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How To Choose A Good Babysitter - 2

...- Tell the sitter whether they are allowed to answer the phone or use the phone. Explain how you want messages taken and what they should tell the calling party.

Make sure your expectations are very clear. Don't be vague and leave the sitter unsure. Be specific about friends over, using the phone, and taking the children out.

You also need to cover some general safety rules with the babysitter.

- Leave specific instructions about medication and let the sitter know what medications they are allowed to administer without your previous consent, if any.

- Instruct the sitter not to leave your child alone even for a minute.

- Remind them of the dangers of water including the dangers of a bathtub where a child can drown in only a few inches of water.

- If your children are very young make sure the sitter understands about cutting food small and what foods or items can cause a choking hazard. Make sure the sitter understands the dangers of nuts, popcorn, and even raw carrots.

- Remind the sitter of hazards such as plastic bags, balloons, stairs, and a hot stove.

You should also leave a phone list with the sitter. The phone list should include:

- Where you can be reached

- Your cell phone number if you have one

- Poison Center, Police, Fire, and Ambulance

- Phone numbers of friends, neighbors, or family members that can help in an emergency

- Make sure the list also has your home address and phone number. In an emergency a babysitter may become flustered and forget.

When you return talk to your kids in a conversational way about their time with the babysitter. Let them tell you all about it! What they did, what the sitter did, if she was fun but firm, if she was mean. Your child account of the time will let you know if this is a sitter you can continue to use, if you have to cover some things but it's looking promising, or if you need to look for someone else.

Your babysitter is an extension of you, so be sure to take time and choose a good one. If your children are safe and happy you can relax and do what you need to do.

Your kids will be glad once they are grown that you used the information and resources available to you while they were little. They will know that you did your best with their childcare, and be very appreciative of it as well. You will be glad that you learned more about babysitter.

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