
For
many nannies, traveling internationally is a regular part of their job
duties. Often times, due to scheduling conflicts or out of convenience, a
nanny and her charge will travel separately from the child’s parents.
While doing so can be an exciting adventure, it also requires careful
planning and preparation. If you’ll be traveling internationally with
your charge, here are 10 things to consider.
1. Passports. Be sure that both you and your
charge’s passports are current. You’ll want to be sure that your return
travel dates are well within your passports’ expiration dates. It’s also
a good idea to make a photocopy of your passports and take them with
you in your travel bag. Upon arrival to your destination, store them in a
safe or secure area. If your passport was to get stolen, having a copy
would make it easier to replace.
2. Visas. Before travelling internationally you’ll
want to be sure that the necessary visas are secured for you and your
charge. Even if you are told you don’t need a visa, you’ll want to
confirm this information for yourself, as the rules are constantly
changing.
3. Get a notarized consent form. When traveling
internationally with your charge, you’ll want to have written consent to
do so. Be sure your employers draft a letter giving you permission to
travel abroad with their child and that the letter is notarized.
4. Get a notarized medical authorization form. It’s
always a good idea for a nanny to have a notarized written medical
authorization form so that her charge can receive medical treatment
should the parents be unreachable.
5. Medical power of attorney. For families who want
to be sure that their child will be able to receive any medical
treatment necessary and know that they may be largely unreachable,
giving their nanny a medical power of attorney may make sense.
6. Expenses. When travelling with your charge you
want to be sure you have the financial resources available should there
be a kink in your travel plans. A family credit card with your name on
it, cash on hand, and cash in the currency used in your final
destination can make covering unanticipated expenses easier.
7. Check connections. Entering customs and
immigration can take a long time when you are traveling alone, never
mind when traveling with a child. Make sure that you’ll have enough time
to travel through customs and immigration between flights, if
necessary.
8. Medication information. If your charge is
prescribed prescription medication or formula you’ll want to travel with
the medication or formula in the original containers. Having a doctor’s
note outlining any health concerns or prescribed medications can also
be helpful should you be questioned about the medications at your entry
point or should your charge become ill while abroad.
9. Reserve seats. Sometimes it costs extra to
reserve airlines seats, but if you’re traveling with a non-lap baby,
doing so is essential so that you can ensure you are seated together.
For extra room consider reserving bulkhead seats.
10. Use a neck pouch. Consider wearing a neck pouch
that is concealed underneath your shirt. Putting your travel documents,
money, and important documentation in this pouch can make accessing it
and keeping track of it easier.
Traveling internationally can be a rewarding experience, but when
traveling with children it’s vital to be prepared for the worst case
scenario. Consider how you’ll handle delays, cancellations, and other
bumps that may present themselves during your journey together.
P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Debbie Denard. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and
under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:
http://www.nanny.net/blog/10-things-to-consider-when-traveling-internationally-with-your-charges/