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Instructions for caregiver while in hospital

EmmyS27EmmyS27 member
in Two Under 2

I was wondering what kind of instructions you left for the person watching your oldest LO when you were in the hospital with #2?

My parents will be here with DD and I'm feeling super anxious about her getting off her schedule while I'm gone.  Granted, I can be a bit of a control-freak, so I don't want to go overboard and write a novel of lists to leave, but I kind of want to!

My mom is a very "go with the flow" kind of person and she doesn't pay much attention to detail.  My big concern is that DD will not nap enough or go to bed on time and then will be a mess when we come home with the new baby, but I also kind of want to write out things she eats, activities to keep her busy, etc.  Another worry is that my parents will leave the tv on for 3 days with her in front of it.  I know a few days won't scar her for life, but it really bothers me!

Any advice on what worked for your families?  TIA!! 

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Re: Instructions for caregiver while in hospital

  • CaitlinJ22CaitlinJ22 member

    i left a novel ;) I think it was 3 pages typed (double spaced ;) of what his routine is, what he eats, what he doesnt like, what songs he likes, what his querks were etc. My parents dont live near us, so they didnt know our routine. I also wrote when gymboree was, emergency numbers etc.Also I knew that he would get thrown off some, but I hoped it wasnt too bad. Your LO will not have the same exact schedule while you are away, but you can get that back.

    Writing everything down was great bc I made it when I was about 30 something wks, and at 36 wks I had to go into the hospital with PTL. I had my neighbor watch DS and it was a lifesaver that I wrote it all down since she barely knew him. 

    Even if your mom ignores some of it, at least you know it will make you feel better writing it down. Im sure she will need to know some of the info you write down.  PLus the TV things isnt horrible. If you think it will happen, then leave educational DVDs so you can control that part. Its gonna happen, whether its when you are in the hopsital or when you have a newborn for the first few wks...try to not be too hard on yourself or them. 

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  • Monsieur_et_Madame_HaMonsieur_et_Madame_Ha member

    I would leave your parents a schedule for your DD. And I think the best way to make them stick to it is to keep it as simple as possible. I feel the longer the list, the greater the chance they'll just go "Meh. Screw this" and throw it out.

    So I would just write down what time your DD usually goes to bed (nap and night), gets up, and eats. Maybe write down her bed time routine too.

    I think a separate list of her favourite things (toys, food, activities) might be useful, but again, don't overdo it if you want your parents to even read it.

    As for them sticking to your schedule, not letting her watch too much TV, etc. There's unfortunately not much you can do.

    Good luck! 

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  • moonfaeriemoonfaerie member
    imageMonsieur_et_Madame_Ha:

    I would leave your parents a schedule for your DD. And I think the best way to make them stick to it is to keep it as simple as possible. I feel the longer the list, the greater the chance they'll just go "Meh. Screw this" and throw it out.

    So I would just write down what time your DD usually goes to bed (nap and night), gets up, and eats. Maybe write down her bed time routine too.

    I think a separate list of her favourite things (toys, food, activities) might be useful, but again, don't overdo it if you want your parents to even read it.

    As for them sticking to your schedule, not letting her watch too much TV, etc. There's unfortunately not much you can do.

    Good luck! 

    I agree with all this. Your parents apparently did a good job of raising you, so I wouldn't stress too much over them having your daughter for a few days.

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  • jgoojgoo member
    I left a loose schedule for MIL. I basically told her she could do whatever, but it would benefit her more if she kept with his schedule. BUT I told her I was a stickler with his nap & bedtime & that I absolutely needed her to follow that.
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  • SeaMamaSeaMama member
    I wrote a 5 page "novel" for my mom and in laws.  My mom drives me batsh!t but SHE is the only one who read it and tried to follow it.  I was surprised.  It was his schedule but w/ all the mom stuff you pick up on about your kid.  My husband would go home around dinner time so he did the evening routine most nights and then came back int he am WITH DS1 then took him home, put him down for his nap and left him w/ my mom.  DH then came back to the hospital for the rest of the day, repeat.  DS was still a terror and schedule totally effed up when I got home but he got back to "normal" within a week or so. 
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