destinations or be co-pilot on road trips to get to our destination.  When parents want to just have their own relaxation in pool or beach areas, I keep the kids entertained so they can relax.

I understand how stressed working parents can be so I care about them as much as I care about the kids. I want them to make great memories!

What type of skills do you need to be a travel nanny?

Skills:  

• Business skills are a must as you sometimes plan your own travel and you need to know how to research  the best deals.  The skills include being organized and having the ability to multitask is essential to success

• Great communication skills are your biggest asset. You need to really listen to the parents' needs and know how to sum up situations quickly and adjust to them.  Leave your ego at the door when dealing with parents.  You are not perfect.  You will make mistakes   If a parent asks you to do something “differently” or is upset with the way you handled something--your first impulse is to get defensive. 

• Constructive criticism doesn’t always come sugar coated.  Listen quietly--don’t make excuses or comebacks.  Sometimes the best result is “I can see that it bothers you and I will try to be more considerate in the future on  how you want to handle things”.   Or even if you really feel you are being treated unfairly, “I can see we have different opinions and I want to give your feelings some thought.  Let me think about this and maybe we can talk later”.  

This doesn’t mean you take abuse, but you do have to be open minded when make a mistake even if it is just something as simple as having a different way of thinking or doing things than the parent.

•  Non judgmental about parents or lifestyles. We all want to think we are open minded but the truth of the matter is we have our comfort zones. Being a travel nanny requires a close relationship with parents.  If this family’s lifestyle is way out of your comfort zone then when problems arise, and there are always problems now and then, there is going to be friction.  When you travel you are part of the family for that trip and in order to have fun with the job, you need to be able to embrace the parents.  Know your weaknesses and strengths.    

• You need good instincts.  This is true whether the job is as a nanny or as a travel nanny.  Both professions can be stressful.  Your job is to reduce stress and it helps if you have good instincts about adults, see trigger situations and diffuse when possible.  Sounds like you need to be a psychologist?!  Close to it at times!

Communication:  Listen, think it over, take action

Instinctive Skills:

One of obstacles as a Travel Nanny is to know not all children are easy to like! I am good with all types of children because I realized a long time ago that not all children are likable.  They are sometimes surly, greedy and inconsiderate of anyone else’s feelings!  But I always care about them even if I don’t particularly like them right away.  I look at their behavior, try to figure out if it is insecurity or just wanting attention that triggers their behavior.  Is it a low level tolerance of frustration?  Some children get upset easily when a puzzle doesn’t work, the block won’t fit, etc. 

I try to separate what is built into their personality and what is caused by their environment.  If it is just “who they are” then I will try and be one step ahead when they tackle things that could easily frustrate them.  I will help them break up their activities so they have extra help or give them funny advice on how to accomplish their goals. 

Humor can calm down an anxious child.

Once they see that their meltdowns do not affect how you feel about them and are there to help soothe a frustrated moment, they will let you in and you can start changing how they deal with small issues.

But how do you do it in the 15 minutes you have to bond?  Remember those long emails with parents with questions about their family and their children's personalities? My bond with those parents lets them open up to me so I have an idea of the child's needs.

It will take awhile for a child to trust us but if you don’t give up, you can win that child’s trust.

Once you have their trust, you can change the behavior.  It's not unusual for parents and I to talk about how to work with their challenging child.

What is the process of managing your life while traveling with a family?  

Your life is on hold when on the job! lol  Sure my smartphone is my lifesaver as I can email my family/friends each day so they know I am okay.  I make sure before I leave there is a written itinerary of my trip.  If anything should happen, I want them to know how to get a hold of me. Or God forbid there is a plane crash, I want them to know it isn't "my plane" by comparing flight numbers.  

I make sure bills are paid before I go.  I have notified credit card companies of my travel plans so my bank card doesn't crash.

Once I feel I have prepared the best I can, I let go and concentrate on the family.  I don't talk on the phone, I don't text, I don't post on Facebook until I am on a break.  My friends and family know not to call me or text me unless it is really important or they just want to check in but know I will not be responding.

Contracts: Both as Nanny traveling with her family and as a Travel Nanny

No if, ands or buts, always have a contract before you start a job!  

The biggest mistake nannies make in the beginning is not putting in writing the job description, hours, pay--including how overtime is based. 

If traveling with your family, you probably have a contract so why make a travel contract?  It can be as simple as that form you typed up after your discussions. 

In the specialty field it is mandatory as once you discuss pay and job description and it is in writing, it never becomes an issue in the job.  We are all on the same page and do not have to rely on “I thought you said”...

In summary, the traits a good travel nanny possess are:

Communication Skills:

The ability to talk with parents before travel about expectations.

Solving problems as they come up with communication.

Attitude:

Putting personal problems aside during travel.

The ability to look at problems from all sides - not just your own.

The ability to be positive and upbeat at the end of a long day.

Go into the job expecting to be excited!

Business Skills:

The ability to write contracts that covers travel expectations.

Organizational skills such as packing and being accountable for clothes, toys etc

Networking with parents, interacting with parent groups, nanny groups, conferences

Design a website that shows your personality.

Marketing skills

Intuitive - Empathy:

Understanding parents and children and being able to sense "the mood" in the room

Ability to look at a child's behavior and mentally prepare a way to help

Research:

Search out things to do in the area of travel

Know your airports play areas

If international travel, know that country's document requirements

Follow the travel itinerary and anticipate travel issues

Figure out the supplies for your nanny bag based on the travel journey

Fearless:

The ability to go into travel with no experience!

The ability to be courageous when confronted with travel problems

You have done your homework, prepared the best you could and hope your instincts

are right but adjust to any circumstances.

Let's see which traits can be applied to these travel scenarios!

(additional explanations of skills needed can be found at https://sullivancollegeworkshop.blogspot.com/ )