Hellobee Boards

First I would act really normal and be totally honest. I.E. Mommy and daddy are going to meet some friends and so and so is really excited to read bedtime books with you and put you to bed and we will be home before you wake up!

We've done tons of different babysitters and lo is just bye mom!

The first time might be harder but once she realizes that you really do come back, she'll trust it more.

We'll be using a non family babysitter for the first time but she is one of her daycare teachers. I plan to show DD the Daniel tiger babysitting episode a few times this week. LOL
She brought up the other night during bath that One of her teachers was going to come over to our house to play. And I said "oh, she is?" DD replied "yes, I love her and Ms R loves me too!". We did in fact ask that teacher to babysit, but she was already booked! So I told her, "but guess what "Ms A (another teacher) is coming over next week! Won't that be fun?". She said no. I asked her why and she said "because she's not in my room anymore".

Sigh.

I don't think we're going to talk much about us leaving her with the sitter. But we will talk about the Ms A coming over. I'm fairly certain after we leave that she will be fine.

But good tips to PP about leaving some favorite activities out.

I'm actually surprised but the few times we've done it she's been fine. Mostly we have only left her friends she already knows though, or family. This summer when she was almost two I had to leave her at a hotel with a sitter we never met before, so new person and place, and aside from a super short nap she was fine- I was so pleased and a little surprised. But I think it's probably a little harder as they get older and understand more.

Like @regberadaisy: I recommend the "grownups come back" episode of Daniel tiger. When I pick her up from her drop off program at the gym she always yells "mommy came back!" Because of that show. Then keeps playing because the play room there is way more fun than our house.

I think kids really pick up when you are worried and become worried. I would try to keep your concern to yourself as much as possible. It's super hard. Also even if leaving becomes hard (fussing and such) keep it quick. The longer the transition the hard it is often.

I leave my LO with different baby sitters all the time, he's just started to care at 9 months.

But I've babysat for years and was the first non family sitter for a few families. Having something special to do is a great idea. Also leaving a favorite meal or snack is good.

It's almost always harder for you....

the only babysitters we have used are our former nannies, but even before they started as a nanny, i would have them come for a few hours while i was home so i could get stuff done at home and see how it goes between LO and the sitter. we are in need of another sitter since we moved and only one of our former nannies can make it to our house now and she is not always available. So it will be a first for us to have someone babysit that hasn't spent a significant amount of time with LO and i think i will do the afternoon thing where i am home the first time they come, and then plan a date night for another time if it goes well.