The kids are back in school, after having just had a week off for spring break.  And this time, we blew it.

In the past, we either had a nanny (college graduate, working towards teaching credential) or my husband or I home during breaks.  This time, we had a much younger babysitter (high school graduate), and things kinda fell apart.

Its not the sitter’s fault.  She’s been our sitter for about a year now, and she’s a wonderful young lady who loves our kids, and isn’t freaked out when they get a little nutty.  But… this was her first time doing “full-time” baby sitting, and we did not prepare her anywhere near enough.

So, for future reference, this is how I will prepare any ‘full day’ sitter we hire.

1. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep the sugar content to a minimum.  I know its a shock to you, but when you thought you were giving them a glass of healthy OJ, you were actually loading them up with 24 grams of sugar.  THEN, you took them to McDonald’s where they had a Sprite.  THEN you gave them ice cream (with Magic Shell!) for a treat.  Once you left, they were little sugar crazed maniacs!
2. Map out a plan of attack for the day/week.  Figure out what activities you’re going to go to and when.  My kids desperately need structure, and they need to see that you have a plan.
3. While I don’t expect you to be as strict as I am, don’t allow them to run wild.  At the very least, make them clean up after themselves, and show good manners.  Otherwise, when I get home, “the law” hits them like a mack truck, and all heck breaks loose.
4. No, they cannot go out to the garage by themselves and get toys.  Trust me.
5. When they’re playing out in the backyard, you need to be out there with them.  Otherwise, the neighbor will start finding stuff the kids threw over the fence in her pool filter.
6. Don’t turn up the volume too loud on the TV.  It overloads my kids’ senses.
7. And did I mention about the sugar?  Seriously.  One treat.  That’s it.

Did I miss anything?