How I would approach hiring a babysitter

As a previous babysitter with a lot of varied experiences, I wanted to lay out how i would approach hiring a babysitter.

1. Contact local church friends, gym friends, or friends for recommendations. At least two weeks ahead, the first time. Get a few names, call them, and decide on one. If they work out, they can give me their general availability and I won’t need as much of a lead time.
2. Laminate the emergency list. I’d laminate an emergency list with numbers, relationships, and names, and use magnets to put it on my fridge. I’d also put one, with a weight on it, in my entryway. This would also include any allergies.
3. Itinerary. I’d stress that it was not important, but here are a list of movies that I know my children are excited/love to watch, so there won’t be any drama or splitting of the group. Also, I’d write down the bedtimes of each child, with their name, and, in order that they go to bed. I’d also include a brief description of the bedtime routine.
4. Designate the eldest child as second in command. I’d let my eldest know that while they have to listen to the babysitter, if the babysitter has to take one of their siblings to the bathroom, they are to assume command. However, they must still follow the babysitter.
5. Two sets of pajamas for each child, toothpaste/toothbrushes on the counter, and bed made. When it was time for the children to go to bed, the potentially distraught child can choose their favorite pajamas, easily access their toothpaste/toothbrush, and get in bed. The prepared books are available and the babysitter can sit and read to each child. It’s important that the floor is easy to navigate in case they have to hold a child in their arms while putting another to sleep and I wouldn’t want them to trip on a car while carrying my child.
6. Bedtime stories. When I was a babysitter, the best method I ever saw for putting the children to sleep, all at the same time, was with tapes. This family listened to Adventures in Odysseuy, but it could just as easily work with a simple podcast on a sleep timer. The children were familiar with the stories, the stereo was quiet but audible, and the children all listened and drifted off to sleep simultaneously. I still am impressed, and it’s been over a decade later, at how effective a podcast or short story with that the children are familar with worked. i also read the children a book or two, but when it was time to sleep, that shift was scheduled by my starting the tape and it worked.
7. Food, drinks, and snacks. Ideally, I’d prepare a couple of cans of drinks including Diet Coke (caffeinated), sprite, and a sparkling water. They could be in liter form, but I’d always preferred when the drinks were sealed in cans so I could be sure no one had taken a swig from them. I’d especially point out the drinks.
   I’d also get some individual ice cream, either bars, sandwiches, or cones. Nothing scoopable. These could be given out to the children or enjoyed by the babysitter after the children are in bed.
   I’d also get the house two pizzas. One with pepperoni and vegetables and the other just cheese. My children would be delighted and the babysitter could eat it with them and later that night when the children were asleep. I’d have the pizzas already picked up and saying warm in the oven and the babysitter could pull them out when I left.
   For snacks, I’d have cheese sticks, fruit bars, granola bars, and apple sauce packets available for the children. However, I’d also have the ice cream available for the babysitter and they could partake in everything else. I’d be leary of providing anything too appetizing for the babysitter that wasn’t available to the children as well.
8. I’d put away all remotes except the main one, and make sure everything was signed in before I left.
9. When I got back, I’d check on the babysitter, the children, and ask how they were while paying the babysitter in bills no larger than $20. I’d also tip them an additional $20 and take them home.

Although they could choose not to come back, I think they’d be happy with coming back to my place.