Adventures in Babysitting

There's nothing worse than coming home from a well deserved night out with my husband only to find a sink full of dishes.  Yes, I know the most important thing is that the babysitter keep my child safe and entertain him.  But the dirty dishes thing always makes me a little mad.  Or to find food wrappers all over the house. Once I found a doritos package in Awsumb's bedroom. He said the babysitter gave him a snack before bed  - in bed? DORITOS?  You have to be kidding me.  Actually we have pretty much been blessed with great babysitters.

On the flip side, we only have one child and I am sure don't pay as much as other families in the area.  And we almost always call last minute.  Because we don't get babysitters very often it's a party when we do.  I usually let Awsumb have Kraft Mac and Cheese on babysitter nights.  And for him to have a playmate to hangout with all evening... someone paid to listen to him talk, talk, talk.... well, he's in heaven.

After hearing about a few babysitting disasters from friends, and because I know a babysitter probably doesn't remember all the stuff we tell them as we are running out the door, I created this little Note to the Babysitter.  I hope you find it useful.  I have this printed on 1/2 sheet of paper and just fill it out and leave it with the sitter.  Some things seem obvious, but I feel it's just better to make sure everyone knows the rules.

Note to Babysitter…

Dinner and Snacks_____________
• Awsumb can only have snack/treat if he ate his lunch/dinner.
• Please rinse and load dishes.
• No food upstairs or in the family room.

TV & Video Games____________
• Awsumb may watch ONE movie after dinner.
• He may only select a movie from HIS movie collection.
• Only “E” rated Xbox or Wii games.
• The computer/internet and office are off limits.

Activities and play______________
(sometimes I suggest games, activites or even homework that needs to be finished)

Bedtime______________________
• Please help Awsumb clean up any toys left out.
• Brush teeth, Potty, PJ's
• Awsumb should put his clothes into the laundry sorter.

Thank you for babysitting for us tonight!
• Please help yourself to any food or drink you like.
• If the family room is cool in the evening feel free to cover up with a quilt.
• No need to answer the phone unless you recognize the number on caller id.

We will be at________ Until____
Please call if you have any questions or concerns…
Daddy's Cell 867-5309
Mommy’s Cell 867-5309
Neighbors Phone 867-5309

In case of emergency call 911
House Address 123 Cherrywood Lane, Anywhere USA
House Phone 867-5309

Tonight we were blessed with a great babysitter. The first ever who DID THE DISHES!  I guess she's a keeper.  Didn't you just love that old movie, "Adventures in Babysitting?'  Though none of my babysitting jobs were quite that exciting, I sure had my fair share of odd situations - inlcuding: the little boy that I had the hide the kitchen knives from, a family that lived on the wrong side of the tracks (literally), and a little girl who choose to share a little bit too much family information with me!