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Taking a Nanny on Family Vacation

3rd August, 2009 - Posted by Raheema -

We have just returned from a family vacation.  As my laundry is finishing up, the kids are napping (the late nights from vacation are reflecting in their moods) and I am drinking my first cup of tea of the day (usually this happens are 7:30am, today it is at 2pm - YIKES!) I thought it is a nice quiet time to catch up on my blog!

So, for those who are thinking of a family vacation… is it OK to take along a nanny?  Will the kids think that we don’t want to spend time with them?  Are we bad parents for wanting to enjoy some adult time on a family trip?

After we got married (I call this my previous life - without kids!)  We lived in Kenya for 4 years.  In Kenya, the standard for many families was to have live in nannies.  The cost of a typical nanny in Kenya is about $100 CAD/month.  Many families have one nanny per child, and some just have one.  It was expected that when they go on vacation the nanny will come, unless the nanny refused.  Of course their costs were covered and they would be expected to do all their normal duties with their children.  At the time, not having my own kids, I found this a bit weird BUT now, that I am a mother of two and I barely get to speak to my darling husband without being interrupted, I would jump at any opportunity to take a nanny or sitter along with me.

I would think that parents would like have someone to take care of their kids in the evening so they can enjoy a little night life themselves, but money aside, would wonder if their children would feel neglected?  Well, after doing a bit of research on this… most kids actually like hanging out with the sitter more than their parents… if you think about this it makes sense… not as many rules, not as many stern looks, a younger, hipper person to hang out with!

Although as parents we think it’s a great opportunity for your babysitter or nanny to vacation with you… but you have to keep in mind, for her, it is work.  She must be paid accordingly.  She may not request to be paid while she is sleeping, but her transport, food, and entertainment must be paid for.  It is the same situation as you traveling for business; it’s simply not worth it if you are not being paid for your expenses.

Even though you are there during the day or the nanny is accompanying the family on an excursion, the children may behave differently than they do at home.  Their schedules have changed, they may be jet lagged and full of sugar (that’s always a great combination!) but all in all, if you have taken a nanny with you, she is the one who has to help make the situation more pleasant.  She can either help you or distract the children, whatever she decides as long as she is making it better.  Having a nanny alongside you will also allow you to have special time with one child, while the other is being entertained and then the next day you can have special time with the other child. If you have an older child and a baby, the nanny will be able to be with the baby during his/her nap while you are out and about.

If you are thinking about taking a nanny along with you on vacation, it is important to have guidelines and expectations written down and ready for her prior to your departure.  Some of the things to think about are:

• How much time will the nanny be expected to spend with the children each day and each night?

• Will the nanny sleep in the same room as the children?

• Is the nanny going to be paid her regular salary, or should she expect to be paid more for more time with the children?

• Will the nanny have specific time off duty each day?

• Are the parents going to pay for all the expenses of the nanny, including transportation, hotel or rental accommodation, all eating and entertainment expenses?

When money is an issue, maybe you can work out a deal with a grandparent or a niece or nephew to join you… but it is ALWAYS nice and important to have some quiet quality time with your spouse… and yes, you can enjoy each other in your family room while you watch TV, but no one can deny that it is different when you are on holiday enjoying different surroundings, instead of at home, thinking about work and bills…

All in all, I do not think that your kids will feel neglected if you take a nanny along on a family vacation.  She is supposed to be there to create more memories, add some fun and creativity to the mix and also to help the parents relax… and everyone knows the best kind of parent to have is a well rested, relaxed one!

As the summer is already half way over, if you are taking a trip, with our without a sitter, ENJOY yourselves and be safe!