Few things are more exciting for a parent than witnessing their child in the act of discovery. What a thrill it can be to introduce your youngster to a new place, and see his or her face light up with excitement and wonder! Even a humdrum trip to the next county over can feel like striking out into new and uncharted territory; if your family has never taken a trip there together, it's all new for the little ones, and their enthusiasm is sure to rub off on you no matter how mundane the destination. However, planning and executing a long trip can be a tall order for the single parent; particularly when traveling to overseas destinations (often the most exciting and memorable of all family outings), one has to worry about lodging, itineraries, exchanging money, etc.; all while keeping the rabble under control. Hiring a family guide - a combination professional travel guide and a nanny - can make the difference between a successful, orderly outing with the troops that you'll all fondly remember, and a tearful, chaotic mess that you'll all wish you could forget!
Though the right family guide can be an invaluable asset, choosing one that is both qualified and can function well with your family is task that you'll have to undertake alone. To lend you a helping hand, we'll look through the various decisions and qualities a parent should focus on when choosing a guide, either through an agency or as an independent contractor: where to look, how to read an applicant's profile, and what to ask during an interview.
Finding Your Guide
The best resource for trustworthy reviews of family guides are the people you personally trust most; your family and friends. Ask around to see if someone in your inner circle has ever hired a guide, and if so, what their experience was like with the person or agency they contracted. Failing that, the internet will be your next best option. Make sure to look up consumer reviews of any freelance guide or agency you come across, to get the most straightforward appraisal of the company from the mouths of other customers. Exercise the same caution you would when taking your family into any unfamiliar territory - that gut instinct will serve you just as well when choosing a guide as it will when you're all galavanting abroad.
Once you've found a good number of suitable profiles to choose from, it's time to start whittling down your options. When planning an international trip, a guide who speaks the language of your destination will be invaluable, so check first for the requisite communication skills. No less essential is the ability to deal with children, be they rambunctious youngsters or sullen adolescents, with grace and a cheerful attitude; especially when your whole family is running low on patience, time, and energy, the family guide will be the one who keeps everyone in good spirits and focused on your goal (even if that goal is just getting to the hotel so you can all crash). Some family guides will be able to claim a background in child psychology; though they might be on the more expensive end, these guides are usually well worth the extra price for the insight and management skills they can bring to the table.
After selecting the top candidates who meet your requirements and price range, your next and final step in the hiring process is to schedule interviews. Meeting the prospective guide in person can help you solidify questions about their personality, bearing, and attitude. Additionally, be sure to bring the matter of privacy up, as you may want your guide to sign a confidentiality agreement, depending on the age range of your children. This is to ensure that you, as their legal guardian, and only you, are kept informed of their activities when you're not around.
Be Sure of Your Choice of Guide
A good guide should be ready to help you plan the trip from the outset, organizing where you'll stay, how you'll get around, and where you can stop to rest or eat along the way. Ask if your guide has firsthand experience with any of the areas you'll be visiting, and take their recommendations into account when drawing up an itinerary. Needless to say, one of the most important disclosures will be regarding any criminal history or convictions that may be in the guide's past, so do your own research in addition to requesting this information from them personally (any inappropriate behavior around children would be a big red flag!). Provided you ask the important questions and do your research thoroughly, adding the services of a family guide to your trip can help to make this vacation the best you and your family have yet experienced - one for the photo album, and one to treasure for the rest of your lives.
Though the right family guide can be an invaluable asset, choosing one that is both qualified and can function well with your family is task that you'll have to undertake alone. To lend you a helping hand, we'll look through the various decisions and qualities a parent should focus on when choosing a guide, either through an agency or as an independent contractor: where to look, how to read an applicant's profile, and what to ask during an interview.
Finding Your Guide
The best resource for trustworthy reviews of family guides are the people you personally trust most; your family and friends. Ask around to see if someone in your inner circle has ever hired a guide, and if so, what their experience was like with the person or agency they contracted. Failing that, the internet will be your next best option. Make sure to look up consumer reviews of any freelance guide or agency you come across, to get the most straightforward appraisal of the company from the mouths of other customers. Exercise the same caution you would when taking your family into any unfamiliar territory - that gut instinct will serve you just as well when choosing a guide as it will when you're all galavanting abroad.
Once you've found a good number of suitable profiles to choose from, it's time to start whittling down your options. When planning an international trip, a guide who speaks the language of your destination will be invaluable, so check first for the requisite communication skills. No less essential is the ability to deal with children, be they rambunctious youngsters or sullen adolescents, with grace and a cheerful attitude; especially when your whole family is running low on patience, time, and energy, the family guide will be the one who keeps everyone in good spirits and focused on your goal (even if that goal is just getting to the hotel so you can all crash). Some family guides will be able to claim a background in child psychology; though they might be on the more expensive end, these guides are usually well worth the extra price for the insight and management skills they can bring to the table.
After selecting the top candidates who meet your requirements and price range, your next and final step in the hiring process is to schedule interviews. Meeting the prospective guide in person can help you solidify questions about their personality, bearing, and attitude. Additionally, be sure to bring the matter of privacy up, as you may want your guide to sign a confidentiality agreement, depending on the age range of your children. This is to ensure that you, as their legal guardian, and only you, are kept informed of their activities when you're not around.
Be Sure of Your Choice of Guide
A good guide should be ready to help you plan the trip from the outset, organizing where you'll stay, how you'll get around, and where you can stop to rest or eat along the way. Ask if your guide has firsthand experience with any of the areas you'll be visiting, and take their recommendations into account when drawing up an itinerary. Needless to say, one of the most important disclosures will be regarding any criminal history or convictions that may be in the guide's past, so do your own research in addition to requesting this information from them personally (any inappropriate behavior around children would be a big red flag!). Provided you ask the important questions and do your research thoroughly, adding the services of a family guide to your trip can help to make this vacation the best you and your family have yet experienced - one for the photo album, and one to treasure for the rest of your lives.
About the Author:
Original source: Family Guides and Traveling as a Single Parent . To find out more on Single Parent Adventures see Guided Trips Mexico.
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