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Although you love your child, you need a break from them occasionally. This is where your qualified and prescreened babysitter comes in. You can make the experience of using a babysitter a positive one for everyone by giving the babysitter these simple tools.
House Tour & House Rules- Ask your sitter to arrive 15 minutes early so you can familiarize them with your home. Where do you keep the baby wipes and extra diapers? The fire extinguisher? Knowing where to find important things will give your caregiver more time to pay close attention to your child. Also use this time to go over your house rules. Some things to consider:
- Is it alright to make personal phone calls?
- What is your TV watching or internet policy?
- Are there any rooms that are off limits?
- What food may the sitter eat?
- May the sitter invite a friend over?
Contact Info- Chances are that everything will be fine while you are out painting the town red, but in the rare event that there is an emergency, your babysitter will need to know how to contact you. It is imperative that your caregiver have necessary emergency numbers handy. This set of form from Phone a Babysitter .com includes areas to list allergies, relative contact information, and emergency numbers. Make sure to add the number for the Poison Control Center - 1-800-222-2222.
Prepare your Child- I love to tell my child what is going to happen. It is really fun to watch him as he anticipates upcoming visits and events. Use that enthusiasm to get him excited about the babysitter. Talk about how fun it will be and some of the things that the babysitter will do with him. Make it clear that you expect them to behave and obey the sitter in your absence and sweeten the deal by throwing in an incentive.
Make it Special- Your child has waited anxiously all day for the sitter to arrive. You can make this babysitting experience special by allowing a break from the ordinary. Instead of boring chicken nuggets, peas and mashed potatoes, order a pizza or something else that would be considered a rare delicacy for your child. “Loosen” the house rules a bit by making bedtime a little later, or allowing a treat before bed. Pick up a few toys that are reserved only for when you have a babysitter, like a board game or coloring book. Maybe even rent a much anticipated movie and leave out some microwaveable popcorn for a fun movie night.
What tools would you put in your babysitter’s “toolbox”?
Up tomorrow:
Weekend Chat: How do you Measure Success as a Parent?
The thought of leaving my child alone with a stranger in my home frightens me to no end, yet that is what many people do when they invite sitters into their home. Nobody can care for your child the way you do. Yet you need a break occasionally, so you need to find a nurturing care provider who measures up to your high standards. Finding the right babysitter to watch your child is very important and can take some time and effort on your part. By screening candidates, you can not only learn about potential babysitters, but get a chance to observe them with your child before you leave them alone in your home.
