babysitters - do's and don'ts

[jay11]

Hi, i have 3 kids (6.5 and under) and usually my poor mum babysits if me and dh go out. And when i work. And if i need to get my hair cut etc etc. Anyway, have decided that I should use a babysitter occassionally if I want to go out locally and my neighbours daughter has offered - she's 19, a student and sensible. As this is my first time using a sitter, just wondered if anyone had any do's/don'ts suggestions eg should i leave out drinks or snacks, how much to pay. . .

thanks!

we are also looking for a sitter but i would buy some snacks in and leave some drinks. Prob pay 5'er an hour, not really sure on that. Tell them to go ahead and use internet and use phone for local calls only

I pay £5/hour. Usually get some diet coke, nachos, choccy etc (for the sitter). The kids aren't allowed anything to eat unless it's fruit and juice (otherwise they'll be climbing the walls). Give her e strict bed time, if they are not already in bed and let her know what do if little xxxx wakes up. After I have used them for a while, they can bring a friend to keep them company. Have a lovely time !!! Oh, and don't forget to leave your mobile numbers & where you are going.

No other person in the house without your express prior permission [memories of tennage babysitter being found semi clothed on sofa with unsuitable boyfriend by returning parents circa 1977]

Oh, yeah and ours using the PC for emailing and facebook and can book a movie on Sky.

off out tomorrow, leaving 4 dc with a 19 year old very reliable friends daughter. out at 6.30, back about 11 and will pay her £15. will also leave chocolate and snacks for her and older 2 dc as younger 2 will be tucked up asleep hopefully wouldnt mind her using the pc, but she will be happy chatting to the older 2 and watching hannah montanna, my dd cant believe her luck

thanks for that, think I might leave a selection of films and crisps/choc. Aiming to have kids asleep - just worried about dd2 as she's only 2 and has a tendency to wake up. . .hoping I don't have a call to come home early!£5 hour sounds good. Not sure about using phone tho altho i guess most teenagers have mobiles so she can use that.

She's asked if she can bring her (long term) bf what do others think? Her parents are ok with it, so. . .

I would say no, not the first time to the BF.

Films and crisps/choc are fine. Set up a separate account on your PC/laptop if you plan to let her use it.

Please tell her how to work the heating. Worst experience I ever had was [pre mobile days] parents got stuck in traffic and were mega late back. Fine except the heating switched off at 10 and I was FEEEZING till around 12.30. I had to cover myself in cushions and make a hot water bottle out of a milk carton....

Lots of snacks
Films
Phone numbers
Agree with above about seperate account on PC. We have a 'guest' setting....
Personally I would only let anyone in my house with kids if I;d met them. Do you kow the boyfriend?

Enjoy!!!

Also on the checklist - show her where the DCs red books are in case of health emergency (nothing worse than child with suspected meningitis and not being able to answer basic questions at hospital), where matches and candles are in case of power cuts, where the fuse box is... Can you tell I've found these out from bitter experience?!

Leave: the number of a friend/relative/neighbour (sitter's mother?!) who will help in emergency if you can't be reached on mobile and instructions on how to try to settle DD2 (does she know the sitter?)