Everything your sitter needs to know while you're in sunny Acapulco
Jeff McNamara
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Tips for the Sitter: Your Kids' Bed and Bath Times
Spell out the routine. “Sticking to the routines, big and small, is so important — it makes a child feel secure and comfortable,” says Heidi Murkoff, author of
The What to Expect Baby-Sitter’s Handbook (Workman, $13 at www.barnesandnoble.com). If the babysitter knows the exact order of events leading up to bedtime (bathe, brush teeth, play with dolls, read two stories — Angelina always first! — then lights out), you’ll increase the chances of a tantrum-free evening. And if the kids are sleeping well, it increases their chances of behaving well for the sitter.
For older kids, note things like whether bedtime means lights out or if it’s OK for them to stay up and read a bit before going to sleep.
But let them break a few rules. Make your getaway a break for the kids, too, by letting them camp in the living room, shower in the master bathroom, or sleep over with a close friend.
