Arm your sitter with this helpful, insider info so she’ll be ready for whatever happens in your absence.
- Approved snacks. Post a list of appropriate eats on the fridge, and show your sitter where to find them. When kids are hungry, no one’s happy.
- Clean expectations. Tell your sitter (and the kids) if you expect them to tidy up while you’re gone. Nothing ruins a romantic evening like coming home to a huge mess.
- Play-by-play. Unstructured time can be stressful. Leave a flexible schedule to help the sitter keep the kids busy.
- Pay plan. Be up front about money. Ask how much the sitter charges and/or explain how much you’ll pay. Going rates vary by location, number and ages of children, and the sitter’s level of experience.
- Tech specs. Establish screen-time rules and show the sitter how to operate electronics, so your toddler doesn’t have a tantrum when she can’t work the DVR.
- Secret soothers. Reveal your sure-fire tricks for comforting upset or overtired kids, including favorite songs, videos, books and blankets.
- Bedtime basics. Leave a step-by-step guide to your bedtime routine. Writing it down takes only a few minutes and may save your sitter hours of frustration.
- Hidden hazards. Alert your sitter to food allergies and other safety issues. These situations won’t be obvious unless you speak up.
- Discipline directions. Your sitter needs to know how to address bad behavior. Show her the time-out chair and toy jail.
- Contact info. Leave several contact numbers and tell your sitter whether it’s okay to call with questions. Most sitters won’t reach out unless parents give the okay.