Looking After the Grandkids While the Parents are on Holiday

Their parents need a break and you have agreed to take care of the grandkids while they are away for a week or two. Looking after them full-time is going to be fun but also a bit of an adventure in that there are probably other things you may need to manage as well like paid work, housework, caring for your own parents, club commitments and interests as well as time for yourself. 

The key to a happy and successful time is good planning and knowing your limits by only committing to what you know you can do.

Here's a checklist to help set up this time to be a success:

1. If there are things you can't or don't want to give up doing like regular medical appointments, visiting a sick relative or going to a club, arrange alternative childcare if you need it to be able to carry on doing those things.

2. Find out the grandkids usual routines – for school, sports and school days and weekend bedtimes, school lunches, pet care etc.

Kids love routine so the more you can keep these going, the smoother life is likely to be. Routines like drop off and pick up times for school, after school activities, bed times and dinner are all important. 

If sports games or club activities are across town and you don't feel comfortable or safe driving that far in rush hour, see if another arrangement can be made e.g. another parent take them and drop them home. Make sure you have the telephone contact details of the people involved in these kinds of arrangements so if something goes awry, you can contact them.

3. Find out what chores they do

Children love feeling important so find out what simple chores they do around the house to help out.

4. Find out who is likely to visit while the parents away

Cleaners and lawnmower services, the pool guy – best to know before they turn up, especially if they require payment and the grandkids' parents have forgotten all about it.

5. Talk to the grandkids parents' about discipline – what they usually do to encourage good behaviour and how they want you to manage disobedient, poor or challenging behaviour.

6. Have a back-up plan for sickness or accidents – Have the contact details of their usual GP and clear directions on any medications. Get clear advice on how and when the parents want to be contacted if something goes wrong and also, if and when, they will call home. 

7. Talk about money – If payments are required for school trips or after-school activities etc, make sure the money is provided or come to an agreement as to how this will be paid. Agree how food shopping, school bus or train passes, sports costs will be paid in their absence.

8. Get the babysitters telephone details – so you can go out if you have to or want to and enjoy some time out.

9. If there's going to be a challenging time of the week… For instance, if an important religious holiday crops up while they are away and you are religious and your grandkids' parents are not,  discuss how this can be managed.

Arrange for some support in terms of other family or a family friend to come over.  

10. In any case, it is good to have someone to call for moral support if things go badly and you need a helping hand.

11. Set up fun things…

…that you will all enjoy in the weekends and take advantage of this time to get to know your grandkids better and bond with them.