How to Leave Instructions for Babysitters When Going Out of Town

One of the most difficult things about leaving town as parents, is leaving your children in the care of others. Your mind will rest easier knowing you have let a good set of instructions for your babysitters.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Create a document on your computer and title it 'Out of Town Instructions' or something similar that you'll remember. This will make creating instructions for future trips easier, as you'll just need to update the set of instructions you're getting ready to create. Here is the information that you'll need to include:

2. - Your travel information -
   
   This includes airline reservations and flight numbers/time. Also include the name, address, and phone number of any hotels you'll be staying in.

3. - Kids' health information -
   
   Are the kids on any medications? Do they have any illnesses?

4. - Authorization for medical treatment -
   
   Leave a notarized consent giving your sitters the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of the children.

5. - Dietary information -
   
   Are the kids on any special diets? Are there any restrictions? For small children: how much and how often are they fed?

6. - Kids' activities -
   
   Be sure to include details on school schedules as well as after-school activities. If the sitters will be driving your children to any scheduled events, include directions.

7. - House rules and routines -
   
   For small children this might include things like naptimes, bedtimes, and how much TV they can watch. For older children it will include curfews and driving rules.

8. - List of helpful phone numbers -
   
   Leave a list of numbers for the doctors and dentists. Also leave school numbers (including an attendance number in case your children become sick) and a list of helpful friends or neighbors the sitters can call on in a pinch.

9. - Pet info -
   
   If the babysitters will also be caring for your pets, make sure to leave detailed instructions and the vet's phone number.

10. - House info -
    
    If the babysitters will be staying at your house, leave helpful information such as which day is trash day, mail info, etc.

Resources

• Organization @ The Family CEO

[Melanierose]

on 7/27/2008 Very helpful article thank you!

[Hapworth]

on 7/24/2008 This is wonderful!

[02SmithA]

on 7/23/2008 I have heard plenty of stories about those who don't leave good instructions when leaving town. Thats certainly not fair to the sitter. 5 stars.