Help me with the Babysitter life

[milano]

We have our first non-family babysitter coming to stay with the kids tomorrow while MH & I go out for some adult time. We met her a couple days ago, she is super sweet (and vaccinated, YAY) and the kids are cautiously excited about this new chapter in life.

What do I need to do to prepare? She will be here with them from like 3-10p, so through dinner and bedtime. I am not going to have her even attempt actually putting them to bed because M will freak out, so I am just going to have her put them in their pj's around bedtime and watch a movie in the living room until we get home (maybe they'll fall asleep...HA). She is happy to cook so was thinking of leaving out simple stuff like maybe spaghetti & frozen meatballs? I want her to be able to eat a decent meal too.

Do I make a list of things for to reference? We dont have a lot of strict rules or anything so I'm not sure what I would even put on a list. She will have both our phone numbers. I gave her a rundown on the dogs but will jot a few relevant things down regarding their feeding and pottying. We will only be like 20 minutes away.

I am sure I am overthinking. But new experiences always jack up my anxiety and then they almost always end up being totally fine. We hope to continue using her regularly so I want this to be a good start to our hopeful "relationship".

[ovenrack]

When I have a sitter, I usually (maybe? It seems like so long ago, LOL) make a general schedule.

I explain that it doesn’t need to followed! But it’s a good guide in case it’s 4:30 and she doesn’t understand why the kids are starving, if they usually eat at 5 (and refused snack at 3pm because you were leaving).

I also like to list a few anti-meltdown activities. Filling the water table, getting out the play doh, making mud pies, melting ice cubes in water, read-aloud, etc. Whatever your kids love that doesn’t make them fight.

My sometimes-trick is buying a special after-dinner treat (legit treat or semi-special thing) that the babysitter can break out to end the evening well.

Yay adult time! So fun! I need to prioritize that.

[sarenu]

Just let her know basics:

Do the kids have allergies, or certain things they shouldn’t eat? Won’t eat?

Are they allowed snacks with the movie? Juice/water? (Mine will ask)

Where tooth bushes are and pjs.


For dinner we order door dash from a burger place or pizza ahead of time. And ask what the sitter would like.

[tj]

I also like to write down a basic schedule. Snack at 4 (list a few options) dinner at 6 (we usually do pizza or Mac and cheese Bc my kids don’t get those often) bath and pjs at 8, watch movie till we arrive at 10. And definitely a guideline for what to do with pets, and a backup plan for where to put a pet if they are making life hard for her.

I like to do a quick walk-through of the house. Kids LOVE to show off their rooms. Make sure she knows which bathroom she can use, and if there are any places that are off-limits to get, pets, or kids.

I mention a few activities such as board games or books, I see if she knows how to use the tv/remotes, talk about a few of the kids likes and dislikes, then ask if she has any questions. If cooking, I always set out everything she will need Bc who ever knows where the colander is at today? Ask to put dishes in sink or dishwasher or whatever. And make sure she knows that she can text me at absolutely any time.

I also always say that if they have questions, E knows the answer. She knows everything and will tell the truth. But never trust P Bc she is sneaky lol.

I’m so excited for you - have fun!!

[charlotte]

Yay! I hope you and YH have a great time.

Since J is old enough to show her where everything is and probably answer any questions, I bet she’ll be just fine! A paper with a loose schedule is probably all you need to leave.

If you have any toys in the attic that the kids haven’t seen in a while, it would be good to get those out when she arrives to keep them extra entertained. Or outdoor activities like OR mentioned.

I frequently order pizza for the sitter & kids but your idea sounds easy and yummy.

[milano]

Update : we ordered pizza and the kids had a great time and are all in on future babysitters so I'm thrilled. Thanks for all your input!

We had an AMAZING time out with our neighbors, went to 4 different outdoor bars/restaurants for a cancer fundraising event and ended with dinner on the beach.

[tj]

I love it Alyssa! I’m so happy for you.

[snowmoon]

That’s awesome milano! I am thrilled for you.