The Role of a Nanny in Family Outings and Trips — And How to Compensate Them Fairly

Planning a beach weekend, a Disney trip, or even just a long Saturday at the zoo? If you’re a physician family with a nanny, chances are you’ve asked yourself: Should we bring our nanny along? What would that look like? And how do we fairly compensate them for the extra time and responsibilities?

This is one of those nuanced, emotionally layered topics that tends to come up quietly in conversation between physician parents who are constantly trying to balance work and family life. It's not always easy to figure out what’s appropriate, especially when your nanny feels like part of the family—but still is an employee. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve learned from real families, nannies, and childcare professionals navigating these waters.

Why Families Bring Nannies on Outings and Trips

1. You Actually Want to Enjoy the Outing

Let’s be honest: outings with kids can be chaos. Even the most magical family vacation can turn stressful without support. A nanny can help maintain routines (think naps, snacks, diaper changes), wrangle multiple children in busy environments, and give parents space to enjoy themselves.

One mom in a two-physician household shared, “When we went to Florida with our two toddlers, I knew we’d need someone to help during the day while we each attended conference sessions—but we also wanted a few evenings out just the two of us. Our nanny gave us that freedom while also helping the kids feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.”

2. Children Thrive With Familiarity

Kids feel safer when their routine and caretakers remain consistent, especially when traveling to a new place. The transition is easier when their trusted caregiver is along for the ride.

This is especially true for infants, toddlers, and neurodivergent children who may struggle with sleep disruptions or sensory overload.

3. Support During Emergencies

For physician families, being “on call” never really ends. If there’s a late-night page from the hospital while you’re out of town or an unexpected emergency back home, having a nanny along means there’s already a capable, trusted adult ready to step in.

The Nanny’s Role: On the Clock vs. Off the Clock

It’s essential to define expectations before the outing or trip begins. Families and nannies alike have run into murky territory when boundaries weren't clearly established upfront.

Here are some common role types during trips:

1. Full Support (24/7 On Call)

In this scenario, the nanny is expected to be available all day and possibly into the evening or overnight. This is typical for longer trips or when the family expects to need continuous support.

✅ Compensation tip: This setup should come with premium pay, guaranteed rest breaks, and often a daily rate rather than hourly, especially for overnight care.

2. Scheduled Hours With Flexibility

The nanny works defined hours during the day (e.g., 8 AM – 6 PM) with built-in flexibility for evening babysitting or special events. They have clear time off, often when the parents are actively engaging with the children.

✅ Compensation tip: Pay hourly for worked hours and ensure there is written agreement on the schedule. Offer extra pay for any time beyond the agreed-upon hours.

3. Hybrid Travel Companion

In some families, the nanny joins the trip more as an “extra pair of hands” rather than a fully scheduled caregiver. They’re not “on” 100% of the time but help out as needed—watching the baby while you get ready, keeping older siblings entertained, etc.

✅ Compensation tip: Even if the schedule is loose, this should still be considered work time. Compensate with a flat day rate that includes paid downtime, or agree on a generous hourly minimum even for partial availability.

How to Compensate Your Nanny for Outings and Trips

Whether it’s a day at the museum or a week in Maui, fair compensation is more than just wages. It's also about clear communication, mutual respect, and anticipating needs.

Here’s a guide to doing it right:

1. Pay for All Hours Worked

This includes:

• Travel time if it's part of their workday

• Evening babysitting

• Middle-of-the-night wake-ups

• Meal supervision

• Helping kids pack/unpack

• Entertaining children in transit

Pro tip: If the nanny is away from their own home, that’s a work trip—even if they’re not actively doing tasks every moment. Travel is disruptive, and their personal time is limited, so compensation should reflect that.

2. Daily Rate vs. Hourly Rate

Many families opt for a daily rate when traveling to simplify calculations and acknowledge the nanny’s general availability, even outside strict working hours.

A sample breakdown:

• $25/hr for 8 hours/day = $200/day minimum

• Add $100–150 for overnights

• Total: $300–350/day depending on age/number of children and responsibilities

For short outings (like a weekend day at the zoo), stick with the hourly rate—just be sure to include drive time, extra prep (packing bags, snacks, etc.), and any meals that span into her work hours.

3. Travel Expenses Should Be Covered

At a minimum, you should cover:

• Flights or transportation

• Hotel room (private room or separate bed in shared suite)

• Meals during the trip

• Any admission tickets (theme parks, museums, etc.)

• Any required items for the job (i.e., extra stroller, sunscreen, etc.)

What about airfare?
The nanny’s flight should be paid in full by the family. This is not a personal trip for them, even if it’s in a fun location.

4. Provide Time Off During the Trip

Just because the family is “on vacation” doesn’t mean your nanny is too. Build in actual off hours where they can rest, explore the area on their own, or call home.

Some families offer:

• A half day off every few days

• A stipend for a solo dinner or massage

• Flexible time to sleep in or relax

This is especially important for long trips or if they’re working longer-than-normal shifts.

5. Be Transparent About Sleeping Arrangements

We’ve seen everything from a private suite to (unfortunately) “the pull-out couch in the hallway.” The best practice? Give your nanny a private room.

If a private room isn’t possible, have a direct conversation about where they’ll sleep, how privacy will be maintained, and how overnight care will be handled.

6. Show Appreciation

Trips are often harder on nannies than they are on parents. They’re juggling different environments, high expectations, and the pressure of keeping your children safe and happy in unfamiliar places.

Small gestures go a long way:

• A thank you note at the end of the trip

• A bonus if the trip included a lot of emotional labor or extended hours

• A paid recovery day off once you return

The Most Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Here are a few real-life missteps we’ve seen—along with how to sidestep them gracefully:

Pitfall #1: Treating the Trip Like a Gift Instead of a Job

Some families assume that because the destination is beautiful, the nanny is lucky to be there.

Fix: Always frame the trip as work. Even if the beach is gorgeous, she’s still “on” while the kids are melting down over sand in their swimsuits.

Pitfall #2: Skipping the Pre-Trip Expectations Talk

One nanny told us she thought she was helping out “here and there” but ended up being the only adult awake with the baby every morning—and didn’t feel she could say no.

Fix: Have a pre-travel meeting. Discuss:

• Hours and responsibilities

• Free time expectations

• Sleeping arrangements

• Pay and per diem

• Emergency plans

Put it all in writing (even if it’s just an email summary).

Pitfall #3: Not Including the Nanny in the Logistics

If your nanny is in charge of packing, carrying, and managing the kids, she needs to know:

• Flight times

• Hotel info

• What to pack

• Emergency contacts

• Travel documents

Fix: Treat her as part of the planning team, not an afterthought.

When It's Okay Not to Invite the Nanny

Of course, not every outing or trip requires a nanny to come along. Here are some cases where you may not want or need extra help:

• You’re visiting extended family who will help with the kids

• You want focused, nuclear-family bonding time

• The trip is short and low-key (think: two nights at a cabin)

• The nanny has obligations or isn’t interested

If that’s the case, consider giving your nanny those days off with pay—especially if you're traveling during their usual working hours. This signals respect and maintains consistency.

Real Family Voices

From what we’ve gathered across forums, caregiver communities, and physician families we work with, here’s what stands out:

• Families appreciate the peace of mind and presence a nanny brings on trips.

• Nannies want to feel prepared, respected, and fairly compensated.

• Both sides are happiest when expectations are clear and documented.

One physician couple reflected: “The first time we brought our nanny to a conference, we winged it—and she was totally overwhelmed. The next time, we sat down beforehand, made a full itinerary with clear shifts, and gave her a day rate plus a day off when we got home. It went 100% better.”

Final Thoughts

Bringing your nanny on outings or family trips can be a game-changer—not just for logistics, but for connection, calm, and even your own ability to unwind. But it’s not something to take lightly. This is work for your nanny, even if it’s happening at a luxury resort.

With thoughtful planning, clear communication, and fair compensation, everyone can enjoy the experience—and come home feeling more connected, not more depleted.

Need help finding a travel-ready nanny or writing up a fair agreement for your next trip?
We work with families across the U.S.—especially physician households—and we’d be happy to guide you through it.

Sources and Inspiration

Conversations and themes adapted from:

• Reddit r/nanny

• BabyCenter Community

• Wanderlust Nannies Blog

• Nanny Counsel