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When you leave your kids with a babysitter do you genuinely enjoy your time away?

Maybe I should rephrase that question. When was the last time you actually took some time for your partner and yourself by utilizing the services of a paid babysitter whom you trusted and the kids loved?

Or...are you simply scared to leave your kids with a sitter? (That's okay. It IS scary the first time.)

You already know that regular, quality time away from the responsibilities of parenting can help you be a better parent. But honestly, you'll need peace of mind about your children's care if you are going to truly refresh yourself while you're away.

This is simpler than you think. You can use readily available tools to accomplish this with ease. The first tool you'll want to take advantage of is a babysitter checklist.

A babysitter checklist can ensure peace of mind by helping you keep track of what's most important. For example...

-- Do you worry that your children won't be properly cared for while you're out for the evening? Then use your babysitter checklist to detail what activities, what foods and what schedule you want for your children during that time period. A bonus of this approach is that both babysitter and children will be kept busy while you're away.

-- Do you worry about safety issues while you're gone for a few hours? Put those important numbers such as fire, emergency help, and poison control directly on your babysitter checklist. Always leave a phone number where you can personally be reached. If you have specific safety routines in your home, detail all such information on your checklist and go over it with your babysitter before leaving for the evening.

-- Keep any requests on your checklist specific to avoid misinterpretation. Don't say that movies are okay for the kids to watch...write down exactly which movies are acceptable to you. The same goes for TV programs and music choices, too. (If you need a simple and no-cost babysitter checklist for your own use, please see the author's resource box at the end of this article.)

You will still need to find a babysitter you can trust. I have always found that a personal recommendation is best when it comes to finding a new sitter. Once you've located a new sitter, have a 'test sit' so everyone can get acquainted. You might want to consider hiring your new babysitter to care for your children while you are in another area of your home. Again, use your babysitter checklist to give as detailed instructions as you like, so that your new babysitter knows EXACTLY what is expected of him or her.

One more thing...pay your babysitter well. You are asking someone to care for your most precious treasures and, let's face it, quality costs. If money is an issue for you then be creative with your time away and reduce your costs on that end as opposed to trying to cut your babysitter's salary.

Coordinating and organizing your time away from your children can make such events very valuable for both you and your family. Take the time to find the right sitter and use a simple babysitter checklist to make everyone feel comfortable and secure.