Can you really have a relaxing vacation when you are constantly breaking up fights between your tweens while looking for the purple pail and shovel set that your preschooler MUST have NOW or ELSE?
For some parents, the answer is an irrefutable “no,” which is why more and more moms and dads are opting to take nannycations.
The simple concept means that another trusted adult is around 24/7 to help deal with warring kids, beach meltdowns, mini-golfing fits and cannonball mishaps at the hotel pool. The extra set of hands and eyes also allows parents to actually get in a few hours of alone time. After all, we all know how difficult it is to get lost in rag mags or Oprah’s latest book selection while a wet toddler is trying to crawl over you so he can dig into your bag of pretzels.
Nannies also come in handy when you and your spouse want to enjoy a night out alone to watch the sunset or dine al fresco. Or, if you simply want someone else to deal with the dreaded bedtime routine complete with complaints about brushing teeth, whines about getting into pajamas, and fights over who gets dibs on the pullout couch instead of the lumpy rollaway bed. Let the nanny deal with it while you sip a tropical libation and enjoy some much needed peace and quiet.
The problem with this idealistic vacation scenario is that your appointed caregiver must be paid for his/her duties. If money is no object and your spouse and kids happily embrace the idea, then taking a nannycation is a no-brainer. However, there are some childhood “experts” who frown upon nannycations.
Critics of nanny-enriched family vacations claim that parents are doing their kids a disservice by bringing along hired help. Said “experts” say that family vacations should be just that—-for family members only. They go on to say that by spending quality time with your children in a fun setting you show them that they are worthy of your love and attention. Conversely, by putting the nanny in charge while you hit the links or the trails solo sends a message to some kids that they are a burden to their own parents or unwanted baggage that can easily be pawned off on a family employee.
I’m not sure I agree with the “experts” on this one–mainly because I was a nanny and often accompanied my “employers” on vacation. I loved the kids, they loved me and I got to visit ultra-luxe travel destinations that I would have had no chance of getting near had it not been for select nannycations.
Alas, those days are long gone. There’s no way I could afford to bring a nanny along on our family vacations today, but I certainly wouldn’t roll my eyes at parents who do.
What are your thoughts on nannycations? Have you ever brought a babysitter on vacation?
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