Travel nanny

[Anonymous]

I am a full time live in nanny that travels with the family over all holidays. For thanksgiving the family went on a cruise. The sleeping arrangements weren’t ideal: I shared the room with both kids, the room had 2 double beds where the boys shared a bed, while I slept in the other bed, and mom had separate room. My schedule for sea days was to handle wake up, get the kids ready for the day, take them to breakfast then kids club, then lunch, an activity/ pool time before dinner, then getting the kids dressed for dinner then bedtime and then I was on all night until the mom came back around midnight/ later when I could go to bed. On shore days I went with the family on excursions where I was fully in charge of the children, and then handled dinner and bedtime/ night care until mom came back. I was also on full time during each of the 6 hour flights. I worked a full week before the trip, 5 fourteen hour days, then the flight, then the entire cruise, and when we came back on the Sunday night handled bedtime and was up the next morning to get the kids ready for school and do drop off.

I was exhausted and things have been tense ever since. Last year the family did a 20+ day trip over Christmas with very much the same schedule only it was longer and I also worked Christmas morning and evening as well as New Years in addition to working the full week before we left and after we returned. How can I bring up / start the conversation with MB about needing either the day before or after each trip off? I’m honestly exhausted physically and emotionally after each trip and not sure how I’ll survive this years Christmas trip.

[Anonymous]

First, you simply have to talk to your employers about a paid day off when you return.

Second, it is unfair and too exhausting to be in charge of the children 24/7. Even if you have a set travel day rate, you are entitled to scheduled time off that needs to be set in advance.

Tell your employers that you need a sit-down to renegotiate and refigure your travel days. Don’t continue like this. I made this mistake in my last job and was completely burned out. My exhaustion, resentment and anger at my employers over a week long trip ruined my job.

[Anonymous]

Hope they’re paying you amazing money - like at least $35-40 per hour.

[Anonymous]

You cannot call these people who go on trips with you "parents." They do not parent.

Seems like you are in indentured servant?

[Anonymous]

This is what I put in the other thread about travel:

“ Employer pays for al travel, lodging, food and required entrance fees during the trip; entrance fees during my off time are on me. Normal rate for all working hours (including time on the plane, bc if I’m sitting anywhere near the kids, I’m the one entertaining them). Private room or full hourly pay for every hour if sharing with child(ren). $30 maximum per meal, unless going with kids/family to a more expensive restaurant, then my pricing is similar to my employer. Frequently, I’m with the kids on the plane and my employer is elsewhere (or on another flight), and that actually makes it easier for kids and me.”

I negotiate all of that, based on the family’s needs and my willingness to help. I don’t need or want days off before or after travel, but if I did, I’d negotiate at the same time.

Do you have a contract? Ask to amend it, with a stipulation for a day off before or after travel or under a week and both before and after if a week or more of travel. If you don’t have a contract, get one.

[Anonymous]

Next time take a break with ship child care. If you share a room, go to sleep. Next time ask for a specific schedule for 8 hours and at least one day off per week. One day paid upon return. Insist on own room.

[Anonymous]

If they’re offering $40/hr to share a room, i’d consider it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, you simply have to talk to your employers about a paid day off when you return.

Second, it is unfair and too exhausting to be in charge of the children 24/7. Even if you have a set travel day rate, you are entitled to scheduled time off that needs to be set in advance.

Tell your employers that you need a sit-down to renegotiate and refigure your travel days. Don’t continue like this. I made this mistake in my last job and was completely burned out. My exhaustion, resentment and anger at my employers over a week long trip ruined my job.

A paid day off? Bull crap! She needs two weeks off paid! OP, this is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

You must request a meeting with your employers to revise your travel contract. Your experience sounds horrid. No one should ever be forced to work around the clock like that.

I honestly don’t understand how employers can let this happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You must request a meeting with your employers to revise your travel contract. Your experience sounds horrid. No one should ever be forced to work around the clock like that.

I honestly don’t understand how employers can let this happen.

They find and hire a doormat, not a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You must request a meeting with your employers to revise your travel contract. Your experience sounds horrid. No one should ever be forced to work around the clock like that.

I honestly don’t understand how employers can let this happen.

18.31 here. I’m a live-in, and I’ll work up to 24/7. Employers can ask for anything they want. I just negotiate to get adequate compensation and trade offs for everything I give/do. Every family is different, and so is every nanny. While most nannies and families want a typical schedule, others don’t.

Op, just negotiate for what you want and need.