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Hawaii Babies
redshoegirl
member
help with babysitting instructions
redshoegirl
member
I'm writing a short list of instructions to give to MIL and the friend that will be caring for Will and Dash when I go back to work. It's secretly really for MIL so she doesn't feed them all kinds of crazy things etc., but I have to give it to both of them, kwim?
Here's what I have so far - is there anything I should change, add or remove?
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FEEDING
The boys eat 210ml of formula every 4 hours ? sometimes they?ll
finish the entire bottle, other times not. [We're providing it pre-measured, but I thought maybe I should have this anyway?]
They also eat one serving of solids per day, right before
they get their bottles (you can choose which feeding, but they generally prefer
it earlier in the day). We?ll provide purees ? their doctor has recommended
that foods be introduced in a certain order, so please don?t feed them anything that we haven?t provided. [My note: OK, their doctor hasn't actually recommended this, but I figure that kind of authority figure is more likely to be listened to than me, you know?]
PLAY
Nothing unusual here ? however, they love books and we read one to them during each play time.
We do not let them watch TV at this stage.
SLEEP
The boys will need to nap after about 1.5 hours of awake time ? after that, they tend to get overtired fairly quickly and you may end up with a meltdown on your hands.
Typical naps are about 30-45min in length. [Not sure if this is necessary, but I have it because MIL has asked before.]
Their pattern is generally: EAT --> play --> nap --> play --> nap --> REPEAT (so there are 2 lots of playtime and 2 naps between each meal).
CONTACT
Our work and cell phone numbers go here.This discussion has been closed.
Re: help with babysitting instructions
looks good to me - I had something pretty similar when DH's cousin was watching Jack before the daycare spot opened.
I requested that she write down naps/changes/meals just like they do at the center (actually they had given me one of the report sheets they use at the center when I was pre-registering). I told her it was so I would know what to report to the center once he did start (which is partly true) but it also just helped me *know* more about what his day was like down to the minute details.
Also, I guess you will make it clear to MIL that you will provide things and she shouldn't go buy stuff. I know my well meaning MIL would probably go out and buy food (and diapers/wipes/baby care items) as a "favor" but may buy stuff I wouldn't want used - so maybe list brands and/or types of food that are on the a-ok list?
Yeah, this is a concern of mine. Honestly, I really don't want her buying ANYTHING. Well, diapers would probably be OK, but I think food is far more likely. Do you think I should go into more detail about us providing *all* their food, or put a list of what we've already fed them and say that those things (but nothing else) are OK?
And I'm pretty sure she already has a houseful of used stuff that I can't really do anything about. I mentioned bringing some of the boys' toys and books on the day that she will have them and she insisted that she already has all of that stuff. *sigh*
in case you are curious - here is a (more detailed) daily report type thing.
https://brightbeginningscc.com/infants/INFANTDA.DOC.pdf
Jack's looks more like this"
feedings
____oz _______ am/pm
____oz _______ am/pm
____oz _______ am/pm
____oz _______ am/pm
____oz _______ am/pm
solids _____________(type) at _______________am/pm
notes:______________ (here they sometime write anything out of the ordinary - he tossed all puffs over the side, loved "xyz food", if there is any notation of refused bottle above they elaborate here)
diapering
w/bm _______am/pm
w/bm _______am/pm
w/bm _______am/pm
w/bm _______am/pm
w/bm _______am/pm
naps
_____ to _____
_____ to _____
_____ to _____
my mood was:
morning _________________
afternoon ________________
Notes: ___________ various reminders to bring more food, clothes, etc. Notation if they go on buggy ride, do art, personal things - like drooled/bit a lot or something.
I think this is a good idea, but there is absolutely no way MIL will do it. Ever.
Do NOT put a list of things you've already fed them because I personally wouldnt want my IL's feeding Bella anything that I didn't provide myself! I think then she would not feed them the peas you sent and feed them sweet potatoes that she bought just to spite you... does that make sense? When Bella goes to my FIL's for a rare ocassion here or there, we always send the food in containers that he can heat up and give to her. DH was very specific to his dad and said she can ONLY have what is in the bowls that WE have picked and sent with her. His dad would still ask "well I have X, can she have that?" and DH would explain to him that no she couldn't that we needed to be around when different things were given to her just to be sure if she had a reaction the dr would want to know specific details... his dad has never questioned it.
I also think it's good that you mentioned in your schedule about potential meltdowns and why they would happen... Honestly maybe if one happens, she'll get the jist of why you do things when you do them! I also think it's good that you said the pedi said they could only have things in a certain order because then it's not just you being bossy
A schedule is VERY important to little kids! Bella's 14 months old and her schedule is key to happiness for everyone involved!
good point! I think I was mostly concerned about other things too - I'm super picky about skin care items, disposable wipes, and brands -- those are the type of things that my mom and MIL have compiled just to keep at their own house so I made sure they knew my preference before stocking up (and thus being able to say, well lets just use up this before I go buy your type...)
My step-mom was so against me using CD that for my baby shower she bought me 2 packages of disposables AND wipes and said "well just in case". My dad even asked "why would you waste our money when you know that sarah and Ryan will be using CD?" I promptly but nicely asked for a gift receipt because I told her, "there won't be a just in case, we're all cloth all the way"... she forked over the receipt! Some people!! My mom has a pack and play at her house for Bella but that's one thing that's not a big deal.
Our FIL has a high chair but it doesn't have a proper strap so we always just take ours, he says "I have one" and DH has explained to him multiple times that it's not safe for her to be in there because she's old enough now to climb out on her own free will if she's not strapped in. I know he's just trying to help out but at least make sure what you are using is safe! Safety is a GIANT deal to me!
Good point about the food - I'll just emphasize that they need to ONLY use what we provide.
I'm not very picky about wipes and stuff, so if she feels like buying some of that stuff to have at her house it's OK.
Totally agree with this!
Your instructions look really good to me. I need to shorten mine and I'm gonna use yours as inspiration. Mine was 2 pages long and I don't think ILs ever read it =P
I've added a little more to it now, although it's still one short page (I put in the bit about not having to finish food because MIL likes to tell the story about how when Ben was little, he was picky with food so she and FIL would literally forcefeed him...Ben was 8 months old at the time)
* * * * *
FEEDING
The boys eat 210ml of formula every 4 hours ? sometimes they?ll finish the entire bottle, other times not.
They also eat one serving of solids per day, right before they get their bottles (you can choose which feeding, but they generally prefer it earlier in the day). We?ll provide purees ? their doctor has recommended that foods be introduced in a certain order, so please don?t feed them anything that we haven?t provided. It?s fine to feed them from the same container and with the same spoon.
If they don?t eat the entire serving (of formula or solids), it?s fine ? just throw away the remainder.
PLAY
Nothing unusual here ? however, they love books and we read one to them during each play time.
We do not let them watch TV at this stage.
SLEEP
The boys will need to nap after about 1.5 hours of awake time ? after that, they tend to get overtired fairly quickly and you may end up with a meltdown on your hands.
Typical naps are about 30-45min in length.
They?re still being partially swaddled during naps at this point ? one arm in, one arm out. We?ll send their Miracle Blankets with them to use.
Their pattern is generally: EAT -> play -> nap -> play -> nap -> REPEAT (so there are 2 lots of playtime and 2 naps between each meal).
CONTACT
Our contact info here
looks great to me!
one thing you may want to include - or maybe go over verbally - is how much crying is ok, if you want them picked up right away, allowed to fuss a little, etc.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Might want to add that some of their own things around might be helpful to them in adjusting being in a new place without Mom or Dad.