The Saturday Sitch

MIA-D · 08-02-2008, 09:19 AM

In order to fasciliate more discussion about the board the staff are instituting some weekly discussions.

Here's ours for this board for this week

What is on your daycare/babysitter list of important things to know? You know the stuff before you go racing out the door all hyped up on birth adrenaline.

MIA-D · 08-02-2008, 09:26 AM

My babysitters are family so they have all the important family members numbers.

so topping off my list is - Is homework done or not and who still needs to do what.

AussieDoula · 08-02-2008, 09:40 AM

I don't leave DC in the care of anyone but my DP, so my list usually includes a quick run-down of any chores/errands/activities for the next two days, which birth center or hospital I'll be at (unless client is birthing at home), a reminder to leave a message on my cell if it's not an emergency (in which case DP would call the hospital or birth center directly), and where food is, LOL!

dorothyh · 08-02-2008, 01:50 PM

A rundown of who has to be where and at what time.

That's about it!!

DoulaKaren · 08-02-2008, 02:46 PM

When it's my husband, where the food is and just asking that it doesn't look like someone released a box full of angry howler monkeys in my living room by the time I get home.

When I drop them off at daycare (my 3 year old goes to preschool 3 days a week there but it's not a full day), I remind them about DD's wonky nursemaid's elbow and that the kids are vegetarian.

I am pretty relaxed about babysitters... probably because they are so few and far between that I'm desperate by the time I get one! My rules are, no meat, don't dislocate her elbow, call me if someone's on fire.

1stimestar · 08-02-2008, 02:58 PM

My 9 year old requires that you actually talk to him. Do not touch my computer. Dig around to find something to feed them, it will require cooking.

doula Michele · 08-02-2008, 03:54 PM

I pretty much just leave. I generally assume my husband and adult son can figure things out for themselves. I do grab my daytimer in case i need to call and cancel an appointment.

helpinghands · 08-02-2008, 06:31 PM

DH is usually the caregiver and is somewhat familiar with routines obviously, but I still feel the need to go over basic routine, easy meals to make that I have usually set in a very obvious place in the cupboard or fridge, etc. (He usually does his own thing anyways but I feel better doing this...then he can't blame me if there is a mess when I get home, LOL). He doesn't do too bad either.

When it is MIL, the older kids do a pretty good job at letting her know what our routine is..but generally she does a good job and I feel like I don't want to be too picky; just thankful I can find someone I can trust to do last minute childcare if the need arises. I trust her judgement.

AussieDoula · 08-02-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

My 9 year old requires that you actually talk to him.

I'm always saying almost the exact same thing to my DP: "Watching DC actually requires that you use your eyes."

joanna_b · 08-03-2008, 03:17 PM

My kids have their own set of issues so my list is much more comprehensive than most. A small sampling would be:

rice milk is for the little one, soy milk is for the big one. don't confuse this or you will hate your life because the little one will be up all night screaming.
little one naps at 10, big one naps at noon, little one is up at 12:30, big one is up at 3, little one goes down again at 3:30. I'll pay you $5 extra if you can get them to sleep and stay asleep at the same time.
bedtime is at 8, but it's doubtful they will be in bed before 9. I'll give you $20 extra if you can get them in bed and asleep by 8:30.
don't feed the little one anything with diary, soy, wheat, eggs, beef or citrus.
they both love the fruit leather in the bag and can have as much as they want. If you tell them it's fruit, I will take $20 off your pay. They think it's candy and I'd like to keep them thinking that for another 3 or 4 years.
you will probably have to watch Cars the Movie at least 17 times while I'm gone.
Your best bribe is stickers but beware because the little one will eat them and the big one will put them on everything, including the little one's hair and that is never fun.
Good luck and try to have fun. When in doubt, throw some food at them and turn on a movie.

MIA-D · 08-03-2008, 11:50 PM

Whew! I think I am glad I am not your babysitter

I also leave a list of where things are going on and at what time. Usually more than one copy - one for the fridge, one for DH in case he isn't the main babysitter. I don't know what men would do if they had to do without us minding the fort.

DoulaYvonne · 08-07-2008, 03:47 PM

My dc are taken care of by either my Dh or MIL, so I expect that neither will need a lot of coaching.

DH usually asks about feeding them. It's funny, though, because he never normally worries about that when I'm around, he does just fine.
I will give him an update on schedules and lessons for the day. Even after a full school year of the same routine, he still doesn't remember.

MIL usually doesn't ask many questions.

Also, as I'm driving into the hospital, I will call to see if there are any other questions and just remind them not to call me and if someone leaves a message don't expect that I'll get right back to you.

1stimestar · 08-10-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joanna_b

My kids have their own set of issues so my list is much more comprehensive than most. A small sampling would be:

rice milk is for the little one, soy milk is for the big one. don't confuse this or you will hate your life because the little one will be up all night screaming.
little one naps at 10, big one naps at noon, little one is up at 12:30, big one is up at 3, little one goes down again at 3:30. I'll pay you $5 extra if you can get them to sleep and stay asleep at the same time.
bedtime is at 8, but it's doubtful they will be in bed before 9. I'll give you $20 extra if you can get them in bed and asleep by 8:30.
don't feed the little one anything with diary, soy, wheat, eggs, beef or citrus.
they both love the fruit leather in the bag and can have as much as they want. If you tell them it's fruit, I will take $20 off your pay. They think it's candy and I'd like to keep them thinking that for another 3 or 4 years.
you will probably have to watch Cars the Movie at least 17 times while I'm gone.
Your best bribe is stickers but beware because the little one will eat them and the big one will put them on everything, including the little one's hair and that is never fun.
Good luck and try to have fun. When in doubt, throw some food at them and turn on a movie.

Hahahaha too funny.