Expectations of the babysitter

jess08200

Do you have set list of things or expectations for babysitters? I never had one left for me when I was babysitting, but I am considering leaving one for ours.  The past few times we have had babysitters, I have just gotten frustrated when I get home.

DS's toys aren't picked up, and the past two times we have fed the babysitter (different one each time) they didn't even put their dishes in the dishwasher.

Last night baby sitter forgot to give him his milk before bed.  When we came home at 10:00, he heard us and started crying and wanted his milk.  So at 10:00, we had to give him his milk he should have gotten.

Do you think it's too much if we made a list, this was DH's idea.

When I baby sat, I would cook for the kids, put them to bed.  Then I would do all of the dishes, even if they weren't from dinner, and then put the toys away.  Have times changed and we expect less from them for more money?

zeptattoo

When I babysat for young kids, the parents usually left me a checklist and I really liked that.  It also helped if the kids were like "Mommy and Daddy let me eat candy for dinner" or "Mommy lets me stay up until 10" etc.  It just allowed me to be more organized.  I don't think it is insulting if you do the same thing.

tracy042206

I always leave a rough schedule - so things like the milk before bed shouldn't get forgotten.  My babysitter is now 19 and she started with us just before she turned 16 and I can't say I have noticed her leaving a mess so she must at least straighten up the toys after the kids are in bed and she does put her dishes away.  However I could see if someone didn't have a dishwasher themselves they may leave their dishes in just the sink or not want to mess up someone's system.  Overall I don't expect them to clean up much or keep it spotless but I also wouldn't want to come to a complete disaster (which is also relative since our house is generally messy somewhere at any given time).

LMH1209

I think a checklist and/or rough schedule is as good idea. I would probably let the dishwasher thing go (or leave paper plates). I very rarely put something directly into the dishwasher at someone else's house, and I would be surprised if someone other than family put something in the dishwasher at our house.