Parenting Checklists

Babysitter

Important Names and Numbers

• Where you can be reached
• Your cell phone numbers
• Two nearby friends, relatives or neighbors
• Fire department
• Police department
• Poison Control Center
• Pediatrician
• Hospital (Choose one that is close and offers good emergency care for kids.)

Instructions:

• What your child is allowed to eat and drink
• Bedtime (or nap time) and how to enforce it
• Play activities your child enjoys
• Activities not permitted while you're gone
• How much television (and which programs) your child is allowed to watch
• How you want behavior problems handled
• How to use any baby equipment
• Warning not to open door to strangers
• Warning for sitter not to tell phone caller she is alone, just take a message
• Rules for sitter on her use of phone, television, smoking and alcohol
• Location of basic first aid supplies (band-aids, alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment)
• What to do in case of fire or other emergency
• Show all entrances and exits, fire and burglar alarms, first aid supplies, flashlights and fuse box.
• Post your address and clear directions on how to locate your house (in case sitter needs to provide directions to emergency services).

Emergency Medical Consent Form:
Without parental permission, doctors will only treat children in life-threatening situations. To make sure your child receives emergency medical treatment when he's under a sitter's care, prepare a consent form that includes:

• Your child's name
• Date of birth
• Insurance carrier and policy number
• Doctors' names and phone numbers
• Important medical history, including allergies and chronic conditions
• The following statement: "Any licensed physician, dentist or hospital may give necessary emergency medical service to my child (YOUR CHILD'S NAME) at the request of the person bearing this consent form."
• Your signature