Interview with a Travel Nanny: What does a Travel Nanny do?

What is a travel nanny? Families travel with peace of mind!

A travel nanny is a professional caregiver who accompanies families on trips to provide childcare services. They are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of children while traveling, as well as engaging them in age-appropriate activities. Travel nannies may also assist with packing, transportation, and other logistical tasks related to family travel.

Ever wondered what life looks like when you are a travel nanny? How do you become a travel nanny? And what exactly does a traveling nanny do? Wonder no more! The following interview has all the answers to satisfy your curiosity.

Introducing Amy Bryant—the Suitcase Nanny!

Hello Amy! First of all, please introduce yourself and then tell us a little about your background and how you became a traveling nanny.

Hey! I’m Amy Bryant, a travel nanny expert also known as The Suitcase Nanny. I’m 26 years old and have been caring for children since I was 9. A little about myself and my hobbies: I grew up in a military household where my father was a pilot and my mother a nanny. I have a younger brother who is 24, and he is in the military; two foster sisters aged 14 and 11; and our family pet, Poppy, an English Springer Spaniel.

I have traveled to many countries with my family and lived in Germany when I was very young. I’ve always loved the water, and I love to sail. I am an advanced swimmer and now have a passion for surfing. I am extremely sporty and love to dance, skateboard, and ski in the winter months. I got engaged to my childhood sweetheart last summer, who is also in the military, and we have a home in Shropshire, UK.

How did you initially get into nannying?

My mother worked as a rota nanny, so I think her flair for nanny work rubbed off on me. My father was in the military, so we traveled a lot as a family. I grew up in different locations and developed a passion for traveling. 

I had originally trained to become an air hostess, but months before I was due to start training with British Airways, I fell ill with a rare disease and was hospitalized for a week. I had a near-death experience, and whilst in the hospital, I had a lot of time to think about my future and how my life could have just been cut very short. Once I left the hospital and returned home to start my recovery, it was about one week before Christmas that I decided to go online and look into nannying abroad. I came across the GreatAupair website, signed up, and set up a profile. Within 24 hours, a family contacted me all the way from Sydney, Australia. 3 weeks later, I had packed my suitcase and was on a plane, ready to start my new adventure as a traveling nanny. I was 18 years old at the time.

What do you like best about working as a travel nanny?

My favourite thing would be that I get to combine the two things I love most, caring for children and traveling. I love that every nanny job is different; no family, holiday, or job requirements are the same. I am continually pushed out of my comfort zone to support families in any way I can when traveling with their children. 

What challenges have you faced working in different places?

To list a few: flight delays, lost baggage, sickness while traveling, cultural differences, language barriers, and self-security; and of course, adjusting to different families and children each time. But these are all normal challenges a travel nanny should expect, and why it is so important to be flexible and prepared for even the worst travel days!

What is your favourite memory from your work and travel?

I honestly could not name one favourite. I have been taken to some of the most beautiful places on earth, and I am truly grateful for every opportunity each nanny family has given me. I’ve experienced things I never ever thought I’d be able to afford, and I’ve met people from other countries who I now call best friends. As I look back on all my photographs of my nanny kids over the years and remember everything I’ve accomplished as a nanny, I understand that these are memories I’ll cherish forever. 

Do you have any tips for a nanny dealing with jet lag? 

Yes, I always prepare at home before departing. Find out if you’re flying east or west and adjust accordingly. If you’re flying west, it causes your body to think your day’s getting longer, whereas going east makes it think the day is shorter. So the best plan of action is to adapt your body’s rhythm a few days before leaving. When you fly east, try to go to sleep a couple of hours earlier than usual. If you’re going west, stay awake one or two extra hours. You should also be getting up earlier or getting up later, respectively.

Drink plenty of water or juice, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. This is because caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the body and make it harder for you to adjust to the new time zone.

You can check out an article I wrote on helping nannies and parents conquer jet lag with their little ones here: https://www.suitcasenanny.com/jet-lag-from-tots-to-teens/ 

Getting around

Another important factor is transportation. In many destinations, including the UAE, renting a car can be the most convenient way to move around, especially when traveling with children. Having a rental car ensures flexibility, comfort, and safety, avoiding the hassle of waiting for taxis or navigating complex public transport. Services like car rental Dubai offer a wide range of family-friendly vehicles, making it easier for parents and nannies to travel comfortably. When renting a car in the UAE, it's essential to choose a reputable rental service, check car seat availability for young travelers, and ensure that your driving license is valid for the region.

Now, please tell us more about your book "How to Become a Travel Nanny."

This is my 3rd e-book, and it’s a topic I’ve always wanted to write about. I get so many messages asking me where and how to start a career in travel nannying, which is what led me to write this book. 

It’s 60 pages of all my best tips, resources, and advice. It gives you a deeper understanding of the process of becoming a travel nanny and answers many popular questions about the job itself, what to charge clients, and how to market yourself. I’ve made it accessible on smartphones, tablets, and computers, and you can access it at a moment's notice when needed. The Travel Nanny E-book is for anyone aspiring to become a travel nanny, anyone who is struggling to find travel nanny work and needing extra guidance on where to look, and any qualified nanny who wants to transition to become a travel nanny. 

I have also written two other e-books: ‘How to Become a Nanny’ and ‘How to Become an Au Pair.’. 

Do you have any plans to write more guides for nannies?

Yes, I have plans to write more e-books and guides for nannies, and I am currently working on other exciting things that I can’t share just yet!

What tips do you have for other travel nannies who want to succeed in their careers?

Travel nannying isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle, and it isn’t for everyone. Travel nannies need to ask themselves first, what would make them feel like they are succeeding in their career? Is it working for the elite, celebrities, and royals? Is it that they have a particular salary they’d like to earn, or maybe a bucket list of countries they’d like to visit? Whatever it may be, this is all achievable as a travel nanny if you are passionate about seeing the world through children’s eyes. My e-book on ‘How to Become a Travel Nanny’ has many expert tips on succeeding in this career.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In 5 years time, I see myself married with my own brood! I’d like to have written more E-books and have a larger established nanny community with SuitcaseNanny.com

Where is the best place to connect with you and find out more?

Connect with me via my social media pages Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram

Stay updated by visiting my website: www.suitcasenanny.com

Interested in a travel nanny job? Start your search here