leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

Maternity leave is over, and I have to go back to work Monday.
I finally have DD in a nice little routine/schedule, and I would like to try to keep her on it. 3 days/week, a sitter will be here at home, and the other 2 days, she will be at our friend's house.

Do you think it's weird and/or insulting if I type up her little 'schedule' and leave it for the sitter/friend to refer to. It's not set in stone, but this is working for DD and allowing her to sleep 8 hours at night.

For instance, she needs to be swaddled. She will NOT sleep without it. She also doesnt need to be picked up and fed as soon as she wakes up. She likes to lay on the bed, or the play mat for an hour, suck on her hands,'talk' and kick around. I like her to stay up a bit, if possible.

If you did type up a little reference for your sitter, would you mind sharing it? I dont know why I feel strange doing this.

Re: leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

Not at all..how else would she know what to do?

I had a schedule, foods I would do for each meal or bottle oz's or how i prepared btls

I also had a list of lies and dislikes. Emergency numbers. etc. I would also give a tour of the house -sheets, towels, etc

Re: leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

We have a nanny 3 days a week and I gave her a very detailed (borderline anal) schedule and instructions. She was very good about it, and even expected it. We sat and talked about it and went over everything.

I will say DD changed so much so fast that the first schedule went out the window after a few weeks but I highly recommend giving your sitter one to start with. It really made me feel ok going back to work initially. Now they are in such a good routine but I still have her write down everything each day (time DD ate, napped, dirty diapers etc). She has a notebook she keeps everything in and each morning I write down anything I have planned for them that day or requests for the nanny. It's working out great!

Message edited 5/18/2011 12:32:14 PM.

Re: leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

I type up DS schedule for my Mom and MIL when they watch him, even if its just for a few hours. They drive me insane otherwise asking me what I did and didn't do and what I plan to do and how much and why.

Not only a schedule, but its really detailed with what foods to feed him when, when to offer water, when to change diaper. My MIL used to be a nanny she expects it.

Re: leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

I still leave notes for my inlaws!
My kids are 2 and 4.
I think they are a HUGE help to whomever is watching the children.

Re: leaving your dc's schedule for babysitter?

I liked having that when I started watching my friend's son! It helped know what to do with someone else's child!