With this Babysitter Travel Checklist, you can travel stress-free knowing that you have left all the important information that your babysitter will need to take care of your little one.
[Original post 11/16/16. Babysitter Travel Checklist Updated 6/14/18]
Home sweet sweet sweet home.
We are back from our first ever long trip without our little tiny tot! The hubs and I had an absolutely phenomenal time just being a couple and exploring Europe. But at the same time, we are happy to be home with our little one.
One thing that made leaving much easier for us, was knowing Poppy was in good hands and that our babysitter (in this case Grandma) was armed with all the necessary information. Just like you probably create an itinerary with all your trip info, it is so helpful to leave an info sheet for the person taking care of your kid(s).
The checklist I created is based on leaving 1 toddler for 2 weeks, but the great news is that it is totally customizable. Whether you have a baby instead of a toddler or multiple children or you are going on a shorter trip, the checklist still applies. Simply add or adjust information based on your need and BOOM, you are ready to go (literally run out the door).
In the end, having a Babysitter Travel Checklist has been a lifesaver! It was one less thing to stress about before we left and really allowed me to have fun knowing both baby and sitter were well prepared.
Next time you take a baby-free vacation, use this checklist to make sure you, the sitter and your kid(s) have a great time!
Itinerary
This is everything the sitter needs to know about your travel plans. Where you are going, hotels, flights, dates, and times. It’s important for your sitter and kids to know where you will be and how they can get in contact with you.
Emergency Contacts
Such a no-brainer but easily forgettable. Here you want to include all of your contact info (phone and email) as well as contact info for trusted nearby family members, family friends, or neighbors that you would want to help in case of questions or an emergency.
Medical Information
Create a medical treatment release form for your kid(s). Either ask your pediatrician for a form or you can write out a letter of permission stating who is allowed to authorize medical treatment in case your child is sick or injured. Make sure you and the authorize person sign the letter.
Have any medications refilled and available with instructions on how to use them. Also be specific about over-the-counter meds like Tylenol for example and when it is OK for it to be administered. I like reviewing this with the babysitter before leaving and leaving instructions written down.
Meals
For older kids, this is probably not as important, but for little ones it is. Leave notes about what your child eats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks. What they are not allowed to eat or are allergic to. Also for little ones, how much milk (or how many bottles) a day.
For our toddler, we left some pre-cooked food like applesauce, soups and a few dinners like pasta and lean meats. But I also left some examples of sample well-balanced meals for our sitter. Luckily Grandma is a great cook so I am not concerned. But for caretakers in general, it is really nice leaving them with notes and ideas of what to feed your kid. It makes their life easier ☺
Daily Routine
Young or old, most kids have a daily routine. Our toddler may not go to school but she has routine each day between meals, playtime, outdoor time and nap time. It is helpful to leave an example of the daily routine for the babysitter so they can create a little structure for your child. Sure they will do things differently and that is part of the fun, but having a routine mapped out for them will make the transition smoother for everyone.
Activities
Especially if you are leaving your kid(s) for more than 1 day, it is nice to plan out some activities or places for the sitter and your kid(s) to enjoy. In our case, it is things like library story times, play dates and fall neighborhood events. Also I included a list of local parks, kid events and at home/outdoor activities.
When detailing activities don’t forget to mention screen time policy, acceptable shows and general guidelines for the sitter to be aware of.
Another helpful tip, especially for those with little ones, is to make sure the babysitter understands and feels conformable using any baby products. Strollers, car seat, monitors, pack-and-plays, baby swings, or monitors can be confusion, so make sure you explain or leave instructions. Don’t forget most products do have online tutorials nowadays, so you can leave tutorial links too!
Extra
This is where all the extra important information goes. House tasks and reminders such as trash/recycling day, mail, thermostat settings, security systems, house maintenance, etc. Be sure to leave details regarding Wi-Fi information, TV remote settings, laundry and any other electronic devices that may be used during your absence. Additionally detail out any information or tasks regarding pet care or plant care.
And lastly as a fun courtesy, I like leaving a note about my favorite nearby stores or locations to make the sitter’s life easier. This includes gas stations, grocery stores, nearby parks, coffee shops, school and hospital. Although this is probably not necessary for a local person, it is always nice to help the babysitter become comfortable with your neighborhood.
I know this seems like a lot, but trust me, once you start writing it all out, it doesn’t really take that long. And at the end of the day, it gives you the peace of mind knowing your child is taken care of and your baby sitter has everything he/she needs.
Happy travels!
Originally posted 2016-11-16 07:00:00.
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