Community› The Bump Message Boards› Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
New Discussion

Leaving DS for the first time with grandparents - tips?

vamomtobevamomtobe member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
I've left before, for work, one or more nights, but this time my husband is coming along with me and we'll both be gone for 4 days.  DH's awesome parents, who currently watch DS 2 days a week, will be staying at our place to watch him.  One day they'll be with him all day, the rest of the week they'll take him to day care in the morning and pick him up around 5.  

I'm pretty laid back.  They are ultra type-A.  Not criticizing, just pointing out that I need some advice because my mode of thinking is so opposite theirs.  They sent me a 4 page long list of questions, with a note that they will be reviewing it daily and will want to meet with me to go over it.  It was an eye opener to me that they really have some anxiety about this and, being my laid-back self, I'm having trouble putting myself in their shoes and thinking of what would make them feel prepared.

So - ladies out there who are fans of structure, details, plans, lists, preparation...what would YOU want in their place?  I already made them a list of contacts, a cutesy (but very detailed) "Care and Maintenance of Young Master B" document with day-by-day instructions, and I did type in answers to their 4 page long list of questions.

For example, should I have outfits already laid out for each day, labeled??  A detailed "menu" for meals for the week?  

They acknowledge that they're over-the-top when it comes to DS, and I'm OK with it, so give me all your ideas, no matter how nuts they may seem.


Report Reply to Post

Re: Leaving DS for the first time with grandparents - tips?

  • Litgirl77Litgirl77 member
    I'm pretty type-A, and I'm also leaving DS with my parents next week for our first overnight in a looooong time, except I'm the uber scheduled person and my mom is waaaay more relaxed. :)

    As far as a menu, I'd just leave a list of meals with suggested times (if you're not a super schedule person, think about what the "ideal" would be like for your DS - I bet they'll follow it, even if he isn't normally on a schedule!). So I'd list out that breakfast is usually at 7:30 and list some examples of meals DS likes (and so on) so they can choose what to serve or just get inspired.

    If your DS has favorite outfits (?) I'd maybe lay those out, but other than that, I'd just label drawers with post its or something so things are easy to find (if they aren't familiar with his room that much).

    We have a pretty strict bedtime routine - I'd say that's pretty important for them to know, as well as tired cues, naps routine, favorite comfort toys… probably all stuff you've thought about already. 

    Married November 2009 ~ Sam is here! (12/26/12)

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
     

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • CrequitoCrequito member
    I'm not Type-A at all but when DD was being watched by my mom while DH and I were in Miami at 6mos of age I had a lot in place.  I made sure the diaper genie was emptied so it wouldn't get full over the weekend.  I put enough diapers for the weekend and then some in the diaper drawer so my mom wouldn't have to go hunting for the box of extras.  I refilled the wipes box and made sure the powder and desitin were at least half full just in case she needed them.  I also organized the formula and purees so that she'd know what was for each day.

    I think it also helped that I left an estimated timeline of DDs typical day with naptimes, feedings and bedtime/MOTN wakeups.  This helped my mom know if DD was on track for her typical day or not.  Do all LOs laundry in case they have some crazy blowouts and also keep an extra crib sheet and changing pad cover readily available in case they need that.  Basically make it so they won't have to look for anything and I think that might help them feel more comfortable.
    Report Reply
  • CrequitoCrequito member
    Oh - make sure all the clothing in LOs dresser fits so they're not trying to put a too small onesie on a screaming toddler.  I don't go through DDs clothing nearly as often as I should to pull out too small stuff but I do make sure to if someone else will be watching her for more than 2 days.

    And lastly - pack the diaper bag and then if you really want to be type A make some back up diaper bag refills (basically put extra diapers, wipes, food and clothing in a large ziploc so if they use up everything in the diaper bag on one outing they can just grab and go for the next one).

    Maybe having DD has made me more type A than I thought . . .
    Report Reply
  • vamomtobevamomtobe member
    Thanks for the ideas!!  This is all really helpful!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"