This essay as told is based on a conversation with Samantha Jordan, a 30-year-old professional nanny, newborn care specialist and postpartum doula who splits her time between Las Vegas and Upland, California. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I have been a professional nanny for 12 years. I started when I was 18, while in college, and over the years I worked with some very high net worth families. I am also a newborn care specialist and postpartum doula.
Travel is a big part of a nanny’s job. Sometimes families hire me specifically for a trip, whether it’s two months in Europe or a week in Cabo. Other times, I work for them in a full-time, long-term position. I know other nannies who travel every week or get a call on a random Friday to go to the Bahamas.
I learned a lot through these experiences, including emergency preparedness, ways to entertain kids without a screen, and situational awareness in a new place. I always want to be aware of my surroundings, especially when caring for someone else’s children.
One thing that is non-negotiable for me: I don’t travel on private planes.
I talk about it from the very first interview
I know many families that I usually interview on private flights. I let them know upfront, so neither of us waste time if a private flight is something we need. I think parents really appreciate transparency and honesty up front.
Sometimes, however, a family may really like me as a candidate and be willing to make an exception: work with me and let me do commercial flights.
If we reach this point, I will make sure our agreement is in writing. I want everything we discussed and agreed to be included in the contract so we both have something to refer to.
I interviewed a family who needed regular helicopter flights. We were unable to reach an agreement, so unfortunately I had to leave my position.
Part of my hesitation comes from a story my husband told me
He told me about a private flight he took as a college athlete that left him feeling like he had suddenly collapsed. I don’t know the details of the plane or what caused it, but it stuck with me.
I’ve since read more about flying privately, and that unfamiliarity makes me nervous, especially because I already don’t like flying. I know the level of monitoring can vary depending on the operator and type of flight, but personally I feel more comfortable on a commercial airline. I’m not comfortable flying privately.
Even if accidents are rare, rarity does not eliminate risk
I’m not particularly interested in taking on additional risks simply because they are statistically unlikely to materialize. When I travel professionally, I am responsible for someone else’s children. This responsibility influences how I evaluate situations, including those that most people don’t think twice about.
I agree that private aviation is not inherently dangerous, but I also don’t believe that access to private aviation automatically makes it the best choice. If commercial airlines can meet our needs, that’s where I feel most comfortable.
I found ways to travel with family without taking a private flight
I also convinced some families to fly commercially. Other families accept that I meet them at their destination. Family always covers my plane ticket. I once met a family in Mexico after they took a private flight there.
Before traveling I will ask questions such as if we are traveling during nap time, what can I bring and what can I take on their jet if I meet them there and they take the kids on the jet.
I also have other safety limits. I always need to know who’s driving. I won’t get in a car with a stranger, even if it’s a driver. I need to meet them and know who they are.
I also don’t like going into the ocean if I can’t see the bottom or my feet. I’m not going to take my babies to the beach by myself and I’m not going to put them in the water. I prefer not to take unnecessary risks.
Nannies may feel pressured to put their job ahead of their safety
I don’t think all nannies have adequate protection when traveling for work. We are sometimes forced into uncomfortable positions where we have to make choices. There is not always respect for us in all situations.
I posted videos about these concerns on TikTok after the recent crash in Florida, and people said they had never thought about it before. Some nannies said they would make changes to their contracts.
It can be uncomfortable to talk. I think it’s because it’s a very intimate relationship and there are a lot of blurred lines. You become friendly and like family, but you still have to speak up and remind them, “Hey, I’m actually your employee.”
I mentor other nannies, and one thing I tell them is to be curious and see where the family comes from. I think most of the time the expectations of the nanny and the family don’t match. You need to understand what to expect and have these conversations from an honest place.
Families need to take their nannies’ boundaries seriously
Nannies need to remember that they always have a choice, even if that choice costs you your job. I would also encourage them to be accommodating and offer alternatives.
Most nannies show incredible self-sacrifice. If a nanny sets a boundary, it is serious and should be treated as such. If you have the money for accommodation, make do.
Employers should ask if their nanny is comfortable with private flights and specify the type of plane and operator. They should ask what types of travel the nanny is or is not comfortable with, and why. They should also ask what insurance they have, whether the nanny is comfortable traveling alone with the children for business purposes, and what travel safety standards are in place.
It’s intimate and hard work. Nannies give everything they have to families, and sometimes they give their lives. It’s not just babysitting. Take care of each other and truly appreciate your nanny.
Gn bussni
