TTMA overnight babysitters

[sdlaura]

I’m planning to surprise DH with a one-night trip for his birthday. We haven’t been without at least one kid overnight since DS2 was born 10 months ago. We trust our babysitter to do it - she’s in her 20s and a daycare teacher full-time. One complicating factor is that we’ll be in another country (Mexico, about 2.5 hours from here). We’ll have our car and could drive back but border traffic is unpredictable.

How do I pay her? I was thinking of paying her normal rate while she’s with the kids and half of that per hour overnight? Does that sound reasonable, or should we agree to a flat rate?

Also, I plan to fill out a form with our pediatrician that would allow her to bring them in if necessary. I’ll leave her numbers of local friends with kids (some of whom she also babysits for so it wouldn’t be weird for her to call them if she needs something).

What else am I missing?

[covergirl82]

It sounds like you've thought of pretty much everything. I vote for a flat rate for payment. You may want to consider leaving a medical care authority letter at home, also, with your insurance card in case the babysitter needs to go to the urgent care or ER.