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Tipsand Hints on What to Do Before You Leave!

ByAnne Van ThyneOwnerKids Klues

Leaving your children with ababysitter can be an anxious time. Moreoften than not, the babysitter arrives just a few minutes before you areleaving. Does this sound familiar?

You are rushing round getting readywhile shouting instructions to the sitter. You quickly jot down the number where you can be reached and tell her tocall if she has any questions. Yougrab your cell phone and rush out the door to your meeting. On the way there you remember things you wished youd told thebabysitter. Like what to do if thebaby cries when you are pulling away in the car, or what kind of snacks thechildren are allowed, or maybe you forgot to mention that a friend was droppingoff some notes from a meeting you missed. Youtry to concentrate on your meeting, but you are distracted by that naggingfeeling that you forgot to mention something.

Tomake the time away from your children more worry free and productive aspossible. Follow these simplesteps.

1. Have your babysitter arrive 15-30 minutesprior to when you are to leave. Thiswill give you time to get the children comfortable.

2. Review with your babysitter an alreadyprepared organizer on the care of your children. The organizer should include information on emergency and medicalpersonnel names and phone numbers, what to do in case of emergencies, how youare to be contacted and if there are any special needs of the children. Its best if the organizer contains personal information on theindividual child, like how to comfort the child, what the child likes to eat orhow to entertain the child. This will better help the sitter to care for the child.

3. Show the sitter where to find the keys tothe house. Identify which key workswhich door. Review the operation ofthe alarm if you have one. Give thesitter the password in case the alarm goes off accidentally.

4. Show the sitter where the flashlight, firstaid kit, medical supplies, fire extinguisher, circuit breakers and watershut-off valve are located. Householdemergencies can occur anytime.

5. Show the sitter how to operate gates or anyother baby products. Demonstratehow to fold and unfold the stroller or how to work the car seats.

6. Review any special procedures for operatingany of your home appliances. Isthere a special way to operate the microwave?

7. Describe the childrens expected behaviorand what to do when you actually leave. Shouldthe sitter let the children cry or should she comfort them, give them a pacifieror a blanket, or should she call if the baby will not settle down after acertain period of time.

When leaving yourchildren with a babysitter, even if it is your mother, try and follow the sameroutine every time. This iscomforting to the children, the babysitter and the parent.

KidsKlues TM

isa personalized guide for your babysitter.

CallToll Free 877-KID-KLUE

orvisit our website at www.kidsklues.com