Works For Me: Babysitter Instructions

I keep a typed (in bold colors), laminated list on my desk.  The paper is entitled Babysitter Information, and on it is every phone number imaginable for any sitters who come to our house.  It includes our home number, both our cell phone numbers and Hubs' office number.  It contains our home address (at the very top, to give to a 9-1-1 operator, *shudder*), and the phone numbers of all our neighbors and nearby friends, as well as grandparents (none of whom live in our city).   That way, when I'm leaving in a hurry (which I always am whenever I hire a sitter, for some reason), I don't have to write it all out each time.  I feel confident knowing our sitter has access to so many numbers, should she need them (which, incidentally, she never has). 

If you'd like to share an idea for Works-For-Me Wednesday, enter your link below.  Please give the link directly to your WFMW post, not to the front page of your blog. 

Complete WFMW guidelines, if you need them, are here.

While you're out and about, don't miss the Carnival of Kid Comedy over at Life in a Shoe!

Comments

[Barb Szyszkiewicz, sfo]

Definitely an important list for every family to have. Ours is posted directly above the kitchen phone.

[Shalee]

These numbers are just as important as our cell numbers! And it is something that the kids should be familiar with or memorize, just in case the sitter has an accident too.

[Faith]

Great list. I am a safety freak - so this really will work for me!!!

I have the old banner up - I will go see if I can get it changed! oops!

[Faith]

I guess I should say that mine is up too. http://faithfulmommy.typepad.com/faithful_mommy/

[mom2fur]

I don't have to worry about babysitters any longer, but I like this idea for important numbers. I'm going to use it to keep track of my kids' friends' numbers so when I want to know where one of them is, I can check the list and call around. Although it's a pretty safe bet the 19-year-old is at his girlfriend's house, LOL!

[Meredith]

Coming up with something novel is getting harder and harder! There are too many good ideas here each week : )

[Michelle- This One's For the Girls]

I have a "babysitter list" posted on a lovely flourescent orange poster underneath the telephone. The title of the poster says: "Emergency, Emergency! Who do I call?" Since I have two live-in babysitters (praise God!), I felt that this was a mandatory list in our home! I like that you have your address on your list-- I need to add that to mine!

[Jules @ Everyday Mommy]

We've never hired a babysitter. My parents LOVE to be with their grandson and would have a fit it we asked anyone but them to watch him. Aren't we blessed?

[Nettie]

When my son was in cub scouts they had him create a safety book that included such numbers and address, as well as what to do in different situations, and rules and guidelines we wanted followed. It was very helpful as he got old enough to stay home alone. I think it helped develop him into the responsible babysitter he is for us now.

[Rhonda - Imagine]

I have really loved this series. I've used quite a few tips already and am finally ready to contribute one myself. :)

[Kim from Hiraeth]

This is an important task. One small suggestion (the laminated part made me think of it)--be sure to remember to update the list from time to time. Phone numbers change and sometimes neighbors move, so it's likely that something will change before all the kids are grown and in college!

My WFMW is up--I'll be going back and changing the graphic ASAP.

[Becky]

Wow 20 posts already and it's barely 7:30!! I can't wait to dig in! :) Thanks for hosting this Shannon!

[peach]

You're awesome for hosting this, friend. I can't take the time to go check out tips right now, but I'll enjoy seeing them later today.

[Maria]

great tip -- my sister also has a list made up for anybody, family included, that keeps her child, and keeps one in the diaper bag for nursarys at church etc.

Mine is up for today!

[Queen of Carrots]

This looks fun! I've been coming across these for awhile, but this is the first time I've given it a try.

And I'll need to make me one of those lists once we get past grandparent babysitters.

[Susan]

I don't have to hire a babysitter anymore since I have older children, but I think this is a great idea for them as well. If for some reason the younger ones are the one to call, they would have all the information as well. Sometimes in a panic, you don't remember the most important information.

[Gabriela]

That's a great idea. Besides, I am always looking for an excuse to use my laminator!

I'll change my banner first chance I get!

[Tess]

My mom did this too! And when I babysat, she insisted that I write down every number they gave me to keep for the next time I babysat too, and keep a notebook for each babysitting time (ala Babysitters Club) so I have a record.

[aggiejenn]

Great tip, Shannon! I'll definitely be using this one since we have a little one now.

[KimC]

I'm in again - thanks again for the great idea, so we can all share our great ideas!
Thanks also for mentioning the Carnival. Hope to hear from you this week!

[Amy]

We are up and rolling. Decided to focus on the coffee maker this week. Looking forward to seeing everyone's great ideas!!

[Lyn]

I'm past the babysitter stage, but I did a similar thing when mine were young, and it was posted near the phone.

I also kept/keep a page with permission to seek medical attention for my child, we have used these when they stayed at their Grandparents' home for the summer, went on outings with friends, etc. I keep a master copy in my documents in Word, and just print one up when I need it and sign it...easy!

[Susanne]

Great idea Shannon! I kept the kid's health care numbers on the list also just in case.

[Teri]

Great tip!

Mine is up!

[LammyAnn]

AWESOME!
Thanks for always hosting this Shannon!
Hugs

[Katherine @ Raising Five]

Shannon, this is such a good reminder. We have gotten lax over the years as our bigger kids knew our phone numbers. But there's nothing like an emergency to erase one's memory, huh? I need to do this again - Woo-hoo! An excuse to laminate something!

[Sue]

Grammy's have this list too! Ours have the parents names and the emergency numbers!
An absolute necessity...

[Carol]

Great idea.

And will use the cool, new graphic next week 'cause I'm just too lazy to change today's.

[Kristen]

Great idea! I love all of your ideas!

[blestwithsons]

I'm a WFMW newbie...Do I have to do a special dance or anything?
;-)

[Kristen]

I did my first "Works for Me Wednesday"! :-)

[Janice]

oh - i need to do that! I always mean to - but then end up scrambling to write them down.

my wfmw is up too

[owlhaven]

I'll add pix of my idea later today too...

[momrn2]

Great idea!

[Jan]

Don't forget ER, sheriff's dept. or police, and fire dept. numbers. Where we live, 911 may or may not work reliably.

[claire]

This is a great idea! Hope folks enjoy my contribution, Cheap entertainment for the 3 and under set.

[GiBee]

Great tip!

John Maxwell says he laminates everything important! So there you go!

[Stephanie]

I am going to do this tip right now! I am always & forever writing down our info (even tho only the grandparents have watched our kids so far!!) but still- I always want it on hand just in case! Next tip I need- how to find a good babysitter that is non-family?? Oh, and holy cow you have a lot of WFMW participants!!! I took this week off!

[Kristina]

I like this idea. I put my WW up. I just started today. I had heard about it and didn't know whose idea it was. Great idea!

[Jessica]

Good idea!

[Charity Grace]

Why won't my link stay up...???

[Tina]

As usual a great tip!

I have added my link.

[Carmen]

I like this!

[Gina C]

Great idea! Your idea gave me an idea for next weeks WFMW.

[utmommy]

That is such a wonderful idea. I seem to always write down a few numbers in a hurry. If I did this, I wouldn't have to rewrite numbers all the time.

[Tabz]

I LOVE your blog header... :)

[whimsy]

I love the new link system. It's easier for me to keep track of which one's I still have to read. I can't read 'em all in one day anymore!

Yeah you!!!

[Amy]

I am sorry that I am reentering this again. My comments and my camera weren't working. This is the updated blog entry and I hope you guys can swing by and see an actual visual of my solution :)

[melnel]

Look at how many people participate! You've really hit on something here, congrats, O Genius One! :)

[April]

question... how do you choose your babysitter? is she an adult? tell me about the decision process for this if you can. THANKS a ton.

[Traci]

My parents are always right there anytime we need a sitter, but I think I will do this anyway. Just in case we have an emergency and have to grab the teenager next door to babysit in a pinch.

[Kathryn, DYM]

We do the babysitter info thing too, only not laminated. Ours changes almost daily at this stage... not allowed any dairy...diapers...etc.