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Parents’ Night Out
By Polly | March 13, 2008
Getting away for a few hours with your spouse every so often is a definite must do, but actually getting out the door with your sanity in check can be a challenge. Here are some quick tips to ease the stress and make the transition from loving parents to happy couple easier:
Plug in your cell phone when you start to get ready to make sure it is fully charged while you are gone.
Allow more time than you think you’ll need to get ready. Children always know when something is up or they are about to be left behind and have this incredible knack for suddenly needing EVERYTHING just before you leave. Allow at least an extra 30 minutes to make the transition easier.
Think through in advance everything the babysitter will need to know and do while you are gone. Use a babysitting checklist to help you remember and organize your thoughts. A checklist not only helps you organize your thoughts, but also helps the babysitter remember everything you tell her. In the confusion of the parents leaving and the babysitter arriving it is often difficult to remember all of specific instructions. So help the babysitter out with a checklist.
If your children are anxious about being left behind, read them a story or get them started on an art project before you leave.
Have any specific snacks you allow the kids to eat sitting out on the counter. This eliminates confusion and makes it easier for the babysitter to find them.
Decide early in the day which outfit you will be wearing and if you need to change handbags. Make sure everything is clean and ironed.
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Topics: Conquering the Chaos, Family Organized |