Getting Organized for Childcare

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-07-12 15:09:57.278572-04:00

A plumber wouldn’t show up for work without a wrench in his toolkit. And a carpenter couldn’t do her job without a good hammer. Professionals need tools. And so do grandparents who provide childcare for grandchildren. It doesn’t matter how often or for how long you look after grandkids. You’ll do your best if you bring along some basic gear.

Some grandparents bring books or a craft project to entertain grandchildren during an evening of babysitting. Others pack favorite recipes if they’re staying for a week or more. A grandparent who provides daily childcare may rely on a comfortable pair of shoes to chase after toddlers. These tools are nice to have. But they aren’t the most important items in a grandparent’s toolkit.

Information—and lots of it—is what grandparent childcare providers need most. Having this information makes grandparents feel more confident. It helps grandchildren feel more secure. And it lets parents relax!

Ruth Meyer Brown is a grandmother who babysits her grandchildren for weeks at a time. During the course of these babysitting adventures, Brown has learned many lessons about the best approaches to childcare—including ways to encourage good behavior, plan child-friendly meals, have fun, and stay organized. She writes about all of these lessons in her book, “A Grandmother’s Guide to Babysitting.”

Brown says that being organized is the key to being a good babysitter. And having the right information is the key to being organized. Here’s some of the information to include in your own toolkit, says Brown:

Contact Information

There’s a good chance you’ll need to talk to your adult children while you are watching their kids. Have parents’ contact information handy so you don’t have to search for it. Write down office, cell and pager numbers. If parents are traveling, get the phone number of the hotel or home where they’re staying.

Your contact list should also include names, addresses and phone numbers for:

The children’s doctor and dentist.
The local hospital and pharmacy.
The poison control center.
The fire and police departments.
The veterinarian, if the children have a pet.
The children’s schools and after-school programs.
Neighbors who can lend a helping hand.
Coaches, scout leaders, and others who work with your grandchildren.
The plumber, electrician, and furnace repair person, just in case something breaks.

Be sure to get directions to the places where you’ll have to drive.

Emergency! Emergency!

One of the most important pieces of paper in your toolkit will be a “Letter of Permission.” This letter should say that you are responsible for your grandchildren for a specified period of time. It should also give you permission to seek medical and dental care for them, and to deal with all school-related issues. A parent should sign and date the letter. Keep this letter handy in case a doctor or teacher wants to see it.

You will also want to have:

Copies of your adult child’s insurance cards.
A list of prescription drugs the kids are taking, who gets what and when.
A list of allergies that the children have.
The location of the first aid kit.
Medical information for children who have chronic illnesses like asthma or ear infections. How should you treat these illnesses if they occur?

Your Grandchildren’s Routines

Routines make little ones feel safe and secure. They also make the day go more smoothly. That’s why it’s important to learn as much as you can about how your grandchildren get through each day. For example:

When do the children wake up? Go to school? Go to bed?
What are the morning and evening rituals?
What do the children eat — and what shouldn’t they have?
What after-school activities do the children attend? Do you have to drive them?
When does homework get done?

There’s a lot to learn and remember. Write down as much of the daily routine as you can. Review it with parents before they leave. Ask questions!

The Animal Kingdom

Chances are your grandchildren have a pet. If you’re lucky, that pet is a well-behaved cat. But it could be an energetic dog or an exotic reptile. Who’s in charge of this pet? If it’s you, find out exactly what you’re supposed to do. Don’t want to babysit Spot or Whiskers? Speak up before you arrive. Ask parents either to assign pet care to a grandchild, or to call the kennel.

Soccer Grandma?

Your grandchildren may have busier schedules than you expected. Ask for a master calendar of all the things they have to do while you’re on duty. Do you need to drive the children to sporting events, practices, scout meetings or doctor’s appointments? Better get directions.

Enforcing the Rules

Don’t want to be the “heavy” when you’re watching your grandchildren? Let their parents make the rules. But be sure to get lots of information about those rules before parents leave home. For example:

How much television can grandchildren watch? What shows are approved?
When can a child use the phone and Internet?
Are school-age children allowed to go to a friend’s home after school?
Can the kids ride their bikes to the local park?
Are teens allowed to drive? What’s the curfew?

You’ll think of more questions. Write down the answers!

What about the House?

Are you providing childcare at your grandchild’s house? Be sure that you know something about that house. Find out where the keys are—the ones that open the front door, cars and storage areas. Know the location of the thermostat, fuse boxes and main water connection. Learn about the alarm system. Locate flashlights, candles and matches in case the lights go out.

Have fun!

You take on lots of responsibility when you provide childcare for grandchildren. It can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, says Brown. As long as you’re prepared—and you bring your tools along—your time with your grandchildren will be fun and productive!

AARP Resources

Books for Kids and Grandkids
Consider putting some of these books in your grandparent toolkit.

The Gene Pull
There’s nothing like having grandchildren around to make you interested in family tree. Here are some tips for tracing your roots without losing your mind.

The Role of Grandmothers in Developing Countries
Grandmothers throughout the world play important roles in the family, including providing childcare.

Other Resources

A Guide to the Business of Babysitting
Need a quick review of childcare basics? Check out this guide by the University of Illinois Extension.

A Child Care Provider’s Guide to Safe Sleep (PDF)
Tips for preventing Sudden Infant Death syndrome.

Foundation for Grandparenting
The Foundation for Grandparenting promotes the benefits of grandparenting.

Books

Find these books online at Borders.com.

“A Grandmother's Guide to Babysitting: Times-Have-Changed Practical Advice and Space for Important Information”
Ruth Meyer Brown, Capital Books, Incorporated, August 2003

“365 Days of Creative Play”
Sheila Ellison, Judith Gray, Sourcebooks, Incorporated, June 2005

“How to Build the Grandma Connection”
Susan V. Bosak, The Communication Project, April 2002