The best house rules have a little bend and flexibility. They need to change when circumstances change. Having babysitters in the house may be a time for a little tweaking to house rules. If parents want the best babysitting arrangement they will provide the sitter with a list of rules that apply during babysitting time. Then there is no guessing. They have it in writing.

Why would the rules have to change? For example, normally the children may be able to have friends over to play. There are different considerations if there is a babysitter in the house. Is the babysitter getting paid by the number of children they are in charge of? That would limit friends coming to the house to play. Other parents may not wish to have their children in the home with a babysitter they don’t know. Will insurance cover accidents in the home of visiting children are there without the home owners present?

Sometimes parents allow children privileges with the microwave and stove when they are home to supervise. This may be a rule that changes with a sitter. Cooking can be dangerous and depending on the situation you may allow only the babysitter to cook while the parents are away. Whatever is decided the rules should be clear.

Treats are fun, but a babysitter with children on a sugar high tends to have unfavorable consequences. Have plenty of healthy choices to offer the children and the sitter. Both may have a tendency to overeat if they are anxious or nervous.

Computer, video games, and television are personal family choices. If the babysitter is not familiar with the tool chances are they shouldn’t be used. AWII controller through a big screen television is a nightmare the babysitter doesn’t want to deal with. If the child is suddenly on the Internet and the babysitter is unfamiliar with your family system things could to astray.

Who is to answer the telephone and what kind of information are they supposed to give away? Many families allow their little ones to pick up the phone and say hello. It may not be the same when the babysitter is in the house. They may feel less comfortable with the situation.

Babysitters are not parents and judgement calls are not thier job. Instructions and rules should be clear enough that they don’t have to guess. Children are tricky. “My mom lets me do it” has worked for others. Great babysitters don’t fall for it.

Bedtime is important and a bedtime routine is essential. This is a house rule that should remain in tact. The babysitter should know the routine and not be hood winkled into something different.

Appropriate language standards should remain as well. Whatever is acceptable in the home is the only language that should be allowed.

Basic common sense rules always apply. Moms don’t let children jump on the beds. Moms don’t let children eat whatever they want. Moms don’t let children order movies on the satellite. If there is a question, just say no.