4 Golden Rules For Grandparents Who Do Babysitting

Kids love their grandparents. They find them fun to be with. Unfortunately, when it’s time for them to babysit, they overlook the rules. There are rules for grandparents babysitting and you have to make sure they’re rolled out, no matter what.

The hardest part about having your folks babysit your kids is to ensure that they follow the house rules. In an ironic way, they’re in a position to take orders from you. That could be very difficult for both you and your parents.

It could be more difficult if you’re dealing with your partner’s parents. Rolling out the house rules to your in-laws is downright scary and nerve-racking. Nonetheless, it just has to be done.

It could be more difficult if you’re dealing with your partner’s parents. Rolling out the house rules to your in-laws is downright scary and nerve-wracking. Nonetheless, it just has to be done.

No matter who is babysitting your kids, there are house rules. More so, if the babysitters are your parents.

Here the 4 golden rules for grandparents babysitting.

4. Don’t Spoil Them

This is definitely one of the golden rules for grandparents babysitting. They should not spoil your kids. Although it could be easier said than done, you have to be very direct in telling them to stick to the house rules.

Usually, kids get away with a lot of things when grandpa and grandma are around. That could be quite conflicting when it’s time for them to babysit because most the house rules might end up being ignored. Related Read: Save Now With An UrbanSitter Coupon

For example, your kids can probably get away with watching more tv when grandma and grandpa are around. Also, they might get away with eating more junk food than they usually should.

The question is, what can you do to avoid such scenarios? To start with, you can lay down all the house rules.

The question is, what can you do to avoid such scenarios? To start with, you can lay down all the house rules. Don’t be shy, do it. Just because they’re your parents, doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

It’s a fact that grandma and grandpa are destined to spoil your kids. Some grandparents actually think that they have the right to do so. They do the spoiling so that they can leave the disciplining part to you. When that happens, it’s gets pretty tough for them to follow the rules.

Ideally, you shouldn’t even have your parents or in-laws babysit your kids. After all, you can now find professional sitters. As a matter of fact, you won’t even have a hard time finding a last-minute sitter nowadays.

Nonetheless, if you have to ask them a favor, then make sure they follow through with the house rules, which clearly includes that they shouldn’t spoil your kids. Related Read: Get A Discount On Sittercity Now

3. Stick To Their Bed Time

It becomes a holiday when grandma and grandpa are around. The kids love it. Again, that could be a problem especially if it really isn’t a holiday.

Hence, that’s the reason why one of the golden rules for grandparents babysitting is for them to stick to bed time. No excuses on this one golden rule, especially if it’s a school night.

You need to be upfront with your parents or in-laws about bed time. If your kids have to be in bed by eight in the evening, then say so.

You need to be upfront with your parents or in-laws about bed time. If your kids have to be in bed by eight in the evening, then say so. Tell them how important it is for your kids to sleep on time. This way, they will understand how serious you are with this particular rule. Related Read: Should You Use Sittercity Or Care.com?

2. Be Transparent

Here’s one of the golden rules for grandparents babysitting that’s not tackled too much. Most of the time when grandparents end up babysitting, there’s not much transparency from them. They just come and take over. They don’t bother to lay down their own expectations.

So the point here is that you should have them lay down their expectations as well. Don’t consider yourself to be the only one who has rules to follow.

So the point here is that you should have them lay down their expectations as well. Don’t consider yourself to be the only one who has rules to follow. Related Read: Which Is Better: UrbanSitter Or Sittercity?

Before you ask your parents or in-laws to babysit, sit down with them and have them voice out their expectations as well. You will be able to avoid any issues in the long run if you take some time to do this.

1. Accept Compensation

This is one of the most sensitive rules of grandparents babysitting. Nonetheless, it’s important for them to accept payment. Even if they don’t want to, you need to compensate them somehow. It may not be in a form of financial compensation, but they should be compensated.

This part could be pretty tricky since most grandparents might even get offended. However, it’s important for them to be compensated so that they will understand that they’re’ doing a job and not just fulfilling a favor.

Accepting some form of compensation can also help establish the fact they are employed by you. That will help a lot especially when it comes to the part where they have to uphold the house rules on your behalf.

Accepting some form of compensation can also help establish the fact they are employed by you. That will help a lot especially when it comes to the part where they have to uphold the house rules on your behalf.

No matter how lovable grandparents are, they also have to uphold the house rules when they’re in charge. That’s the reason why these golden rules for grandparents babysitting are crucial.

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Gigi Hernandez

It used to be the case that I would babysit for families. These days, I’m the one hiring sitters to watch over my little girl. LOL! How time flies. My mission now is to share some of my insights so that other moms get to benefit from my experience with babysitting. Read More