Sitter Instruction Manual

Recently, while digging through some old computer files, I found a list of instructions for our babysitter from 2000. As you can see below, they were detailed and explicit, in part because we were foisting a 3-year-old and two 2-year-olds on unsuspecting (but excellent) sitters.

The girls who worked for us, now remarkably married (time flies), were mostly recruited from the middle school where Jill was a counselor. It was a good deal for the sitters’ parents, too; we advertised ourselves as the Rockingham County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition.

Tonight’s Routine

If they’re not moving yet, wake everyone around 5:30. You can play outside and neighborhood kids can play in our yard as well, but keep them in our yard.

Eat around 7. Frozen pizzas are out; will take 60 to 90 seconds to heat. Ben likes milk, Emma likes juice and Katharine water or juice. We have self-contained juices in the pantry; Ben needs a cup that has a lid if possible. They’re in the kitchen cabinets or dishwasher.

After everyone finishes eating, get them in their pajamas (Ben likes to wear his pants/blue jeans, and that’s fine). Wash their faces; give them a bath if you feel brave, but it’s not necessary. Then help them brush their teeth.

Don’t give Emma or Katharine anything to drink after dinner.

Let them watch a movie downstairs (probably Rugrats) and aim to get them to bed between 9 and 9:30. (NO LATER THAN 9:30). We have popcorn in the cabinet that already has been popped; they can eat that.

Bed: Read to Ben and Emma (two to three stories minimum), then work on getting them to bed. Ben and Emma will jaw over what they want to take to bed with them. Go ahead and put their books in the bed. Ben likes Buzz or Woody; Emma sometimes likes to sleep with a towel. That’s OK. Read, bed, and leave the light on that is on their dresser. Don’t close their door; they’ll scream.

Katharine needs to be read to as well in her bed. Two to three stories, then flip over her tape and turn it on. Light on her dresser can be on as well.

That’s it. Once you’ve gotten to this point, you’ve made it! Congratulations and we’ll be home soon.