Olivia, our Vacation Nanny, and the kids!

Why you need a nanny for your next holiday.

Integrity is more than just some company buzzword. It’s at the core of everything we do, and that means I better practice what I preach.

So, a key part of my continuous journey of self-improvement is to be more present and live each moment more intentionally. I have a responsibility to my children to be checked in during family time.

Few bonding experiences are as precious as those enjoyed on a family vacation. Those childhood vacations stay with us all forever as special memories.

Mommy-Daughter date night at the boardwalk!

However, let’s be honest, holidays are hectic! That’s especially true for the parent who is in charge of making sure things go smoothly. And in my family, that person is me.

So, this past spring break, I hired a nanny to come with me and my four children on our beach vacation. I was hoping that she would serve as a (much needed) extra pair of hands, but she ended up being so much more impactful than just that.

You also deserve rest.

Typically, a “vacation” with my four kids is anything but relaxing for me. They’re all different ages and have totally unique interests and needs.

I asked the Preferred ChildCare team to help us find someone and I promptly received a few candidate profiles to review. We arranged interviews with our top two choices and hired Olivia because her positive energy fit well with our busy family.

Before we left for our trip, Olivia came to babysit one evening so she could get to know the kids better. A week later, she showed up 10 minutes early, suitcase packed, and wearing a big smile on her face. She was ready to roll and eager to help!

Are we there yet?

I asked Olivia to pack the SUV while I finished breakfast with the kids. I came outside 20 minutes later to see Olivia playing Tetris with the luggage, bags, and beach gear—I was amazed she made it all fit so neatly.

On the ride down to the beach, Olivia kept the children entertained by playing road trip games and dishing out snacks. Even when the kids got restless and started bickering, Olivia remained enthusiastic and helped keep them entertained and calm.

During a pitstop, Olivia took the kids inside to use the bathroom while I had a moment of silence. When they all returned to the car laughing, I just knew it was going to be a fun week!

Even in those early days, Olivia was so intuitive! I didn’t have to direct her or check up on her—she searched for opportunities to help and seemed to just “get” us. Plus, the children adored her!

Fun in the sun (for everyone).

On beach days, Olivia was accommodating, hands-on, and playful. She got in the (freezing cold) water with the kids, built sandcastles with the little ones, collected seashells with my daughter, and played tee-ball for hours with our preschooler.

Olivia was also on top of the logistics. She helped the children reapply sunscreen, made sure everyone was hydrated, and more—all without me having to ask! Sure, that freed me of the physical load of “doing,” but it also liberated me from the “emotional” labor of constantly worrying about all my kids at once.

With seemingly boundless energy and excitement, Olivia got up early every day and prepared a warm breakfast for everyone. Then, while we were eating, she packed the cooler for lunch on the beach and helped dress the little ones.

Olivia either came back to the house every afternoon with the preschooler for naptime or stayed and played with the other children. She made dinner every night or accompanied us out to restaurants, keeping hungry children patient during long waits.

Having Olivia there to play board games with the older children while I put the preschooler to bed transformed a tumultuous time of the evening into one of ease and joy.

Perhaps best of all, Olivia’s support allowed me to have one-on-one time with each of my kids throughout the week. Nothing is better than a mother-daughter or mother-son date night at the beach!

Olivia & Mason playing Tee Ball for HOURS

With Olivia by our side, I also got the chance to read at the beach, schedule a 90-minute massage at the local spa, and (are you ready for THIS?), nap. On the way home, she even offered to drive! Now that’s what I call a real vacation.

Let’s find your “Olivia!”

I love my children, but as I mentioned, they have a wide age gap and outnumber me which can make traveling with them stressful. Olivia made this family trip a true vacation for me, too.

This was one of my favorite holidays because I was able to genuinely relax and enjoy it while also knowing that my children had a special and fun trip. I’ve found myself already planning more trips this summer because I know Olivia will make things go smoothly and take excellent care of ALL of us!

It’s not too late to line up top-quality help for your summer holiday! Learn more about vacation nannies from our Preferred ChildCare team. No matter what your needs are, our incredible caregivers are ready to answer the call!

“Family traveling together means a little bit of crazy, a little bit of loud, and a whole lot of love.” – Anonymous.