Guidelines for Babysitters
If you are like many parents, you'd like a break from taking care of your child but you might be hesitant to use babysitters. To help you make sure babysitters care for your child properly, you should establish basic guidelines. Develop basic guidelines for babysitters you hire, and you can enjoy your time away from the house without worrying about how things are going.
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Orientation
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Provide your babysitter with basic information about your child and his likes and dislikes. Explain any special medical conditions and what he is allergic to. Because taking the right medication is important, if your child takes medicine, let the babysitter know what the correct dosage is, when the dosage should be taken and other important information.
Take the babysitter on a tour of your home, letting her know where the child's room is and her play toys. Leave your cellphone number, and the numbers of emergency poison control and the police and fire departments.
Emergency Preparation
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If your house has an alarm system, instruct the babysitter how to turn on the system after you leave the house. Provide your cellphone number but also show the sitter where phone numbers are listed for the police, fire department and poison control center. If you have a fire extinguisher in the home, show the sitter where it is located.
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Rules
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Clearly spell out the rules of the house for the sitter. Inform her that it is not acceptable for strangers such as friends to come to the house. Also let the babysitter know that she needs to focus on her main task -- taking care of the baby. Tell her that, although it is OK to watch television and to do homework, the baby should be watched nearby. Also tell her that it is OK to make a phone call but it is not permissible for her to stay on the phone a long time talking to friends because this could distract her from taking care of the baby.
Tell the sitter what is off limits and may not be used by her, such as your personal computer and stereo equipment. When the baby is placed in her crib, the sitter should check on the child at least every 30 minutes to make sure the baby is safe and healthy.
Monitoring
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If you plan to be away from the baby more than a few hours, call your home periodically to make sure everything is OK. If the sitter knows you will be checking with her periodically, she will be more careful about following your instructions.
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References
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