How do i help ds settle with new babysitter

[evansmummy]

Our regular sitter is unavaulable so tomorrow night we have a new sitter, 17 yo girl, very lovely, very responsible, sitting while we go into London for a gig. Ds, 4yo, has never met her before and I'm really worried he won't settle. If we were gonna be close at hand it would be ok, we could pop back if there was a problem, but as we'll be in town, that won't really be an option. Can I do anything to make it easier on him (and myself!)?

It's the first time he's been with someone he doesn't know.

Get them to make playdoh - children of all ages like making playdoh... will give them something to do before your DS has to go to bed.

You probably have all the ingredients in your store cupboards, apart from the salt (get the basics/value pack of table salt).

2 Cups Plain Flour
1 Cup Table Salt
2 Cups boiling water (17 year old will need to do this bit)
2 Tablespoons of oil
4 Teaspoons Cream of Tartar
Few drops of food colouring

Mix dry ingredients together. Pour in the 2 cups of boiling water - I suggest 1.5 cups and add the remaining .5 only if needed.
Stir (I find a fork works better than a spoon). Once the mixture comes together... turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a a few minutes. Then it's ready to use.

Get your DS to select some of his favourite story books, which your sitter can read to him.

could you ask her to come an hr earlier whilst you are there gives you an hr to get ready as well and its not a matter of a quick 10mins handover and off you go out.

Both great ideas. She is coming over a half hour earlier to spend a bit of time with him before we go out. I'll get him to choose some books and a puzzle to do with her, and will have a think about the playdoh. Where do i get cream of tartar from?

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