Leaving DS and etc

[wildflower810]

I'm writing up instructions for the person we are leaving DS1 with while I'm in labor. We aren't 100% sure who he will be with since both of our top picks are out of town the week of my due date, though on different days. So it's a little bit of a fluid plan. Pick #1 has two kids, one really near DS1's age. She lives 5 minutes away. Pick #2's kid's are my age and she lives 30 minutes away. So one is in the trenches of childrearing, the other isn't! We have no local family. 

DS1 will be at their house (whoever "they" winds up being). I'm hoping he will be gone less than 24 hours... ideally like 12 hours at most. I've been in both their homes, as has DS1, and I'm very comfortable with him being there.

I've written out his basic schedule. Food preferences, allergies (none), our phone numbers. Included information about his pedi and even MIL's phone number (she's not local, but we trust her to make decisions if she needs to). The plan would be for H to be able to install DS1's car seat as we've asked both people to be able to come to us to pick him up. 

Anything I'm missing? Do I need to include a copy of DS1's insurance card? Am I over thinking this? We will send clothes/diapers/favorite comfort items, etc etc. I know that pick #1 would go ahead and boldly make a decision like "I'm taking him to urgent care" if he injured himself... not as sure about pick #2. H will theoretically be somewhat available to take emergency phone calls.

I'm more anxious about this than I thought, apparently. 

[shellbell]

I would include a copy of the insurance card plus a letter stating so-and-so is authorized to make whatever medical decisions until you can be reached.

You could also list dosage instructions for Tylenol or Motrin, if you give those things.

We are leaving an envelope with some cash -- probably around $50 to cover any expenses (gas, meals, parking, whatever). P

I tend to overthink these things as well, mostly to avoid thinking about other, bigger things.

[loves2shop4shoes]

I have no experience in this kind of thing (obviously) but that sounds like you've more than covered your bases. I think the probability of an emergency arising the exact second your husband is absolutely unavailable is probably extremely small.

I'd include a copy of your DS insurance card just in case, but I think you've covered your bases.

[flyinghorses6]

This is very thorough. I think you've got your bases covered. I would just make sure you have your cell phone on ring at all times. That would eliminate a lot of these worries.

[wildflower810]

Jan 24, 2017 17:40:00 GMT -5 loves2shop4shoes said:

I have no experience in this kind of thing (obviously) but that sounds like you've more than covered your bases. I think the probability of an emergency arising the exact second your husband is absolutely unavailable is probably extremely small.

I'd include a copy of your DS insurance card just in case, but I think you've covered your bases.

That's where I'm at. Unless I'm pushing, H can answer his phone. I pushed for 12 minutes with DS1. 

[musicallyinclined]

Sounds good to me. My mom is watching DS and she is on his "authorized care giver" sheet at the pediatrician's office, but we are leaving an insurance card just in case.
I'll probably leave dosages for meds he might need too, like shellbell said.
And because we are in the throws of tantrums, I am leaving a list of how we handle time-outs, and trantrums. Mostly because my parents and I differ greatly on this.

[musicallyinclined]

Adding that H and I are both guilty of overthinking everything and over planning everything.

[shellbell]

DS does not tantrum for my parents. It's....really something.

[wildflower810]

Jan 24, 2017 17:58:09 GMT -5 shellbell said:

DS does not tantrum for my parents. It's....really something.

Grandma magic! We experience it here, too.

[shellbell]

Jan 24, 2017 17:59:53 GMT -5 wildflower810 said:

Jan 24, 2017 17:58:09 GMT -5 shellbell said:

DS does not tantrum for my parents. It's....really something.

Grandma magic! We experience it here, too.

Followed by nana hangover and all the tantrums.

[musicallyinclined]

Jan 24, 2017 18:00:41 GMT -5 shellbell said:

Jan 24, 2017 17:59:53 GMT -5 wildflower810 said:

Grandma magic! We experience it here, too.

Followed by nana hangover and all the tantrums.

I doubt he will tantrum for my mom, he usually acts like a dream for her. And oh yes the grandma hangover is realllll.

[Deleted]

Give DS's pedi a call and check what their protocol is in the worst case scenario caregiver needs to take him for treatment. My pedi had a form I filled out and put in my diaper bag for my parents when they watched LO for us. It was actually good for a year.

[shawnabm1320]

So, piggy backing off this, how in detail are your plans for people? My ILs are staying at our house so that he can sleep in his own crib and have some semblance of his normal routine - probably more for me than for him (haha!). Is it crazy if I write down some foods he likes to eat, his detailed bedtime routine, his rough schedule throughout the day? Is that insulting, should I just let them do their thing?

This makes me so nervous.

[shellbell]

shawnabm1320 I think that depends on how familiar your ILs are with DS and your home. My parents will be here with DS, and they're very familiar with his schedule, his preferences, and where things are. DS is also able to show where things are. I'm also planning on DH coming home during the day to spend some time with DS, so he can help if there are any questions. So I'm not really leaving anything like that.

If a babysitter or someone less familiar was staying here, I would be writing down all the things.

[EmMilAlly]

shawnabm1320 I made a schedule for DS that is so insanely detailed it's probably insulting but my mom doesn't mind. I have everything listed down in 15 minute increments for the time he's not in daycare down to the food he likes, to the setting on his noise, machine, to the specific Cubs sippy cup he keeps in his crib that doesn't spill water everywhere. It was like therapy for me to write it, and while I don't expect it to be followed, if things start going off the rails my mom can use it. Also, I would otherwise be sending non-stop texts if I hadn't gotten that all out on paper. So, yeah, I went nuts with the instructions but it was more for my benefit.

[wildflower810]

shawnabm1320, this is what I've written.

"Wake up, anywhere between 7 and 8:30 am.
Lunch at 12, nap at 12:30. He will sleep until 3:00 to 4:00, usually.
Bedtime at 7:30 pm.

Bedtime routine is diaper, jammies, teeth brushed, then bed. Story and/or bath optional.

He does have flexibility with nap and bedtime, though he’s known to wake up extra early in the morning after going to bed later. Go figure."

If he's with person #1, she's right there with her own toddler so she can figure things out. Person #2 might feel a little out of depth, but she will manage, and she loves DS1 to pieces. DS1 is also very verbal and capable of saying things like "want binkies!" or "blue blanket?" so he's not going to go without a necessity in his mind.