Why do people bring nanny's?

[ZIPBAGS]

I was just at Disney. Over the course of the trip. I must have seen 5 or 6 families with nanny's in tow. Now don't get me wrong. I understand why people have them at home. But, why would you bring one on vacation? Your there to spend time with you kids. Are their times on a trip where I wish I had one? Sure, but thats so maybe I could go out late with the wife. But, I can always get a babysitter. They were using them to hold the kids, push them in a stroller or to help feed them.
I am not trying to criticize anyone...to each his/her own. Just seems like it defeats the purpose of a family vacation.

ps-And before someone asks. Only 2 of the families had a child less than a year or two old.

 

[noseybuddy]

If I could of afforded a nanny when my kids were young I would have brought her too. Disney is a lot of work with young kids and I did it many times. The more hands the better!

 

[donaldsgal]

How do you know they were nannies and not aunts, cousins, older siblings, etc.? Just a question, not a flame.

 

[icebaby]

I went on vacations with a family I used to babysit. a lot. (WDW once, Boca Raton 2X, Hilton Head 2X and countless weekend trips . . .) Anyway, I used to go for the purpose of helping watch the children (3 of them 2 years apart) while in crowds, the parents would take the little one back to the hotel room for a nap, while I stayed at the parks with the 2 older ones. The parents also would go out to dinner at least 2X during the week by themselves, and the kids and I would eat dinner at the resort and hang at the pool. I personally don't have the need (or the $$$) to bring a babysitter/nanny along, I have 1 child, but I can understand there are situations where it might help a family enjoy their vacation MORE. . .

 

[janets]

at that time it was her, her dh, ds#1 (approx 11), dd#1 (approx 6), ds#2 (approx 1.75) and dd#2 (approx 6 months) and their nanny.

It would have been incredibly difficult for the two of them to manage 4 kids (2 in diapers and cribs) at the parks. The oldest could do some rides, the older 2 others, the babies others. They would not have been able to split up effectively to let everyone enjoy the vacation. And believe me, they had no intention of leaving the kids and going out alone together.

Their nanny did the same thing at Disney as she does at home...helps with the kids and is an extra set of hands.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

at that time it was her, her dh, ds#1 (approx 11), dd#1 (approx 6), ds#2 (approx 1.75) and dd#2 (approx 6 months) and their nanny.

It would have been incredibly difficult for the two of them to manage 4 kids (2 in diapers and cribs) at the parks. The oldest could do some rides, the older 2 others, the babies others. They would not have been able to split up effectively to let everyone enjoy the vacation. And believe me, they had no intention of leaving the kids and going out alone together.

Their nanny did the same thing at Disney as she does at home...helps with the kids and is an extra set of hands.

Only 2 of the families had more than 3 kids. The rest were the 2 kids. And I saw both parents there. So one wasn't back in the hotel with the kids.

Again, I am not trying to come down on people. Just curious.

 

[Tabetha]

I nannied briefly, and I was considered a part of the family. They were planning a trip on what was then "The Big Red Boat", Disney Cruise, and I was invited.
Partly to help with the kids so the adults could enjoy some time to themselves, partly because they wanted me to come and enjoy myself.

Sadly, the cruise fell through when the mom broke up with the boyfriend!

 

[andrabell]

I'm not having kids unless we can afford a Nanny. And she'd go *everywhere* with us. In fact, no she wouldn't. She'd stay at home with the kids while DH and I romped our way through WDW!

 

[Me&Mic]

We have a live-in nanny who has been part of our family for 2 1/2 years. We take her everywhere. She is from another country and doesn't have family close by so we have made her part of our family. She doesn't have any money so the ability to go to wonderful places like disney world is beyond her reach. We want to show her places that are fun and exciting. And she loves us and wants to be with us (especially our son).

The added bonus for us is that we get a night out to be adults. A very rare opportunity for us as we have way too much parent guilt to leave our son on weekend when we are at work every day during the week.

It is difficult to have an extra person in your house without them becoming a member of your family. I'm sure many people who have care givers feel the same way.

Yes, it is a time to be with family...but many of us feel that our nannies are part of our family...especially if they live in!

 

[awatt]

We bring our au pair to WDW and our vacation homes because we treat her as part of the family and, as such, it would be wrong to leave her behind. (Remember Ohana?)

We do not need her to babysit. Have done vacations in the past without an au pair,no problem there. She does however provide an extra set of hands, or feet, as any family member would.

Having her with us in no way detracts from family time, or our idea of a family vacation. Think of it as the more the merrier.

We are able to share some special places with someone who otherwise would never experience them, which is quite rewarding.

 

[grimley1968]

I have no problems with people doing this. The nanny gets something of a vacation out of it, and it helps the parents enjoy things somewhat.

I only wish I was rich enough to afford a nanny.

 

[wintergreen]

We have a live-in nanny who has been part of our family for 2 1/2 years. We take her everywhere. She is from another country and doesn't have family close by so we have made her part of our family. She doesn't have any money so the ability to go to wonderful places like disney world is beyond her reach. We want to show her places that are fun and exciting. And she loves us and wants to be with us (especially our son).

The added bonus for us is that we get a night out to be adults. A very rare opportunity for us as we have way too much parent guilt to leave our son on weekend when we are at work every day during the week.

It is difficult to have an extra person in your house without them becoming a member of your family. I'm sure many people who have care givers feel the same way.

Yes, it is a time to be with family...but many of us feel that our nannies are part of our family...especially if they live in!

I agree with this. We have brought two of our au pairs with us twice on trips to WDW. Au pairs are girls who come to the United States for about a year on a cultural exchange program to help U.S. families with childcare. Our au pairs are part of the family for the year that they live with us. We took our current au pair with us when we went in July. She is from Brazil, and told us that it was "her lifelong dream" to be able to go to Disney World. We got help with the kids, a few nights out as grown ups, and were able to help her fulfill her dream. Other than two nights out for dinner (when most of that time the kids were resting in the room or sleeping) we WERE with our family.

 

[Me&Mic]

Grimley 1968 - If you can afford day care, you can afford a Au Pair. It's the same price! If you have more than 2 children, it's actually cheaper...and a wonderful, rewarding experience. I highly recommend it!

 

[grimley1968]

Grimley 1968 - If you can afford day care, you can afford a Au Pair. It's the same price! If you have more than 2 children, it's actually cheaper...and a wonderful, rewarding experience. I highly recommend it!

Maybe so, but we have no spare bedrooms, or even beds. I don't think I can accommodate an overnight guest, much less a live-in nanny. And frankly, daycare costs just about kill us, and we're not exactly poor, either.

We were actually grateful for our oldest daughter to enter kindergarten in our public school system's K-12 system. We pay tuition for her to attend a school outside our actual district, but that is a pittance compared to what we paid for daycare for her. Now at least we only pay for daycare for our youngest DD, and then for only 2 days per week.

 

[DisneyMom5]

at that time it was her, her dh, ds#1 (approx 11), dd#1 (approx 6), ds#2 (approx 1.75) and dd#2 (approx 6 months) and their nanny.

It would have been incredibly difficult for the two of them to manage 4 kids (2 in diapers and cribs) at the parks. The oldest could do some rides, the older 2 others, the babies others. They would not have been able to split up effectively to let everyone enjoy the vacation. And believe me, they had no intention of leaving the kids and going out alone together.

Their nanny did the same thing at Disney as she does at home...helps with the kids and is an extra set of hands.

It's got to be what you are used to.
Not to criticize this family, because I am sure it's how their home runs best, but my dh and I took 6 kids ages 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11 to WDW this August all by ourselves. It absolutely can be done.
But like I said, its what you are used to.
We take 6 kids everywhere by ourselves. No big deal.
Sometimes we take turns riding rides, sometimes just one parent or the other goes. It all works out.
I just didn't want anyone to be discouraged from taking more than 2 children or a broad age range of children to WDW without help.
Should we have more children, we will have to take another adult just to be able to have a 3rd room, since 3 rooms at values is still more affordable than a Grand Villa. But I agree that whoever we choose would just add to the fun!

 

[tjmouse]

Thanks for all the info - interesting thread! I guess I didn't realize how popular nannys and au pairs were!

 

[have2getaway]

I have heard that au pairs are less expensive than day care if you have more than one child. Day care DOES kill us financially for one child, but I will most likely never have an au pair even with two for the simple fact that I could not afford both. The day care our ds goes to is actually more like a preschool. I feel that socialization and playing with other children is too important for him to go without.

As far as bringing a nanny on a family trip, I agree that they are most likely considered part of the family.

 

[wdwjunkie2005]

Nannies going on trips to THE WORLD?

Anyone need a nanny?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'd rather hire a photographer and/or a videographer, but that's just me

 

[danny1649]