Clear communication with your sitter is key to a safe and successful caregiving experience for both your family and your sitter. There’s a lot to think about when transitioning a new person into the mix, so we’ve put together a list of safety considerations to cover with your sitter.
Family Rules
Every family has a few group rules—make sure your sitter is in-the-know. These could be anything from where food can (or can’t) be eaten in the house, to language that isn’t allowed to be used. It’s important for your sitter to be able to smoothly transition into your unique family environment.
Basic Health
Do any of your kids have allergies? Is anyone taking regular medication? Are there any specific nutritional needs your kids have? Where are basic First Aid supplies located in your home? Filling your sitter in on these basic health needs will help ensure that your kids are in good hands.
Contact Numbers & Expectations
Providing the standard list of names and numbers is a great practice. Go a set further and include your communication expectations along with this list. What are the situations in which you’d like the sitter to call/text you? What situations are better left for mentioning after you get home? Instructing the sitter on how exactly to communicate with you about your kids will set you both up for a positive relationship.
Emergency Preferences
They aren’t fun to imagine, but emergency situations could happen while your sitter is in the care of your kids. Thinking through what you would want your sitter to do in advance will allow them to act decisively on your behalf, when necessary. This is important for the entire family to know too.
Life-Saving Skills
Does your sitter know First Aid or CPR? The Heimlich Maneuver? Even if your sitter has had experience with these trainings, it never hurts to have a refresher course. You could make a family outing of it and all participate together—setting a great example for your kids about safety and awareness. Here’s a list of options to get you started.
Keeping your kids safe and healthy is your number one priority. Talking with your sitter about safety isn’t meant to be a fearful experience, but rather a way to give you both added confidence while your kids are in their care.
