b"F I N D I N G Y O U R N I C H EWORKING AS A TRAVELINGNANNYdonna robinsonI started The Traveling Nanny in the fall of 1998 as a temporary nanny service. My third job was caring for a newborn, and after the assignmentended, I was asked to travel with them to St. Croix. I would eventually travel the world with this client, and The Traveling Nanny transformed fromoffering temporary nanny services to traveling with families or staying at the familys house to care for the children while the parents had acouple's vacation. When clients began asking for newborn care services, I expanded my offerings to include this service. At the time, newborn care was a newlyemerging service, and the needs of my clients influenced my expansions. A simple idea became a business plan as I slowly dropped temporarynanny services and concentrated on traveling with parents, providing care at their house while they traveled, and offering newborn care services.Often my clients with newborns would ask me to travel with them. As the demand for services increased, I created a website to act as my resume. While I was told it was too wordy and had too much information, Iwanted my clients to feel like they stepped into my living room for a cup of coffee and had an honest conversation about trusting their child andfamily to my care. I ignored the experts, grew my business my way, and it paid off. All of my clients said they read every tab and felt like theyknew me before the first contact was made! Before You Leave For Workand what we can do to make it easier on the children. By now, IIquicklyfoundthatalthoughmyclientsoftenusedtravel have a good idea about how children with different personalitiesagencies,theagenciesmademistakes.Theywouldleavetoo travel, and I pack a nanny bag to use on the flight based on thelittletimeforlayovers,failedtogettheseatscorrect,and childrens personalities.provided inadequate information for destinations. As a regularpractice, I ask my clients to send me a copy of their itinerary so I Often I meet my charges for the first time at the hotel or even atcan review it thoroughly, looking for any possible problems. If I the airport. Sometimes I only have about 15 minutes to establish aam working with a repeat client, I quickly establish a rapport with bond. Those discussions with parents via email and video chatsthe travel agents. If a problem occurs during a trip, I am usually provide vital clues in establishing bonds. In those first meetings, Ithe one making the quick corrections. I also search the airports put everything I have learned into helping me see each child aswe will be using and look for playground areas for the children.an individual. For example, I do not rush the shy child and allowtime for her to warm up to me. Outgoing children can be easierDestinations often have kid-friendly activities, so I also make sure to connect with, but all children can be won over. They can senseI know what is available. Connection times can go badly with who really cares.delays or canceled flights, so I look for alternatives just in casethis happens so I can guide parents who are starting to panic.To get ready, I start packing a few days ahead and try to use assmall of a suitcase as possible. If we are traveling in Europe byOne of the most important things I cover before we even sign a car, for example, the cars can be small, but the family may havecontract is getting to know the family. I rarely talk to parents via brought large suitcases! Mine must fit in without causing stress.phone, as Ive found that when you email questions and concerns, This is especially important if we must travel to several locationsparents tend to be more honest about the children. For example, onthetrip.Withaone-destinationtrip,travelingisgenerallyinformation about quirky personalities or strong-willed children easier since there's no packing and unpacking. When possible, Iseemstobemoreeasilydisclosedoveremail.Ifsomething arrive a day early to the familys home and help pack the childrenrequires follow-up and does require a conversation by phone or soIknowwhereeverythingislocatedintheluggage.Ifthevideo chat, I follow up with an email stating the concerns and parentspack,Itakequickinventorywhenwearrive.Atravelsolutions discussed. I am also sure to cover how long the flight isnanny, in my opinion, is responsible for making sure we come NannyMag.com 11"