Eight Things Your Sitter Should Know

ParentingListBabysittersCaretakers

7 Comments

I LOVE this list! I've been babysitting for many, many years and nannying for 5. These are things that can be immensely helpful for a sitter and put the parents minds at ease while they're out. I've sat for 2 families that actually typed up the stuff about their kids so I had it on hand for a reference. It had their current weight, what medicines needed what doses for what ages (much faster than having to read the little writing on the medicine bottles), average times they do certain activities (eat, play go down, etc.), bedtime routine, their address, any contact number I might need, likes and dislikes (for things from food to toys to shows), their quirks at the time, etc. This made things MUCH less frustrating when the children were out of sorts and I was able to soothe them faster when needed.
I've been a nanny for over 20 years. All these tips are great, and totally necessary. I've always encouraged parents to make a folder with all this info and keep it in a kitchen drawer near the phone. Once it's made, you need only to check it periodically and update as necessary. I speak from experience--your sitter WILL need that medical release form at some time, and the minutes saved if she has it in hand can be invaluable in a time of crisis. Having all this info helps your sitter do her job well, and it gives the parents peace of mind.
MissSushi MissSushi
It is a good list, and I second Advah.. most of the people I babysat for didn't give me ANYTHING. Even with all of my experience, i was left pretty stranded without contact information, schedules, likes, dislikes, and information needed about their kids. I even had one lady who didn't tell me her kid was asthmatic... I found out when he went into an attack in the backyard and had to scour the house to find his inhaler, which was on the dining room table lumped with schoolwork and misc items, and then figure out how to use it/get him to use it while he was panicking becuase it wasnt immediatly on his person or offered to him. Not something a 7 year old should deal with because his mom couldn't be bothered to prep me before leaving.
These don't fall under "just trust your sitter," these are just good things to let him/her know. The most trustworthy of sitters isn't going to know your contact numbers or the kids' little quirks off the top of his/her head, nor can they get medical attention without a release just because you trust them. It's a good list, and something that takes just a few minutes on your way out, making the parents', sitter's, and kids' nights all the more relaxing and smooth.
Advah Advah
Good list! I babysat a few times for a colleague of my mum's, and that info was SO helpful in looking after her two daughters. I mean, I still ended up calling my mum (it was my first time babysitting) at some point, but all that stuff saved me from seriously panicking. Knowing what would calm down the youngest when she woke up at 2am crying because their dog barked, to what book the oldest liked reading before going to bed.. Plus, I'm sure it makes the parents more relaxed, which probably helps them enjoy their night out!
Sarana Sarana
This is too much, come on! Just trust your babysitter and have a nice night out.
This is such a great list! Very helpful.
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Heidi Klum at Emmy Awards
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J Lo