leaving babies with babysitter for the first time

I interviewed a babysitter that comes very highly recommended. She's a senior in high school and has babysat for younger and older children. DH and I are overdue for a date. I'm hoping to have her over once a week. My parents had offered to babysit once a week and did a couple of times but they are elder and it just takes too much out of them. Also they are often sick so they can't be a steady solution.
Any tips on our first night with a babysitter? What do I need to tell her? What instructions do I leave?
Please help me with this. I'm trying to put my anxiety aside and see this as the simple thing it is and just go to a movie with dh and enjoy it! the better prepared I am the more relaxed I will be.

 

I would have her over for a couple of hours while you are there to let the kids get used to her before you go on the actual "date" night if you can. That way you are comfortable with her and the kids have seen her face before.

As for instructions I would leave your address and information, emergency numbers- neighbors, family, police, fire, poison control and a typical schedule of the kids routine. Be sure to show her where all the kids stuff is located- like pajamas, diapers, bottles, food, etc...

Oh and I would show her where a flashlight is- I know this sounds weird but twice when I was babysitting as a teenager the power went out and I had to search these peoples houses for candles and flashlights-- now I have one in the kitchen and make sure our babysitters know where it is!

Try not to stress too much so you can enjoy your night out.

 

Nicole gave you some good advice. When we used a babysitter other than family for my oldest DD, she was 4.5 and we have always just had family since the twins were born watch them, we had the babysitter over first so they could "play" for awhile and get to know each other.

We also made sure we were home before bedtime. This just made it easier on her and us and we weren't sure how our DD would be with someone else putting her to bed, other than family.

Have fun on your date.

 

Good for you for going out with your dh alone! My dh and I just started doing this and it is SO nice.

When we have a sitter we have her come around 6:30pm, after we have bathed the girls but before their bedtime. She gets them in their pjs, plays with them and reads to them while we finish getting ready, and she puts them to bed after we leave. We think this is better than leaving after they are asleep so if they wake up when we're gone they won't be freaked out by the babysitter. We plug in the baby monitor downstairs so the sitter will have it, we leave a written note on the counter with our cell numbers and where we will be, and that's it! We usually leave something for dinner or money to order in but she never eats anything. When we come home, we pay her ($10 an hour) and she goes home. It's really very easy! The girls love her because they know she's there to play with them. They like all the special attention from someone new, especially a teenage girl who gets on the floor and plays with them. Hope that helps, and have fun!

 

I write very organized lists and instructions. I have the sitter spend time w/ me & the kids before ever leaving them alone (usually on a seperate day). And try to leave quickly. Kids get anxious/confused if you linger with goodbyes. You might not enjoy the first few times (like me, worry kinda takes over the fun part until I get comfortable). But it IS worth it. And it's good for everyone to take a break.

 

Thanks so much for your great advise. I feel better already
Our plan was for her to come after the girls are sleeping at about 8Pm and really she won't have to do anything till we get back because they sleep through. I'm thinking though maybe having having her come earlier and be part of the bedtime routine. what do you think? it's so unlikely they would wake up and even know we're not here that i'm not sure it's worth it.

 

Ditto what everyone has said, a detailed schedule, emergency numbers and your cell number. Also make it clear that if ------ happens, you would like a phone call to come home, but if it's only ------ then don't bother (fill in the blanks yourself, everyone has their own comfort levels). Above all, enjoy date night...you deserve it!!! DH and I got called home from every night out we had until the girls were 2 and 1/2 years old, and this was with the grandparents babysitting. I hope you have better luck than we did :laughing:

 

Yes I agree that the babysitter should come over before naps so that if they wake up, they don't wake up to someone they've never seen before. Enjoy!

 

Hey let me just say I have no idea where that little emoticon sticking it's tongue out came from!! Sorry about that.
What I meant to write is that "after the girls are sleeping at about 8 and really she won't have to do anything till we get back"
Thanks for your posts.

 

Yeah, I agree to have her come about a 1/2 hour before their bedtime and let her do it or at least interact with them so they understand she is there to take care of them. I have left my girls before when they were already asleep and I didn't feel right about it. They would be scared if they woke up to a strange person there. It makes me feel better too because I can see how the sitter interacts with the girls and I know they feel comfortable with her. I hope that helps!

 

Most importantly, try to trust that even if things don't go exactly as they go when you and DH are home, it will be OK. I remember all the times I babysat infants and young toddlers when I was in high school, and I'm sure I didn't follow the regular nighttime routine to the letter (I may not have even known what it was), but the kids still wound up fed, diapered, and asleep.

Also, don't worry if they cry when you leave. Mine do that even if we leave them with my parents, but they are always fine as soon as our car is out of sight.

It's great that you may be able to have the same person every week! The kids will get really comfortable with her.

QUOTE
As for instructions I would leave your address and information, emergency numbers- neighbors, family, police, fire, poison control and a typical schedule of the kids routine. Be sure to show her where all the kids stuff is located- like pajamas, diapers, bottles, food, etc...

Oh and I would show her where a flashlight is- I know this sounds weird but twice when I was babysitting as a teenager the power went out and I had to search these peoples houses for candles and flashlights-- now I have one in the kitchen and make sure our babysitters know where it is!

Excellent advice.

The first couple of times that we had babysitters, I walked through the entire bedtime routine by myself before the sitter arrived, and made notes of everything I would need to tell her. For instance, which crib is which, if your kids are too young to tell her themselves! If there are any special loveys, make sure they're already in the cribs or she at least knows where to look for them.

As far as having her come after they're asleep -- we do this once a month with our neighbor. The girls never even know she is here. However, they do at least know her, so if they happened to wake up, they wouldn't be confronted with a total stranger. I agree that in your case, it might be best to have her come earlier and actually put them to bed.

(The wacky little emoticon happens if you type "8*p", but without the asterisk. Very weird! If you want to avoid it, you have to type "8:00 p.m.")

 

Just if you wanted to hear a babysitter's point of view, here is my opinion.


I agree with all of the PPs.

A few more things though. Make sure she knows where the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and flashlights are. Make sure she has your cell numbers and the numbers of some trusted neighbors in case of a big emergency. Thats about all I can think of. It should be an easy job if they are asleep for most of the time.

Also, if she will be using the TV after the babies are asleep, make sure she knows how to use it so she doesn't mess anything up (if she pushed a certain button she wasn't supposed to, sometimes it can mess up the whole system. Yes I have done this on my whole TV, dont remember how we fixed it though ).