Thanks to all those who contributed ...
1.
It's hot,
take shorts.
2.
Buy
some water boots at Big W etc. Because you are going to be swimming or walking
through mud at some stage littered with prickles, sticks and the kids will be
begging for you to come.
3.
Before you
head to your new job, ask the parents what each child is into and buy then a
book (reading, information or puzzle) on the subject. A great little gift
to give them on the first day in the schoolroom when you are getting to know
them.
4.
Make
sure during the interview stages that you pick a family that you think you'll
be able to get along with, pay isn't everything.
5.
Get to know
your family well before you go, become Facebook friends and all of you share
videos of you and your life.
6.
If
there is stuff you can't live without make sure you can take it along. I was
allowed to take my dogs and it made life much easier.
7.
The kids
education is your job. Get to know them, have a giggle but remember they
need to respect you when you say no.
8.
If
you think they're the wrong family for you or you won't make a good match,
trust your instincts.
9.
Take a
digital camera. You will have some amazing photos to take home
10.
Go
buy yourself a cheap laptop under $1000 to take with you. Also get a
Telstra prepaid wifi dongle that connects to an external aerial. If you
get phone service on property you can use it. Or you can take it with you
to town and use it when you are in for school events.
11.
Get
a hobby ...take up blogging, you can share your adventure with your friends and
family. Remember don't use the work families real names, use a codename.
For some good govies blogs check out gritandgiggles.blogspot.com or governessworld.blogspot.com
or outbackwindow.blogspot.com
13.
Shops are
far away .. take personal and medical supplies to last 10 weeks. It saves
any embarrassment you may feel when shopping with your boss or coming home in
the same car.
14.
Remember
to take different size cases. You need one to toss in the car when going
to town for a few days for a school event. The car will be packed up so
big case won't fit for town trips. I bought some Gidgee Smith Chest Bags Medium Size I can wipe the dust off and it squashes well.
15.
Pack a set
of clothes for every occasion. Clothes to get grubby, town clothes, race
day clothes.
16.
Choose
a job and area which appeals to you ... family and friends will have different
ideas but in the end you will be the one going there.
17.
Get to know
govies on your school. Your all in the same position and will be great
for social support.
18.
Pet
calves always leave a warm disgusting mess at the door. Look before
walking.
19.
Feeding pet
calves is not nearly as much fun at the end of the year as it was at the
start. By this time the kids will have abandoned the chore to you.
20.
Afternoon
walks can keep you sane and keep the weight off from all the yummy food you are
eating 5 times a day.
21.
Your bosses
bedroom is always a long way from dogs who bark all night.
22.
Take
a alarm clock / radio that your MP3 player can connect to. Drowns out
barking animals, it will be great to wake up to music.
23.
The outback
doesn't have many radio stations so bring music.
24.
Power
blackouts take a long time to fix in the outback ... bringing a windup torch
saves on batteries.
25.
Be prepared
to not see much TV if you are sharing with the family. The TV may be
dominated by cartoons, news and weather. Get a family member to tape your
favourite shows and post them.
26.
Give
the family space, throughout each week, in the afternoon and night to spend
time as a family. The parents need to have conversations which don't need
to always include the governess.
27.
Smoko
(morning and afternoon break) may look fantastic but after you have put on a
clothing size the budget will be drained.
28.
Telstra
Blue Tick mobile phone is the only type that get decent service along the roads
and in town. Talk to your boss or other govies about what they recommend.
29.
Buy a pair
of boots that pull on and protect your feet. My Baxter Boots, I can't
live.
30.
At some stage you will have to squat
behind the car to go to the toilet ... so get use to that thought now.
Do you have any to add? already have thought of more for the next installment. While even I don't agree with everyone of these it is great to have such a wide range of opinions.
