Checklist for older child(ren) while in hospital

[mc13]

I'm working on a list of things to leave for my parents while they watch DD1 at our apartment when I'm in the hospital. They've only been here once since we moved in May and can never figure out their GPS on their phones so I have to be specific. Lol

What would you put? Also, what food would you make sure to leave in the house?

List:
Directions to and from the hospital, Target, and grocery store
Walking directions to the two parks near our house
Set out art supplies/pool play stuff - basically everything I keep out of her reach on regular days
Wifi password and how to work the iPad to Chromecast Curious George/other cartoons to the tv

Food:
Snacks
Milk
Eggs
Bread
Chicken nuggets
Hot dogs
Lunch meat and sliced cheese
Fruit - apples and bananas

[annapunkalunka]

Naptime/bedtime routines, maybe?
We're fortunate to live close enough that my parents will have her a lot... She may go to daycare and DH will come home and spend the nights with her so she's not completely thrown off. It all depends on the timing of my labor.

[beckyrosen]

Ummm, DS and DD will be with my parents, and all I really thought of is making sure that the carseat is correctly installed in their car. And I'll send DD's bedding and new jammies. I figured my mom can handle food and other stuff for DD, and since DS is 13 I figure he can figure his own stuff out.

[mc13]

Jul 28, 2016 19:42:45 GMT -5 beckyrosen said:

Ummm, DS and DD will be with my parents, and all I really thought of is making sure that the carseat is correctly installed in their car. And I'll send DD's bedding and new jammies. I figured my mom can handle food and other stuff for DD, and since DS is 13 I figure he can figure his own stuff out.

I didn't even think about the car seat! haha We do live in a very walkable town but I guess they will need it in case they go anywhere with her/bring her to the hospital to visit.

If we lived near them, I wouldn't be so worried. We live 6 hours from them and DD is only 18 months old so I feel like I really need to plan/organize for them since she's at a tough age and they don't know our town at all.

[beckyrosen]

Jul 28, 2016 20:13:00 GMT -5 mc13 said:

Jul 28, 2016 19:42:45 GMT -5 beckyrosen said:

Ummm, DS and DD will be with my parents, and all I really thought of is making sure that the carseat is correctly installed in their car. And I'll send DD's bedding and new jammies. I figured my mom can handle food and other stuff for DD, and since DS is 13 I figure he can figure his own stuff out.

I didn't even think about the car seat! haha We do live in a very walkable town but I guess they will need it in case they go anywhere with her/bring her to the hospital to visit.

If we lived near them, I wouldn't be so worried. We live 6 hours from them and DD is only 18 months old so I feel like I really need to plan/organize for them since she's at a tough age and they don't know our town at all.

Yea, the distance would make it hard. My parents live maybe 15 minutes from me (and the hospital is right around the corner from my home) my mom watches DD whenever I have an appointment and need a sitter. So they have some routines when she's with them. The only thing I worry about is that DD has never been away from me overnight. At least she'll have her big brother with her, but I just hope she isn't too emotional about being away from me for so long.

And, I just realized that I should send the baby gate too. The bedrooms are upstairs and I don't want her falling down the stairs if she wakes in the middle of the night.

[merryrissmas]

Does she have a lovey or special blanket/toy she sleeps with, or likes to have around when she's upset etc?

Maybe a photo of you and DH she can hold/look at in case she misses you?

Special outfit or shirt to wear to the hospital, if you're doing that.

I would leave a pretty detailed description of your daily routine to help your parents keep her days as normal as possible, especially for a toddler that age.
ETA: maybe leave a list of pediatrician's number, info for contacting a neighbor or backup person if they need help, details of any allergies, etc in case of emergency.

I need to make a list for my kids too so I know I'm forgetting things right now

[Deleted]

My in laws live next door, so the routine wont be disrupted. Dh will come home at night (if needed)

[caz1221]

Ditto the car seat - make sure it's properly installed and that your parents know how to properly strap her in (show them if you haven't already and then have them show you). Instead of (or in addition to) a list of where everything is, would it be helpful to put post-its on your kitchen cabinets and/or other key storage areas (toy bins/drawers, dresser drawers) indicating what's in each of them? You could also print out a map of your area and mark key places (rather than writing walking directions). In order to avoid as much food prep for them as possible, you could make meals in advance and freeze individual portions for them to thaw/heat up. My crock pot is going to be working overtime starting in mid-August both for post-baby meals and so my parents don't have to worry about what to feed DD while I'm in the hospital.

Other than pre-making food, I'll probably just ask my parents what information they need/would like. They only live ~30 minutes away and see DD almost every weekend (and also babysit periodically), so they're pretty familiar with the routine. It also helps that DD is almost 3 and can tell them what she needs, where things are kept in the house, etc.

[mc13]

Jul 29, 2016 10:49:42 GMT -5 caz1221 said:

Ditto the car seat - make sure it's properly installed and that your parents know how to properly strap her in (show them if you haven't already and then have them show you). Instead of (or in addition to) a list of where everything is, would it be helpful to put post-its on your kitchen cabinets and/or other key storage areas (toy bins/drawers, dresser drawers) indicating what's in each of them? You could also print out a map of your area and mark key places (rather than writing walking directions). In order to avoid as much food prep for them as possible, you could make meals in advance and freeze individual portions for them to thaw/heat up. My crock pot is going to be working overtime starting in mid-August both for post-baby meals and so my parents don't have to worry about what to feed DD while I'm in the hospital.

Other than pre-making food, I'll probably just ask my parents what information they need/would like. They only live ~30 minutes away and see DD almost every weekend (and also babysit periodically), so they're pretty familiar with the routine. It also helps that DD is almost 3 and can tell them what she needs, where things are kept in the house, etc.

Post its is a great idea!! And same with printing a map with marked locations. Good ideas. Thank you!

[cbowl]

I am also leaving (always leave) a copy of our insurance card and a consent letter allowing my parents to seek medical treatment for my daughter. I know it's far fetched but better to have in case of emergency.

[jennybeans]

Jul 29, 2016 16:04:05 GMT -5 cbowl said:

I am also leaving (always leave) a copy of our insurance card and a consent letter allowing my parents to seek medical treatment for my daughter. I know it's far fetched but better to have in case of emergency.

This is smart! We have an emergency binder at home with copies of info but I hadn't even thought to send it with DS and my parents while we are in the hospital since they will be about an hour from us.

[kerbear]

I prepped 3 page instructions for literally everything:
where clothes are located
meal ideas and tentative times for meals, snacks, naps, etc.
Bedtime routine
Instructions for feeding the dog
Wifi password (thanks for the idea!) along with cell #s, pediatrician info, where meds are located, hospital addy
Daycare pickup instructions

I am type A

[mc13]

Aug 2, 2016 7:40:15 GMT -5 kerbear said:

I prepped 3 page instructions for literally everything:
where clothes are located
meal ideas and tentative times for meals, snacks, naps, etc.
Bedtime routine
Instructions for feeding the dog
Wifi password (thanks for the idea!) along with cell #s, pediatrician info, where meds are located, hospital addy
Daycare pickup instructions

I am type A

I'm totally type A too and this will be the first time R is without me for more than a few hours. I'm sure my parents will think I'm crazy, but I'd rather be extra prepared than them need something and not know how/where to get it.