If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
Summer working in the US as a nanny?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
(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!
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!
Post edited by JustV on
0
Comments
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.
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:
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.
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?
Good for you! I'm sure you wont regret it.
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!