b"backwitheverythingwebrought.Whentravelingtomultiple It is not unusual for me to be asked to solve seat problems for adestinations, I even group clothing and take pictures to help me flight.Ifitisamultiple-destinationvacation,Iamalwayswhen repacking later. checking for seats, doing check-ins, and managing the logisticalaspects of travel. On a flight from Honolulu to San Francisco, ISince I travel with all ages of children, including babies, I make noticedthattheairlineshadeliminatedourseatingsure that the diaper bag is packed and its contents organized in arrangements, and the five of us were spaced out all over theplastic bags with a full change of clothing, wipes, and a diaper. plane!Theparentstriedtofixthis,butthecomputerkeptPlanetoysarestoredinanotherbag.Iusuallytravel knocking them back out. I went to the airlines Facebook pagecoach/economy, and I want to be able to open the bag and feel and messaged with an SOS. Within 15 minutes, the person fixed itfor what I need, as space is usually limited. My nanny bag is by moving us all up to economy plus at no charge!packed in the same way so I can get crafts or toys out easily.Inmycase,beingatravelnannyispartcaregiverandpartWhile You Are There concierge.I have learned that there are two goals for most families whentraveling with a traveling nanny: having couple time and having What You Do Afterfamily time. The location we are visiting and the family routine When the traveling is done, I usually fly back to the client's housedictatemyrole.Imightplayinthepoolforhourswiththe and leave the next day. I help unpack, maybe do some laundry,children so that the parents can relax, or I might take the children and keep the children occupied so the parents can get thingsto a kids club, if available, and then I help at the club. I have met done.somegreatnanniesandkidsclubmanagersovertheyears.Building these connections is important, as many clients travel to Getting the Next Jobthe same places, and its helpful to know which clubs are greatAt the beginning of my journey, my website got me a few jobs,and which ones are not. but it quickly became a business based on referrals and repeatclients. I might travel with the same family for a few years, butWhen its time for family time, I can either take a break or, if it eventuallythekidsgrowup,andthefamilydoesntneedmeinvolves traveling to a site, I can serve as an extra set of hands. I anymore.IliketothinkIplayabigroleinhelpingchildrenam often the copilot and help navigate to our destinations. If I become great travelers who do fine without me. When its notknowaheadoftimewherewearegoing,IGooglethe travel season, I fill in my calendar with newborn care jobs. I try todestination so that I am prepared. Regardless, I try to prepare for limit these to two jobs a year, as they can be long assignments. Ithe site to be a bust or a fun place. I have also found that fathers love working with newborns, and it keeps me busy.can be anxious on trips, so I try to keep the atmosphere light andhelp foster relaxation. My main job is to help the family have As I get older, my goals continue to change. My husband and Igreat memories.enjoy taking our grandsons on an adventure trip once a year. Wehave done a road trip in Alaska, a train trip to the Grand Canyon,Whendelaysorcancellationshappen,Itrytofindallthe and a road trip to Niagara Falls and Montreal. These experiencesalternatives available, even if a travel agent is helping. I can help me advise parents on adventure trips, as I keep a list of funoffer subtle advice, such as, Are you sure you dont want to things for kids to do. My husband and I use our off time to travelleave earlier in case it takes a while to get to the other end of to Europe, as the more travel I do on my own, the more I have tothe island? Even if my suggestions are not taken, I smile and let offer to parents who are seeking advice on where to go. Evenit go regardless of whether it causes us to miss a flight. When this with just my hubby and me, I am constantly noting which hotels orhappens, I am often given the passports and told to see what I Airbnbs would be good for families. I just cant take the travelcan do. I am nice to gate agents, and that usually helps. On one nanny out of me!trip, I finally managed to get the family on a flight, but the flightwas so full there was no seat for me! I talked the family into I am at the stage now where I am trying to work a maximum of 15getting on the flight, knowing I could figure out my flight later, to 20 weeks a year. It is time for me to have more time with myeven if it meant having to stay in the airport overnight. While the family. As a I transition to this next stage in my career, I loveparents feared I would get lost and the children worried theyd talking to younger travel nannies and sharing experiences. never see me again, I reminded them all that I was a travel nannyI never get lost! Like many others, I do worry that COVID-19 may put a halt to mybusiness. By the time traveling picks back up, my regular clientsSometimes I travel with parents on business trips, and my job is to may no longer need me. Children grow up, after all. So whats mygive their child a fun holiday. On these trips, I do some research backup plan? For the first time, I am considering going back toahead of time and solicit advice from the hotel staff. Some of my temporary jobs in my home state of Texas. You never know whichbest memories are from visiting small cities in the United States. families may want to travel! Where You've BeenI have visited Italy, France, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, England, Scotland, Sweden, Russia, Shanghai, China, the French Polynesian Islands,Uruguay, Argentina, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco, Estonia, Turkey, Ireland, Greece, Slovakia, Mexico City,Belize, and most of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Bart's, St. Maarten, St. Croix and Mustique. I have also traveledto all 50 states, including Hawaii, though most of the US travel was for my own pleasure.12Fall 2020|NannyMag.com"