If your family is anything like our family, a babysitter is an uncommon luxury. So when I get a chance to have one, I have a list of things that I want to think about before he/she arrives.

1. Straighten the house enough so that she is not overwhelmed by a mess.
2. Make a list of Emergency Contact numbers.
3. List children’s names, ages, and allergies (if any).
4. Prepare a meal ahead or put out some money to order pizza.
5. Have instructions for the tv/remote controls handy.
6. List or put out approved snacks and drinks for the children.
7. Layout the bedtime routine so that it is easy for the babysitter to follow.
8. Be sure to have enough cash to pay when the evening is done.
9. Establish if babysitter will need a ride home or not.
10. Relax and have fun. Don’t ruin a rare evening out by worrying about the small details. Your children will survive even with a belly full of M&M’s and without brushing their teeth for one night.

You can find pages to keep track of your favorite babysitters and a babysitter instruction page and much more in the Family category at ListPlanIt.com.