Quick thing before we get rolling:
- I’ve used a travel nanny on two trips with my kids.
- This is what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d change next time.
Why I Even Tried This
I swore I’d travel light with kids. Ha. Then we did a long flight with a 4-year-old and a baby. That broke me. So I hired a travel nanny. I felt weird at first—another adult with us on vacation? But I also wanted a meal where I could use both hands. You know what? It helped. A lot. But not in every way I expected. I’ve since put the whole play-by-play into a separate deep dive—I hired a travel nanny for two trips—here’s what actually helped—if you want every last detail.
Meet Our Nanny, Maya
We found Maya through Adventure Nannies. If you’re thinking about hiring someone similar, the company’s dedicated travel nanny service spells out exactly what levels of support a caregiver can provide on the road. She’s 27, CPR certified, and has worked with twins and toddlers. We did a Zoom call and two reference checks. I sent her a simple contract (hours, pay, travel days) using DocuSign. Very plain. No drama.
She’s calm, funny, and can make a car seat install look easy. She speaks Spanish (our oldest is learning), which was a sweet bonus.
Trip 1: A Week in Maui With Two Little Kids
We took Maya to Maui in June. It was a full week in an Airbnb near Kihei. Two bedrooms plus a small den for her. She had her own bathroom. That part matters—privacy softens the edges for everyone.
Flight notes:
- We flew Alaska. She sat across the aisle, near our 10-month-old.
- We used a CARES harness for the 4-year-old. Saved my back.
- She did bottles during takeoff and landing. Ears were fine.
On the ground:
- Maya took morning duty from 6:30 to 9. My husband and I ran on the beach or grabbed coffee.
- She prepped little snack boxes: cut fruit, crackers, a few gummy bears (the bribe tax).
- She did naps and swim time so we could snorkel twice—just us, like old times.
One day, she took both kids to the kiddie pool while I did laundry and a grocery run. I watched them from the balcony for a bit. It was calm. That word felt new.
Night help:
- We did two date nights. She handled bath, books, and bed. Texted updates. No drama.
- She has a very steady bedtime voice. I’m jealous.
What went wrong:
- She gets car sick on tight roads. The Road to Hana was a no-go. We changed plans and did a beach day. Fine, but good to know.
- Jet lag hit hard day two. We pulled her hours forward and paid overtime. Worth it, but it added up.
Trip 2: Charleston Wedding Weekend
Different vibe. Three nights, hotel, tight schedule. We had a rehearsal dinner and the ceremony. Maya was gold here.
- She did stroller walks around White Point Garden.
- She ordered room service grilled cheese when the baby refused hotel pasta.
- During the wedding, she sent quick photos—kids in tiny shoes, not crying. I cried instead.
We got to dance, eat cake, and talk to friends. Real adult time. We came back to a quiet room and two sleeping kids. It felt like a magic trick.
The Good Stuff (Small Things Count)
- Consistency: Our kids know her. So travel shock was softer.
- Extra hands: She grabbed the car seat, I grabbed the diaper bag. No juggling.
- Early mornings: Those 6:30 starts saved my mood. I could breathe.
- Safety brain: She carries a mini first-aid kit and a list of meds. She also knows where the nearest urgent care is. I didn’t even think to check.
The Not-So-Good
- Cost: It’s not cheap. Day rate, flights, a room, food money, and sometimes overtime.
- Space: An extra adult in your space can feel… a lot. We set quiet hours and it helped.
- Expectations: She’s not a pack mule. We kept tasks kid-focused: meals, naps, play, laundry for the kids only.
- Delays: Travel delays = overtime. Plan for it.
Money Talk (What We Actually Paid)
For Maui (7 days):
- Day rate: $350/day x 7 = $2,450
- Flight: $420
- Room share in Airbnb: about $600 (her small den + bathroom)
- Food money: $50/day x 7 = $350
- Overtime: $210
Total: $4,030
For Charleston (3 days):
- Day rate: $350/day x 3 = $1,050
- Flight: $280
- Hotel rollaway fee: $90
- Food money: $40/day x 3 = $120
- Overtime: $140
Total: $1,680
It’s an investment. But I got pockets of real rest. That changed the whole trip.
Tiny Logistics That Saved Us
- We used Life360 to share locations during stroller walks.
- I put an AirTag on the stroller. Peace of mind in airports.
- We packed a simple “go kit”: diapers, wipes, sunscreen stick, two zip bags, snack pouches, one small toy car, one board book.
- We used Venmo for tips and food money. Clean and fast.
- I printed a one-page “kid sheet”: allergies, meds, sleep times, favorite songs (the baby loves one weird whale song), local urgent care address.
Who This Makes Sense For
- Parents of toddlers or babies who still need hands-on care.
- Wedding trips, family reunions, or work trips where you must show up looking human.
- Long flights where you need a second adult at security, at gates, and in the air.
Side note: If you’re the one itching to hit the road for work, you might appreciate this first-person look at LPN travel jobs. Totally different role, but the logistics and mindset crossover big-time.
Who might skip it:
- Families who love spontaneous travel and don’t want a schedule.
- Very short trips. It’s a lot of money and logistics for one night.
Looking ahead, I know some parents daydream about the opposite scenario—jetting off without the kids and reclaiming a grown-ups-only agenda. If that ever lands on your calendar and you’re curious about adding a little off-the-record excitement, take a peek at these location-based hookup apps. The guide compares the most popular platforms, explains safety features, and shows how to filter for local matches so you can keep the fun spontaneous and drama-free. Similarly, if your adventures bring you to Rhode Island’s capital and you’d like a hyper-local directory of open-minded companions, check out OneNightAffair’s AdultLook Providence listings where verified profiles, transparent reviews, and built-in messaging tools make it easy to arrange a discreet, no-pressure meetup.
How I’d Book Smarter Next Time
- I’d set a clear schedule with real buffers for delays.
- I’d ask about car sickness up front.
- I’d pick an Airbnb with three real sleeping spaces, not a den with a curtain.
- I’d pack a spare white-noise machine. Hotel HVAC can be loud.
Where to Look
- Adventure Nannies for vetted travel nannies.
- UrbanSitter or Care.com for short-term help (filter for travel).
- Ask your regular sitter if they can travel for a weekend. Familiar faces help.
Curious what’s available in your zip code right now? UrbanSitter’s nanny-services page lets you plug in dates, see hourly rates, and filter for sitters who are open to travel gigs.
If you’re curious what it’s like to make a living while hopping from place to place, here’s my honest take on travel dialysis tech jobs—a different field, but the nomad logistics overlap is real.
For more destination inspiration and family-friendly planning guides, check out Valid Travel before you book your next big adventure.
Check for:
- Passport ready, CPR/First Aid cards, comfort with planes, clear pay and hours, and two references you can actually reach.
Final Take
I thought I’d hate having someone on “our” trip. I didn’t. Well—sometimes I wanted my space. But I also got to hold my partner’s hand at sunset while someone kind helped our kids find tiny crabs in the sand. That memory? Worth it.
Would I do it again? Yes—for big trips, weddings, and long flights. Maybe not for a simple two-night visit. But if you need help and want to enjoy your trip, this can be the thing that lets you breathe.
If you try it, set kind rules, keep kid care the focus, and plan for overtime. Then