Last year, a good friend of mine greeted me with that best of back-handed compliments after a holiday I had taken – “Wow, you don’t look half as exhausted as you normally do!”. Despite my disappointment that the tired face I had been looking at in the mirror these last few years since having children, really was mine, my friend had hit on an important truth. I was looking relaxed and refreshed because (after a very short period of reflection) I had decided to take our carer with us on our short break to sunnier climes, as my other half was stuck in the office.
Our carer got the benefit of seeing somewhere different on a working holiday, and I got the benefit of some lie-ins and a little bit of much-needed recharge time.
I caught up with Nannytax to see if they had any expert advice for Care.com families wishing to consider taking their nannies with them on holiday.
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Care.com: So, I am a definite fan of taking your carer on holiday, as it gives parents a chance to relax away from work.
Nannytax: Summer holidays, whether abroad or within the UK, are an often much needed, family break from the usual day-to-day distractions. Work and chores can be forgotten for around two glorious weeks, leaving you to fully concentrate on enjoying time with the children. With the need to make sure children have a fun time, it’s easy to overlook the fact that parents need time out too, to relax and recharge mind, body and soul for the coming year. So the idea of taking the nanny on the family holiday is often considered a way of getting the best of both worlds.
Care.com: What is the best model for this sort of holiday?
Nannytax: Situations vary from family to family. The nanny joining the family on holiday is the usual practice for some and they have tried-and-tested arrangements that work well. For others, it’s quality ‘family only’ time and the nanny can enjoy a two week summer holiday all of her own at the same time. If taking your nanny on the family holiday with you is something you’re considering for the first time then there are factors to bear in mind.
The list can be varied depending on the relationship you have with your nanny, but here are three that we consider worth thinking about: Whose holiday? Sleeping arrangements? Extra pay?
With the holiday element,there is always a danger in thinking that as the nanny is joining you on holiday, it’s also her holiday but (unless you have a prior arrangement that she can take extra time off) it’s important to remember that the nanny is working – just not in the normal surroundings.
So bear in mind that in most cases, normal holiday entitlement will still apply. Some nannies would consider it harder work than being at home with the different environment, the unusual hours and inconvenience of being away from home all contributing. It is also advisable to agree the hours, duties and even potential holiday working rates beforehand and make sure that whilst away you allow your nanny to have time off too.
As for sleeping arrangements, we believe the majority of nannies would appreciate their own room. Everyone needs some level of quiet time and privacy which will be difficult for the nanny to achieve if she has to share sleeping quarters with the children. However, if you’re joining another family on holiday and both are bringing a nanny then it’s not unreasonable to ask the nannies to share a room if the subject of finding the extra space presents a problem.
Plus, in this situation, the nannies may not oppose having the company of someone else who is also there to work. At the end of the holiday, a little something to say thank you is worth considering if your nanny has gone above and beyond the call of duty whilst you were away. If, for example, the nanny is frequently with the children in the evening while you are dining out late, or up early every morning allowing you to rest, or perhaps only having one afternoon off during the holiday, a token of thanks may be appropriate. Most, if not all nannies would appreciate days off in lieu or a small bonus and it will do wonders to strengthen your family’s relationship with her.
Care.com: What’s your must-have piece of advice for taking a carer on holiday?
Nannytax: Our golden rule is to clearly agree everything before you go so no one is caught by surprise (when certain expectations are requested)
Enjoy your holiday, whatever you decide to do!
>> Looking for a nanny or babysitter? Find childcare in your area now.