Like it or not, when you are away, the babysitter is your children’s first line of defense. Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and a myriad of other things that happen to children will need to be dealt with by the babysitter in your absence. This means that the babysitter needs to know enough about your children specifically and your family, in general, to act on the parent’s behalf in an emergency.

The best way to handle what information a babysitter should know is to assemble a notebook with all of the vital information recorded inside. Having a few tabs that mark the sections of the notebook is a handy way to make sure that needed information can be accessed readily when needed.

The first section of the notebook should have the emergency contact information. The cell phone numbers for both parents needs to be the first thing seen when the notebook is opened. Make sure these are printed in a large font. It would not be a bad idea to make them a bold color, too. As parents, you want to be sure that you are called first or in a critical situation, second after 911.

The notebook needs to have the names, phone numbers, and addresses of family members and trusted friends that can step in if you cannot be reached for some reason. These names should be listed in the sequence of who you would want to be contacted first, second, and so on. The relationship of the person to the children should be included, too.

If you happen to live in a region without 911 service, you will want to include a list of emergency services phone numbers. The police, fire, and ambulance services need to be available to the babysitter. Even if you have 911, you may want these other numbers, also.

Depending on who the babysitter is and how far away you might be, you may need to leave a permission form authorizing the babysitter or one of the others on the phone list to sign for emergency medical needs. Normally, this is not necessary to get emergency care, but it is sometimes better to be safe than sorry.

Include in the notebook a list of any medications that your children are taking. These should be shown by child. Record all allergies that each child has. Especially note allegies to medications if any are know. Medical conditions need to be available with any special treatments that are needed. For example, you might want to list asthma along with inhalers and any other necessary breathing treatments.

The children’s routine should be known to the babysitter. Meal times, bed times, whether the child is potty trained, and what television shows are allowed or forbidden should be listed for the babysitter. It would not hurt to record which closets and dressers hold the clothing worn by each child. Any other pertinent information that you want the babysitter to know and follow should be plainly spelled out.

A list of what you allow and do not allow babysitters to do in your house or with your children should complete the book. Things like letting them know that the children are not to be taken to the mall to shop. Babysitters are not allowed to invite company to your house. Anything like this needs to be recorded in easy to understand language.

The final step is to go over the book with the babysitter before leaving them to care for your children. It should not take more than 5 minutes to cover the material before you leave. For a repeat babysitter, always remind them about the notebook and leave it in a prominent place.