Practical tips for leaving the children for 10 days

[Thurlow]

In a few weeks time we are going away and the various grandparents are moving into our house for the 10 days (taking turns) to look after DD(5) and DS(10mo).

Now clearly I don't think they are useless or impractical or I wouldn't be trusting them to look after my DC but I do want to make sure life is easy for them, as we might not always be a quick text message away to help, and expecting them to remember a load of comments thrown at them before we leave the house isn't very helpful either. So I want to make sure everything is organised and easy for them, especially as regards the baby, the 5yo is more than capable of telling them what's what!

Does anyone have any other thoughts of what might be useful?

• Daily routine (i.e. baby's bottles and naps, what time to leave for school, what time to collect them from the CM)
• Weekly routine (what days they are at their CM's - we want to give the grandparents as much of a break as possible so they will be keeping to their childcare routine - days and times of 5yo's sports classes, bins, when the cleaner comes)
• Details of GP and hospital (10mo as a few minor allergies so you never know)
• Contact details for CM's, and for neighbours in case of any random disasters
• Medicines in a sensible place, not shoved in random cupboards as they are now.

Is there anything you would leave or, if you were looking after someone else's children not in your house, and not in your town, is there anything you would like to know?

Maybe things like if your 10 month old has a favourite toy or nursery rhyme etc if he's unsettled?

And details of the best take away if it was me

How the house 'works' - washing machine, hot water, heating, burglar alarm, Wi-Fi password, sky box, door locks etc?

Food in freezer - if you're not used to it then co-ordinating meals etc and looking after little ones seems bigger than it is.

iPad password

Washing machine etc is a good shout. The kids will mostly be eating at their CMs but I will make sure we're stocked with plenty of easy things like pasta and fish fingers - and details of takeaways

Presents from you - small toys / books / cards for each day you're away?
Play date numbers for the 5 yo?
A full food cupboard

It's very likely that everyone will under estimate how knackered they will be. It's harder than they remember and they are older and less resilient. My kids GPs had them a lot and went to bed at their bedtime too. Warn them they will be exhausted.

I'd have a book of how everything works. Maybe a diary of Monday x happens and y time, Tuesday x at y.

Leave lots of goodies for the GPs to build goodwill.

Good luck to you all.

I'd add where to find spare clothes, spare sheets, towels, extra nappies, various coats and shoes if not in obvious place, calpol etc. Hope it goes well