The Babysitters Parents Guide: What You’re Actually Supposed to Do

You finally booked the reservation. After three weeks of "we really need a night out," you actually did it. But now, as the clock ticks toward 6:00 PM, that familiar low-grade panic sets in. Is the house too messy? Did I buy enough snacks? Does this teenager even know how to use a microwave?

Honestly, most people treat the babysitters parents guide as a frantic, last-minute scribble on a Post-it note. We’ve all been there—handing over a piece of paper that says "Pizza's in the fridge, call if he won't sleep," while we back out the door like we’re escaping a heist. It’s not great.

Leaving your kids with someone else is high-stakes. It’s arguably the most important "management" job you’ll ever have, yet we rarely train for it. If you want a night where you aren't checking your phone every four minutes, you need a system. Not a rigid, 40-page manual that no one will read, but a functional framework that actually keeps your kids safe and your house from burning down.

The Mental Shift: You’re an Employer Now

Let’s be real. When you hire a sitter, you’re running a small business. That might sound cold, but treating it with that level of professional clarity is what prevents 90% of the "I forgot to tell them about the nut allergy" disasters.

According to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the vast majority of preventable home injuries happen during transitions of care. That's fancy talk for "when the parents leave and the sitter takes over." This is the danger zone.

You aren't just paying for time. You're paying for judgment. But judgment requires context. A sitter who doesn't know that your three-year-old can climb the bookshelf like a mountain goat is a sitter who isn't equipped to succeed.

Why Your Current Notes Probably Fail

Most parents provide too much of the wrong info and too little of the right stuff. Your sitter doesn't need a five-paragraph essay on why your son is "going through a phase" with dinosaur nuggets. They need to know if he’s going to choke on them.

A functional babysitters parents guide should be scannable. Think about it: if there’s a fire or a massive blowout, is the sitter going to flip through a notebook to find your cell number? No. They need it taped to the fridge at eye level.

The Safety Essentials Nobody Checks

Let’s get into the weeds. Safety isn't just "don't let them play with knives."

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First: The Water Heater. If you have an older home, check your water temp. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests setting it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding. If your sitter is giving a bath, they might not be as paranoid about testing the water as you are. Mention it.

Then there’s the "Secret Dangers" list. Every house has them. Maybe it’s the loose floorboard at the top of the stairs or the fact that your sliding glass door doesn't actually lock unless you jam a stick in the track.

• Address and Cross-Streets: In an emergency, the sitter needs to tell 911 exactly where they are. They might know how to get to your house, but do they know the zip code?
• Emergency Contacts: Don't just list yourself. Give them a neighbor who is home and a "Backup Adult" like a grandparent.
• Medical Consent: This is the one everyone misses. In many jurisdictions, a doctor can’t treat a non-life-threatening injury without parental consent. Leave a signed note that says: "I, [Name], give [Sitter Name] permission to seek medical treatment for my children at [Hospital Name]."

Logistics: The Stuff That Ruins the Night

Beyond the life-and-death stuff, there's the "I can't believe I'm dealing with this at dinner" stuff.

Screen time is the big one. If you don't set a hard limit, some sitters will let your kids watch YouTube for four hours straight. That's fine if that's your vibe, but if you don't want your toddler seeing weird "unboxing" videos, you have to be explicit. Say, "One movie, then the TV stays off."

And please, for the love of everything, explain the "Bedtime Theater." Kids are professional negotiators. They will tell the sitter that you always let them have a bowl of ice cream at 9:00 PM and that they never wear pajamas on Fridays. Your babysitters parents guide needs to debunk these lies before they happen.

Write down the specific routine:

1. Brush teeth (with the blue toothbrush, not the green one).
2. Two books.
3. Sound machine on "Rain" setting.
4. Lights out.

If the sitter knows the routine, the kids can’t manipulate them. It provides a sense of security for the child, too. They feel safer when the "rules" of the house remain consistent even when Mom and Dad are gone.

The Money Conversation (It’s Awkward, Just Do It)

How much do you pay? This varies wildly. In cities like New York or San Francisco, $25–$30 an hour is the baseline. In smaller towns, it might be $15.

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Check sites like Care.com or UrbanSitter for local averages, but don't be cheap. If you want someone who will actually put their phone down and engage with your kids, pay a premium.

Also, establish the "Ending Time" protocol. If you say you’ll be home by 11:00 PM and you roll in at 12:30 AM, you’ve just burnt a bridge. If you're running late, text. And pay for that extra time—rounding up to the nearest hour is usually the move.

Feeding the Sitter

Don't assume they’ve eaten. Tell them exactly what they can raid in the pantry. "Everything in the snack drawer is fair game, but please don't eat the leftover lasagna because that’s my lunch tomorrow." Clear boundaries make everyone comfortable.

Digital Safety and Privacy

This is 2026. We have to talk about cameras.

If you have a Nanny Cam or a Ring doorbell, tell your sitter. It is incredibly creepy to find out you're being recorded without your knowledge. Most states have laws about this anyway, but from a purely human perspective, just be honest. "Hey, we have a camera in the living room just for peace of mind, hope you don't mind."

On the flip side, set boundaries for their phone. Are they allowed to post photos of your kids on their Instagram? Most parents today say no. Make that a hard rule. "Please don't post pictures of the kids on social media" is a perfectly reasonable request.

Handling the "What Ifs"

What if the baby won't stop crying?
What if the power goes out?
What if someone knocks on the door?

A great babysitters parents guide includes a "Troubleshooting" section.

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• The Crying Baby: Tell them where the extra pacifiers are hidden. Tell them if the baby likes to be rocked or if they prefer the "5 S's" method (Swaddle, Side/Stomach, Shush, Swing, Suck) popularized by Dr. Harvey Karp.
• The Door: Tell them never to open it for strangers, even if they say they're delivering a package.
• The First Aid Kit: Show them exactly where it is. Don't just say "under the sink." Is it the kitchen sink? The bathroom sink? Be specific.

Essential Information Checklist

Since you'll actually be writing this down, keep it simple. Here is what should be on that fridge-mounted sheet:

• Your Full Names and Cell Numbers.
• The Full Address of your house.
• Neighbor’s Name and Number.
• Pediatrician’s Name and Number.
• Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).
• Any Allergies (list them in BIG BOLD LETTERS).
• Bedtime and Mealtime schedule.
• Wi-Fi Password (let’s be honest, they’re going to ask).

Creating a Long-Term Relationship

If you find a good sitter, guard them with your life. The "Guide" helps with this. When a sitter feels prepared and respected, they’re more likely to come back.

Ask for feedback when you get home. "How did the bedtime routine go? Was the toddler a nightmare about the blue toothbrush?" Listen to their answers. If they tell you the kid was struggling, don't get defensive. Use it to update the guide for next time.

Nuance in Discipline

How do you want them to handle a meltdown? If you’re a "time-out" family, explain where and for how long. If you use "gentle parenting" or "time-ins," explain that too. You don't want a sitter using a discipline method that contradicts your parenting style, as it just confuses the kid.

Actionable Next Steps

Don't wait until 10 minutes before you leave to do this.

1. The Document: Create a digital document right now. You can update it easily and print a fresh copy whenever things change (like a new phone number or a different nap schedule).
2. The Walkthrough: The first time a new sitter comes over, pay them for an extra 20 minutes of "orientation." Show them the fuse box, the flashlights, and the tricky door lock.
3. The First Aid Update: Check your kit. Is the infant Tylenol expired? Are there actually Band-Aids in there, or just empty wrappers?
4. The "Go Bag": If you’re out, keep your phone on your person, not in a purse on the floor. Set a specific ringtone for the sitter so you know it’s them.

The goal of a babysitters parents guide isn't to control every second of the night. It's to build a floor of safety and expectations so you can actually enjoy your dinner. When the "business" side of parenting is handled, you can finally stop being a manager for a few hours and just be a person again.

Ensure the "In Case of Emergency" paper is physically taped to a surface. Digital notes are great, but in a crisis, a phone battery can die or a password can be forgotten. Physical paper is the ultimate backup. Update it every six months as the kids grow and their needs change. Be the parent that sitters love to work for because you actually have your act together.