https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 08:38:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506829 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 14:03:33 +0000 Astro Bee 2506829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our babysitter is a freshman in college, but also a lifeguard/swim instructor and has lots of babysitting experience. She usually eats before she comes but we make sure there is lots of snacks and frozen pizza/fries/perogies in the freezer. We pay her a dollar more than minimum wage and often more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506807 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:51:56 +0000 peaches1038 2506807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! And a frozen pizza is a good idea :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506805 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:50:01 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2506805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I write a bulleted list for reference of the schedule and go over it in person/show them around. I probably give more than needed, but I figure that's better than not enough info (I even write down how to use the remotes, etc). But I do say to do whatever works &amp; don't worry if they don't follow it exactly. For food, we make sure to have some frozen pizza or other microwave foods on hand and encourage sitters to eat whatever they want. $10/hr sounds good to me! Have fun on your date!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506514 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 08:26:51 +0000 brownepiano 2506514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most of our babysitters bring their own food, but I usually try to have some sort of leftovers available in the fridge and let them know they can eat that. </p> <p>I write down what we usually do for bedtime and any specifics that might throw her for a loop. So like with DS, he would not go to sleep while anyone was around to see. So I'd write down, we usually rock DS and sing to him before laying him down, but don't expect him to call asleep while you are rocking him.</p> <p>I tried to write down where things are, but I'd also walk her through everything. In my mind the written instructions were just back up in case it was too much too fast in case she couldn't remember. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506481 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 08:13:17 +0000 snowjewelz 2506481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would give as much details as possible but let her know that she can also use her judgement if something isn't working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506456 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 07:54:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2506456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always appreciated detailed instructions but with the caveat of "do what works for you". So lots of tricks like "we sing this song, he likes this book, this is the order, etc" . Sometimes you never know what will set your child off (babysitter sang rock a bye baby instead of twinkle twinkle little star). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-babysitter-for-nighttime-questions#post-2506406 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 06:58:06 +0000 peaches1038 2506406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are having my boss' daughter babysit our 4.5 month old for the first time tonight. She is a sophomore in college and studying early childhood development. She has lots of babysitting experience. This is our first time leaving him when we won't be back for bedtime. How detailed are the instructions you leave for your babysitters? Also, do you leave money for food? Obviously DS will not be eating. She will be here from 6-no later than 10. I was also thinking $10/hr. He goes to bed at 7:30, so she shouldn't have much to do. We are in Chicago if that matters. Thanks! </p>