What to leave your sitter

The best sits start with a great hand-off. Five minutes of prep means your sitter spends the evening caring for your kids instead of texting you questions, and you spend it actually enjoying your night out. Here's the checklist our happiest families swear by.

How to reach you (and your backup)

Your cell number, your partner's, and one local backup: a neighbor or grandparent who can be there in fifteen minutes if you can't. Note where you'll be and roughly when you'll be home.

The evening rhythm

Dinner: what, when, and where it is (fridge, freezer, or on its way). Homework or screen-time rules if they apply. Then the bedtime routine in order (bath, pajamas, teeth, books, lights out), and the exact time it starts. Kids test new grown-ups; a written routine is your sitter's backup.

Food, allergies & medicine

Any allergies, in plain language, and where the EpiPen or medicine lives if there is one. Snacks that are fair game, and anything that's off limits. If a dose is due while you're out, write the amount and time down. Don't rely on a verbal hand-off at the door.

House stuff

The Wi-Fi password (your sitter will thank you), how the TV and thermostat work, where the first-aid kit, flashlight, and cleaning supplies are, and anything quirky: the door that sticks, the dog who escapes, the alarm code. If a sitter is driving your kids, she'll already be Driver Verified with us. Just leave the seats fitted.

The comfort kit

The lovey, the backup lovey, pajamas laid out, and one "in case of wake-up" plan: who they can call for, whether they may have water or a story, and whether you'd like a text or a wait-until-morning note. Busy Feet sitters send you a report card after every sit: bedtime, meals, and the sweet moments included.

Booking with Busy Feet? Your booking collects most of this in the need-to-know, and it travels with your sitter automatically. Book a sit