A Summer of Adventure as a Travel Nanny

What a summer! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I found myself bouncing between seven countries, with 17 flights packed into just a few months as a travel nanny. My yearly flight count is now up to 42. (I know, I know—sorry, planet! I’m trying to make up for it in many other ways...).

In between all the airport chaos, I caught up with an old friend who asked about my job. She said something that really stuck with me: how important it is for kids to realize there’s so much more to the world than their everyday bubble. That "bubble" looks different for every family, but there’s nothing I love more than helping kids step out of it and see how big and amazing the world really is—even if it’s just a road trip to another state.

This summer was packed! We celebrated Pride in London, learned about (and cheered on!) different countries during the soccer World Cup, talked about what it takes to compete in the Olympics, witnessed local life in rural Portugal, and even practiced our Spanish with a super friendly groundskeeper in Ibiza. It’s incredible watching children experience new cultures, foods, and ideas and seeing their minds open up a little more each time.

On a personal note, in July, I bought a tiny cottage in Finland! I’m so excited to have a spot where I can invite friends and family over, especially since I don’t really have a permanent home base. It’s a new adventure waiting to happen!

Now, I’m gearing up for some personal travel before my next work gig. A few days ago, one of the kiddos I’ve been working with asked if they could just keep adventuring with me instead of going back to school. We both knew that wasn’t in the cards, but honestly, that was the best compliment I could have asked for after such a wild summer of travel.

I absolutely love being a travel nanny. There’s nothing like exposing children to new experiences and cultures, and another great part is the balance—I get to work hard for a while, then have time for myself in between contracts. If you’re thinking about becoming a travel nanny, check out Jet-Set Nanny for tips and advice on how to get started!