https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:55:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-935277 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:32:23 +0000 Adira 935277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cascademom: It was a "Babysitting Instructions" template for Word! I found it on Microsoft's website. :)</p> <p>@MrsRcCar: Good idea! SMIL actually told me they like detailed instructions, so I feel okay that they won't be offended by these. And when I went to feed Xander at one point, she was like "He's not even fussing, how do you know?? Write this all down for me!"</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: haha, seriously! I just hope that they're clear enough. And watch Xander decide to go completely off his normal routine and be crazy while they're watching him and they'll be all "WTF - you said put him down for a nap after 2 hours but he wanted to stay up for 4!!! What do we do???" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-935183 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:09:06 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 935183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looks awesome. People always says they wish babies come with b instructions and your little man actually does! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-935164 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:03:13 +0000 cascademom 935164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Looks good. I like the formatting of it. Where did you find the layout? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-935115 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:52:09 +0000 MrsRcCar 935115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seems fair enough. Hope you have good weekend. Just remind them that you trust them and love that they are caring for him while you are gone and that you are just trying to make everything easier for them. That way it is more like you are helping them rather then telling them how do things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-935061 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:39:45 +0000 Adira 935061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Alright you guys! Not sure if you can read any of this or not, but these are the instructions I made up for the grandparents. Note: I erased some of the information like where we're staying, medical info, and emergency contacts. What do you all think? Assuming you can read it... </p> [attach=340/13/mq1a2a.471x600.care_page1.JPG] [attach=340/13/mq1a2c.469x600.care_page2.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898749 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 13:09:41 +0000 Adira 898749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: haha, my parents watched Xander for an afternoon and wanted to take him for a walk. I had to show them how to use the car seat because apparently they didn't have a 5-point harness when we were babies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898718 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 13:03:36 +0000 swurlygurl 898718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds good to me! Besides leaving any additional contact info, too much advice can be overwhelming. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898680 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:54:27 +0000 blackbird 898680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Instructions for new fangled baby items! My mom couldn't figure out a Velcro swaddle....or the swing... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898664 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:50:44 +0000 Adira 898664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarbear: Thanks for sharing your experience!! Glad to hear everything went well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898658 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:49:31 +0000 Adira 898658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Good point!!! They'll probably be annoyed with my detailed instructions and think I'm being anal, but at least that will give me a little more peace of mind! And then if they forget what they're doing, they'll have something to refer to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898655 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:48:44 +0000 GrapeCrush 898655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: we left him from a Monday night to a Friday night. We basically gave the same instructions like bottle when he wakes, then 3-4hrs after that and when bedtime was and what we do. We didn't get into too many specifics because he woke up whenever he wanted as well lol we left the pediatricians number and his insurance card...just in case. I never thought to leave a note saying it was ok for them to act in our place because at the pediatricians office both our mothers are on file giving authorization to talk to them. Everything went well. They said they were glad we put on there how to get him back down if he woke in the middle of the night, they had to use it lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898641 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:45:54 +0000 heffalump 898641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Yes.... I feel like it's better to leave a detailed list. If they don't need it, they don't have to read it. But better that it's there then them calling all the time to ask you dumb questions and freak you out about them not knowing how to take care of LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898611 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:38:13 +0000 Adira 898611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Honestly, I'm not sure if my in-laws will be offended or not! It's Hubs' dad and step-mom. The dad raised two kids, but the step-mom doesn't have children of her own. I know they've watched my SIL's kids a lot, but I'm not sure how young or for how long. Plus, I'm not sure they've watched an infant who took breast milk at all. I know my SIL breastfed one of her kids for a little while, but I'm not sure for how long.</p> <p>Which reminds me - I'll need to leave instructions about how to warm the breast milk AND when to take the frozen stuff out of the freezer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898592 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:33:58 +0000 autumnlove 898592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I leave emergency numbers and her medical card. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898570 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:28:33 +0000 heffalump 898570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My in laws tend to get offended if I leave them written instructions. That being said.... I still do it if I feel like they need it. I realize they raised two kids, but those kids are different then mine and they have different schedules, routines, and personalities. And I will give details. </p> <p>They've watched her enough now that I don't have to write.... but they still forget simple things. Like the last time they put her to bed they left her milk sippy and used toothbrush out in her room. Luckily she didn't have a fit about it.... she likes everything to be cleaned up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898555 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:24:54 +0000 Adira 898555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pelikila: Good point. He can only have half a dosage of the infant tylenol, so I'll want to point that out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898551 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:23:19 +0000 pelikila 898551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd add if for some reason a fever pops up, what dosage is acceptable for tylenol. They may not be up on the weight/dosage recommended these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898540 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:20:42 +0000 Adira 898540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buffalove: Thanks for the details! That's a good idea to include it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898533 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:19:02 +0000 buffalove 898533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: the medical release just said "we hereby give permission to xxxx to stand in loco parentis for the care of xxx. they have our express permission to make all decisions for health and welfare"</p> <p>my attorney said we'd be called anyways if there was a problem since we live in the age of cell phones, but it took 2 minutes to write, print, and sign, so i didn't feel like it was overkill (and i'm an overly laid back person!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898495 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:05:00 +0000 Adira 898495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buffalove: Did you do the medical release yourself or did you find a template? I'm not sure how to do this. Do you think it's necessary for just a weekend away? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898489 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:02:04 +0000 buffalove 898489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>on the pediatrician's # note, I also left our insurance cards and a medical release just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898471 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:51:53 +0000 cascademom 898471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: They've been super helpful. I keep them in a file folder on the dining room table. We've had a couple of different babysitters. Last Friday was the first one who followed our instructions to a tee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898460 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:48:50 +0000 Adira 898460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cascademom: Oh! Thanks for reminding me about those printables! That's a good idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898448 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:45:45 +0000 Adira 898448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Ideally, that's what I would do! But Xander's still a little unpredictable about what time he wakes up and might wake up hungry anytime between 5:00 and 6:00. If I fill out a schedule assuming at 6:00 a.m. wake-up, and he wakes up at 5:00, will my schedule with times throw them off? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898446 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:45:19 +0000 cascademom 898446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For babysitters, we have some Hellobee printables as a guide for routine, care and phone numbers.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/20/printable-emergency-form/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/20/printable-emergency-form/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2011/12/08/bedtime-routine/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2011/12/08/bedtime-routine/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2011/11/23/nap-routine/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2011/11/23/nap-routine/</a> </p> [attach=1889/13/mp9nyt.449x600.2013-03-15-08.18.24.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898443 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:44:21 +0000 regberadaisy 898443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: second this. At that age they roughly ate and slept at the same times every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898442 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:44:03 +0000 Adira 898442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarbear: Oooh, glad to hear about your experience! How did it go?</p> <p>@looch: Oh, good point about the burp.</p> <p>Also, I wonder if I need to write out instructions on bottle feeding, or should I just verbally mention to them about paced feedings and/or making sure to burp him during the feeding so that it lasts about 15-20 minutes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898440 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:43:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 898440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I left a very detailed basic "schedule" from wake up to bedtime for them to follow. I think it was easier for them to say, 'ok its 10 am, time for a bottle" then to have to calculate, its been about 3 hours since the last feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898432 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:40:54 +0000 GrapeCrush 898432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We left DS for the first time when he was 6 months and basically left what you left. but I second @regberadaisy: about the pediatricians number and what to try if they are having trouble napping/sleeping. that's what we did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instructions-for-grandparents#post-898431 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:40:32 +0000 regberadaisy 898431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: haha when it's the grandparents, YES! I think they will have no idea of his routine and tricks/tips. More is better! ;) </p>