Babysitter Guidelines - Babysitting Tips

If you have children, chances are at some point you are going to either want or need to hire a babysitter. You can’t be with your children 100% of the time, even though you might want to or think you can. So for the times when you have to rely on someone else to care for your children, you need to have a solid plan in place.

If you have already paid someone to babysit your children before, did you set forth clear guidelines for them? Did you give them your expectations? If not, this is something you should give great consideration to. Your children are the most precious things in your life. Why take chances on their well-being?

Take these sample babysitting rules and use them to create your own. Or make them your own and add to them as necessary.

Sample Guidelines For Your Next Babysitter

Rule #1: Lock the doors. Keep the doors locked at all times. If you are not expecting company, inform your babysitter that no one should be allowed in the house.

Rule #2: No friends are allowed to visit, under any circumstances. Teenagers are especially prone to inviting friends over if they think they can get away with it. Make it clear that you do not want any group of friends over.

Rule #3: Telephone and computer are off limits. This rule might seem a bit harsh, but knowing that your babysitter is alert and focused on your children is much more important. Don’t take the chance of your babysitter zoning out on the Internet or holding a three-hour conversation while you’re trying to check in.

• Know where emergency exits are located.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on the refrigerator.
• Ask if the children have any known allergies.
• Plan fun games to keep the children busy.