If you’re being hired as a summer nanny, it’s unrealistic to expect to get time off. You’re working so that the family can have a vacation, not so that you can. If you’re a college student, you kind of expected to work through the summer anyway. Everybody knows that life happens and it’s possible you could end up sick for a few days, an unexpected crisis could occur in your own family, etc.
As a professional nanny, you should always have a backup plan. Chances are, the family who hired you as their summer nanny already has a contingency plan if they have to go to work, or are planning a vacation without the kids, should something happen to prevent you from showing up one morning. Still, it’s a good idea to at least have a plan. There area any number of things you could do, but here are a few ideas:
1) Plan for backup transportation in case something happens to your vehicle. There’s always public transportation, or maybe you could plan to use a friend or other family member’s vehicle if needed.
2) Sick? If you know someone with enough qualifications to sub as the summer nanny while you’re ill, tell the family! They’ll appreciate the fact that you’ve thought that far ahead.
3) Family crisis? If something happens within your own family, you may require a day or two off to deal with things. Again, have the name and number of someone who would be able to step in and take over until you return to work.
Summer nannies are relied on as heavily as any other working nanny. Showing your true professional nature by being prepared for eventualities out of your control could very well be the ticket to get you more summer nanny jobs for years to come.
