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It is not always possible that you can work and take care of kids at the same time. There are only so many hours that you can spare and so much you can work, before you burn out.

This is where babysitters come into the picture. A babysitter can help working families immensely, as they help to take care of the children while the parents are out at work.

While this might be a great thing, there are also concerns that need to be addressed when dealing with a baby sitter. One of the most important happens to be that of making checklists for the babysitter.

The work might seem simple enough, but then again, it may only be simple to you while being a real nightmare to the babysitter. This is where a checklist can come in handy. A checklist here is in simple words, one of the many things that have to be done for the children, while the parents are out.

Remember that these are very important, for the checklist to be effective for the babysitter to perform the way parents would expect. Some of the most important considerations for the same are given below:

Contact Details of Parents

Babysitters need a reference to the contact details of the mother and father. In other cases, the number could be that of a guardian.

Important Emergency Numbers of Relatives & Friends.

This is another set of contact numbers, this is pertaining to that of relatives and friends, who are very close to the family.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Babysitters need emergency contact details here include the numbers of firefighters, police and medical agencies.

In addition to this, the list should also contain information about your children’s pediatrician and other personal medical professionals.

Power Outage Guidelines

These are the guidelines that dictate the emergency measures to take, if there is a power outage.

From the location of a torch or candle to the number of the electricity companies, all of it should be mentioned here.

Landline Location

The landline phone, while seemingly unused in the age of smartphones, still has a role in communications.

While most people tend to keep it in a fairly obvious and open place, there are households that keep it tucked away in a corner. If you happen to have done that, ensure that you specify the exact location of the landline phone.

Food Information

The information to be specified here is with regard to the children’s general diet, such as meal timings, food preferences, location of utensils, baby formula details, etc.

Allergen Information

This has been mentioned separately because allergies can often prove to be serious, especially in the case of children.

Make sure that you specify if your children are allergic to any food items and mention it clearly in the list. If you are not sure about the same, have it tested out by your local pediatrician.

Medication Information

The medical information here is with regard to the medical history of the child.

Also, the information should explain in detail any medications that are to be given, the dosage of the medication, its timings, relationship with meal-time (i.e. before or after a meal), etc.

Toy Guidelines

Babysitters need to know that children will have a whole bunch of different toys. But not all are on its favorite list.

On the contrary, there will always be some toys that are preferred over others. This is something that must be specified.

In addition to this, do mention choking hazard warnings for the necessary toys, as kids tend to chew and swallow almost anything they can get their hands on.

Rule Book

These may include and explicitly mention what a child is and isn’t allowed to do.

Punishment and Disciplinary Action Details

This is a continuation of the previous point.

If in case there are any misbehavior issues by the child, it is important that the specific action be specified to remedy the bad behavior.

Whether it is timeouts or taking away privileges, the exact details are to be mentioned.

First Aid Kit Details

Accidents do happen at times. If and when they do, it is important that one has the necessary tools and supplies to deal with the same.

Therefore, mention clearly the location of the first aid box, as well as anything else that might be related to it.

This is something that must be included, so as to ensure that minor first aid issues are addressed properly.

Included here are solutions for everything from cuts and scratches to burns and even performing CPR. All of these details must be mentioned clearly.

It would be a good idea to include a book on first aid in the first aid kit.

Feeding Time

In addition to this, the exact details of meals are to be mentioned as well, such as the food quantity for each meal, and foods that are to be avoided, etc.

Bedtime and Routines

A bed time routine is something that a child is not supposed to miss out on.

But then again, this is something they love to escape every single time, if they are permitted. It should be ensured that they go to bed at the right time, every time.

Also mentioned in the list should be the bedtime routines like a child’s favorite story book, toy, blanket, etc.

Television Restrictions

There must be a restriction on screen time when it comes to kids.

The exact restrictions of the same are to be mentioned in the list. These include permitted channels; permitted shows, number of hours allowed in front of the TV, and etc.

Outdoors Information & Places of Interest

If your babysitter is supposed to be taking your children out, this will come in handy.

The first thing to add here would be the choice of clothing and other accessories that a child would be wearing when stepping out.

The second one would be that of ‘places of interest’, that the child can be taken to.

Other Items in the List

There are other instructions in the list that can be added here as well.

Some of them are,

Not leaving the baby unattended for any reason.

Not giving the baby food not specified in the list.

To place babies on his or her back, so as to reduce the possible risk of SIDS.

Avoiding to give babies food like honey, as they tend to cause botulism poisoning.

In all, preparing a checklist for a babysitter or babysitters can be one of the most useful things that you could ever do.

Not only will it help the babysitter to organize childcare issues better, but it will also give you a peace of mind that all major concerns about your children have been addressed.

So, the next time you plan on hiring a babysitter, make sure to create a checklist for them. It will prove to be of immense help to both of you.

– Babysitters of Atlanta with Nannies & Kids United!

—-> https://nanniesandkidsunited.com/newborn-care-specialists/