Summer working in the US as a nanny?

Former Member

(Mods feel free to move this to work, I didn't know which one to put it in!)
I've just had a message off my cousin in america (rhode island), asking me if I'd consider working over there during the summer helping out with the kids as their nanny leaves at the end of the month and they're not hiring a new one until the end of summer. It's all expenses paid including my flights and I get my own room and bathroom. It's working half days with weekends off so I'm free to go to NY or Boston etc. I also get to go with them to their holiday beach house in New Hampshire for 2 weeks!

Now I've never worked with kids in my life! And they have 3 kids, a 3 year old boy and twins that are about 18 months so quite a handful! I've also got a job here (which I hate and would leave if I didn't need the money) so I'd have to see about them letting me take a prolonged leave over the summer (they let others at uni leave during term time so I don't see why it would be a problem....but I know my boss will try and make it difficult). And there's also homesickness because I'd be there about 3 months (I have to be back by the end of august).

Just want opinions/advice. Should I go for it? It would certainly beat a long boring summer spent stacking shelves! It's also a huge thing too. So yeah, any thoughts would be appreciated. Especially from anyone whos spent periods in the US or worked as a nanny!

Former Member

After finishing my degree I went out to Holland to look after my two cousins for a few weeks as an au pair - it was a bit different as they were more or less old enough to look after themselves a lot of the time, but it was such a good opportunity and I really enjoyed it. There were a couple of times I got a bit homesick, but this was a few years ago and things have progressed since then - you can always Skype with people back home and I think the three months would fly past. I'd say go for it, seriously - think you'll really regret it if you don't do it. It will be a bit nerve-wracking at first, but at least it's family so if you do have any problems with the kids etc it should be easier to sort them out. I think you'll have a blast - do it!

Former Member

I wouldn't go, because I wouldn't want to look after a 3year old and two 18 month olds. If I could go and stay with them as a holiday I would, but to look after three small children -na.

Former Member

id definitely take it if it was me but, if you dont have any experience with kids then i think you would find it quite hard going, especially at the ages that they are. anybody would find looking after 3 kids hard work, especially so young! however you said its half days so that shouldnt be too bad.

i'd just do it, rhode island is really lovely as is new hampshire (i went to camp america there a couple of years ago and it was amazing). 3 months will go really fast, if you've nothing really keeping you in the UK (like maybe a boyfriend you might not want to leave?) then go for it. i would.

Former Member

No there's no boyfriend - there was a pontential one until he actually took off to america himself for 10 weeks lol. I'm really tempted, but I'm worried I won't be good with the kids. And I'm also worried about getting bored in my free time because I'm too young to drink over there (that's going to be tough not being able to go out) and I can't drive because I'm too young to hire a car, and I can't afford it. And I don't think there's much public transport in america...hhmm...

Former Member

Have you talked your concerns through with your cousin? Do you know exactly what they'd expect from you in terms of looking after the kids - and do they know you've never done anything like that before?

Former Member

I asked him if he thought I'd be ok and that I've never worked with children before and he just said no experience required just a bit of patience. I won't be left of my own with them, his wife works from home but just needs an extra pair of hands. I'll ask him what they want me to do though.

Former Member

Hmmmm. American kids :shocking: ! But, you know what? Your cousin already knows that you have no experience and you will not be left on your own with them. Personally, I'd go for it. Lack of experience has never put me off doing anything (my CV reads like a Jack of All Trades), and I have seldom come unstuck. I am nearly 50, with no kids of my own and no experience of young children (all my step children came as ready-made teenagers), but the last job I had was teaching English to a class of 3-6 year old French kids. There were days when it was a bit of a nightmare, and I wouldn't necessarily do it again - but I found I loved teaching English, so came back to the UK and gained a CELTA qualification.

What I am saying is that opportunities like this are sometimes worth a leap in the dark. Travel broadens the mind. New England is lovely. You can keep in touch by email and phone for a few cents a day using a phone card. It's only three months. You've really nothing to lose. :thumb:

Former Member

Ballerina wrote: »

...And I'm also worried about getting bored in my free time because I'm too young to drink over there (that's going to be tough not being able to go out) and I can't drive because I'm too young to hire a car, and I can't afford it. And I don't think there's much public transport in america...hhmm...

My OH and drink far more than is good for us on the whole, so the US was a bit of an eye-opener for us too. The old adage, "when someone asks you out for a beer, they really do mean A (single) beer", is absolutely true. However, you will quickly adjust. It is a different culture and you will simply find that people don't rely on alcohol for fun the way we do. When we are in the US, we don't miss booze at all.

That particular area of the US is actually quite good for public transport. I have personal experience of New York and Boston and we had no problem getting around without a car.

Former Member

Ballerina wrote: »

I asked him if he thought I'd be ok and that I've never worked with children before and he just said no experience required just a bit of patience. I won't be left of my own with them, his wife works from home but just needs an extra pair of hands. I'll ask him what they want me to do though.

it sounds like such a good opportunity! how long till you'd go? you could brush up on some child care for a bit over here, just as a confidence boost? offer babysitting or just volunteer somewhere?

Former Member

have you decided whether to go yet?

Former Member

I leave a week today! And I'm there for 7 weeks! Still doesn't feel like it's happening. I'm quite nervous I've never been out the country for longer than 2 weeks and I'm worried I'll get homesick. But I'm still excited. It's my first time flying alone and first time flying in 4 years so should be a confidence boost! :hyper:

Former Member

oh nice one! brave decision too, i think you will get so much out of it. let us know how you get on, it sounds exciting!!

Former Member

Ballerina wrote: »

I leave a week today!

Good for you! I'm sure you wont regret it.

Former Member

Good for you :thumb: Have an ace time.

Former Member

You'll love it once you're there and settled, will be an amazing experience.

Former Member

Well I come back tomorrow. Was a very eye opening experience, don't think I'd do it again with kids this young, it would have been better if I'd done it next year when they're a bit older and I'd be 21 so would be able to go out and socialise and hire a car etc. I'm quite attached to the kids now I'll miss them....but not the late night/early morning tantrums, flying food, being scratched and pinched and fall outs!

Former Member

Ballerina wrote: »

I'm quite attached to the kids now I'll miss them....but not the late night/early morning tantrums, flying food, being scratched and pinched and fall outs!

But ... apart from all that, did you have a good time?! Were you glad to have bitten the bullet and gone? Would you go back?

Wishing you 'bon retour' for tomorrow. :thumb:

Former Member

overthehill wrote: »

But ... apart from all that, did you have a good time?! Were you glad to have bitten the bullet and gone? Would you go back?

Wishing you 'bon retour' for tomorrow. :thumb:

It had it's ups and downs but I'm still glad I did it. I was going through a rough time before I was asked to come out and it's certainly been an eye opening experience and given me such a huge passion and appreciation of my youth and freedom! It's done wonders for my social life too Im so busy when I get back! I need to make the most of it!