As a new parent, you might feel that you will never be able to get out of the house again. However, you can leave your child with a babysitter if you want to enjoy a meal with your significant other or if you just need some time to yourself. Before leaving your child with a sitter, there are some things you can do to make the process easier on both the child and yourself.

Numbers

Make a list of important phone numbers that the sitter might need. Leave your cell phone number as as the first, as well as the number to where you will be. The expert pediatricians in Spring, TX recommend always leaving your child’s healthcare professionals number as well, in case of emergency.

Locations

Talk to the sitter about where you will be and where to go in the event of an emergency. Give the address of the nearest relatives as well as where friends in the neighborhood live in case the sitter needs to leave the home early due to an emergency. Other addresses might include the nearest hospital or doctor’s office.

Also, give your friends and family a heads up if they are on that list. Then they will know to keep their phones on them as well in case of an emergency.

Someone Comforting

Your child will probably feel better if there is a familiar face left behind when you leave. Try to find someone in the family or a friend who comes over to the home on a regular basis to watch the child. This will make you feel better because you know the person who is caring for the child, and the child will already know the touch and scent of the person at the home.

Rules

Every sitter needs a list of rules for the home. If you don’t want the sitter to go outside with the child or be on the phone while you are gone, then the sitter needs to know. Don’t anticipate the sitter to discipline the child as the sitter is only there to make sure the child is safe and has an enjoyable time while you are gone. Let the sitter know where the food is if you plan on being gone during a meal time.

Don’t Take Advantage

Even though you have some time to yourself, don’t stay out past the time that you tell the sitter you will be home. Try not to call the sitter every night to babysit because the sitter has a life as well.

Whether you need someone to watch your child while you work or when you want to go out with friends, there needs to be rules for the sitter you use. Try to get someone close to the child to babysit, and if not, then check the qualifications of the sitter before hiring that person to watch the child. Leave important numbers where they can be seen for emergencies.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who want to be comfortable using a babysitter.