Your baby sitter becomes a "surrogate parent" during your absence. He or she should be selected with care and prepared with explicit instructions. Before you entrust your most precious possession(s) to the care of a sitter, go over the following:

• Where you will be, how you can be reached, and when you will return.
• Important phone numbers: police, fire, poison control center, hospital, children's physician, ambulance. Post near the phone.
• The name and number of a nearby friend, neighbor, or relative.
• Rules about friends, T.V., stereo, telephone, outdoor play, snacks, sleeping. (Applies to child and sitter.)
• Warnings about not opening the door to strangers and hanging up immediately on crank callers.
• Proper response to callers.
• The location of first aid supplies, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, toys, clothing, snacks, and other items.
• Special instructions about such things as child's fears, bedtime routine, or family pets.
• Potential hazards like stairways, appliances, open doors or windows, purses or overnight cases.
• Rough or otherwise dangerous play is not to be tolerated.
• Young children should never be left unattended even while in a high chair, walker, or stroller.
• If absolutely necessary, leave explicit directions regarding medication or bathing procedures. (These activities require utmost care and should not be expected of sitters.)
  

Written by Donna Warner Manczak, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Instructions for Baby Sitters

Baby-sitting for the _____________________________________________________

Emergency Number (Police/Fire) ___________________________________________

Doctor ________________________________________________________________

Neighbor ______________________________________________________________

Nearest Relative ________________________________________________________

Husband's Work ________________________________________________________

Wife's Work ___________________________________________________________

Electric Company _______________________________________________________

Gas Company __________________________________________________________

We will be at ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

If a crisis occurs, try to get in touch with us first.

Locks: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Lights: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Fire extinguisher (location): _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

What to do if there is a power failure: _______________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Visitors: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

What to do if the smoke detector goes off: ___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Message to give if someone calls: _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Use of fireplace _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Water crisis (location of main water valve): ___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Food _________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Other: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Written by E. Christophersen, Ph.D., author of "Baby Owner's Manual: What to Expect and How to Survive the First Year."