Help me set babysitter expectations

[vitafelix]

I was basically a mother's helper in grad school. Older, but still only limited experience with babies. Don't try to give a ton of information. It will be overwhelming. Set examples. Play with them together with the sitter for 10ish mins and then tell her you're going to do whatever and if the kids freak out, to distract them. In our house 10 mins of playing is enough opportunity to model the kind of discipline we do and then point out what you did. Leave them alone and let them know where to find you if she has questions. Eavesdrop.

[vitafelix]

Also kids tend to behave a lot better for "strangers"

[vitafelix]

Jul 29, 2015 20:48:58 GMT -5 thatblondie said:

Jul 29, 2015 20:47:08 GMT -5 vitafelix said:

Also kids tend to behave a lot better for "strangers"

So true.

There's always the horror stories out there so it makes me wonder if I really need to say the specifics like, "say no, redirect him and never hit".

Depends on local culture, I think. I don't think it would be too outrageous to say that.

[vasc]

I've been known to tell sitters not to hit or shake DD (when she was smaller).

You can make a big production of saying '"Okay, M, ____ is in charge while mommy is working, you listen to her!"

[smittie]

All great advice. Along with your phone rule, I would make sure she knows your TV rules as well (time limits, certain shows only, etc).

[vasc]

thatblondie, I commend you for taking her on. I know it's harder to train a young person rather than have an experienced helper, but I imagine you're building her confidence and that this could be very beneficial for you and her over the next few years.

[vitafelix]

Yay!! Glad it went well! I really should call the girl down the street.