Tips for Leaving a Toddler with a Babysitter

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It can be difficult to leave your toddler with a babysitter, but this is amplified if the toddler doesn’t want to stay with the sitter. Still, it is important for you to get the time away that you need. There are various strategies you may employ to aid in this situation. One of the following may work for you:
Get a loved one as a babysitter
Instead of employing a neighborhood kid that your child does not know, consider tapping into a beloved grandmother or someone that the child already knows and loves. He or she may be uncomfortable with a stranger, but may have a great time with his or her “nana” or someone else that means a lot. He or she may not even think of it as being left with a babysitter, but instead as special time with that person.
If you have no choice but to find someone that is not a relative for a babysitter, then think about who else the toddler knows. If you are taking a mommy and me class, for instance, then maybe the instructor will babysit. Try to find someone exceptionally good with children. Nurse Together recommends having the new babysitter spend some time with all of you together first so that the child can get accustomed to her.
Make it a playdate
If you have a friend who has a little one, then ask if that person can watch with his or her own child. You might be able to take turns helping each other out and not have to incur the cost. The child might think of it as a playdate and not focus on the fact that mommy is leaving.
Provide many fun things for the toddler to do
Toddlers are easily distracted. Let him or her do something special with the babysitter as a treat. For instance, if you limit the television, then you can tell him or her that he or she can watch when the babysitter comes. You can save a special craft or toy exactly for the occasion. You can let him or her have a special food or even a treat.
Go when the toddler is sleeping
It is important to not stop your outings, and getting the child accustomed to having a babysitter sooner rather than later is typically wise. However, if you truly cannot bear the thought of your child crying as you leave, consider making your dates and times out while the child is taking a nap or asleep for the night. Obviously, this is not always logistically possible; however, it may be an option for you.
Leaving toddlers with babysitters can be a daunting task, but you need to take care of yourself as well. The above steps may make this easier on both of you.