Babysitter Book
I knew my life had changed the day I turned down the chance to go to Las Vegas with my husband. It's too much work to leave! A "getaway" weekend is not what it used to be, ever since I had my three beautiful children. Getting away for three days usually means even more days of preparation. First I have to find a babysitter. Not only is there packing involved, there's grocery shopping and laundry to do. Then I have to sit down and write out list after list. There are lists with the emergency numbers and doctor names. I write down who likes what to eat. I also have to write down the weekend soccer games, birthday parties and gymnastic classes. I attempt to cover all the bases to make it easier for the wonderful people looking after my girls.
That brings me to my newest discovery. It's a new book written by two local moms that simplifies the process of leaving information for the babysitter. "By the Book: How To Take Care MY Kids" is a binder-style book, divided into sections that range from emergency information to the daily routine. It has pages to write down information you might not think of leaving, like where the water shut-off valve is in case a toilet overflows. It even has a section for parents who want to know how to find a nanny and a contract for you and the nanny to sign during the hiring process. Parents fill out the pages and all the information is there in one, easy-to-find place. You can just hand it to the babysitter, whether it's the teenager you've hired for a few hours or the grandparents who are watching the kids all weekend.
While the book can't help with packing, laundry or other preparation needed for "getting away" it certainly makes it easier to have the information the babysitter needs, at your fingertips.
