Vacation sans kids

[GreyhoundsRUs]

What do I need to get in order before leaving them for 5 days?? ILs are staying at our house (as opposed to kids going to theirs), so what info do they need?


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod

[Thirteen]

Favorite snacks and foods (maybe a list of "go-to" combos that are hassle free)

A list about routines, a typical day, and then possible activities to fill the big gaps.

Document with pediatrician, ped dentist (if applicable), etc. It also wouldn't hurt to have some sort of power of guardian document, in case of medical emergency (I am not trying to scare you!).


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[ladymoreta]

MIL still makes fun of me for my 5 pages of instructions I left with them the first time... I'd write down a schedule of times feedings/meals, naps, and bedtime usually happen, then tell them they can adjust it if they want. It sucks to get them off schedule; DS was overtired, grumpy, and barely slept for a week afterwards, but grandparents are going to do what they want anyway, so you might as well tell them it's okay.

Other than that, make sure you have extra supplies and foods and snacks for A, and they should be just fine!

[Deebs]

Ideas of go-to snacks, meals, etc (my kids are picky, so maybe this isn't always necessary)
Medical release form
Basic schedule
Number to someone who lives near you, in case they need local help

[Vanquisher]

You need to leave these phone numbers and addresses and have them handy.

Pediatrician
Hospital
Urgent Care or Nighttime Pediatrics
Poison Control
Dentist
Vet, if you rant boarding your dog
Your cell phones

Leave a signed letter giving medical authority to them to seek treatment. Your phones should be on the letter, advising to consult you first, but if you are unreachable, you give consent for medical treatment.

You need to have a will.

You will need to leave insurance cards, and any membership cards they might need.

Cash.

Leave a map/list of important destinations in your town
The closest grocery store
A few local restaurants/ delivery
Places they may want to take the kids.

You need to leave a daily schedule outline for each child. What they typically do, what they eat, their routines.

Leave prepared foods or easy to prepare foods, a stocked fridge and pantry. Leave an over abundance of supplies - diapers, wipes.

Have some children's medicines or anything they take regularly available, and enough of it. Make sure to leave instructions on any regular medications, and ask them to call you about giving Motrin or Tylenol, etc.

Stop the mail, so they don't have to worry about it.

If you have an alarm system, leave instructions for it.

Install the kids car seats in the vehicle they will be using.

Do a "tour" of your home to show them where to find things. The water shut off, the furnace, the stroller, the breakers.

[SuzySunshine]

Heidi's list is a great and exhaustive - we didn't have a will the first time we left the kids but we wrote out a letter stating our guardian intentions, had it witnessed and kept a copy in the house while also sending a copy to the guardians. I know it probably wouldn't have held up in court but it made everyone aware of our wishes.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Thanks, guys! I usually leave a written set of instructions, but this is the first time we can't just drive back in case of emergency Thankfully, they know their way around town and our house, so that is easy. They probably won't take the kids anywhere (not kidding - their words, not my preference). It is going to take both of them to "handle" the girls, and in comparison to their peers, the girls are easy They are also going to be up for a few days before we leave to get the final run-down (since H changes a ton from month to month). (Have I mentioned that I'm so freaking excited to go??)

Also, is it weird that only DH calls to check on the girls? I work really hard at letting it be OK that things aren't done my way, but I actually am more relaxed if I don't know what's going on...


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod

[Vishenka69]

I also left an extensive 2 pg list of instructions but my parents ended up doing things their way.
If you trust the grandparents to keep kids safe and healthy, I agree with letting go. My mom emailed us photos every day, which we really appreciated.

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[moonlight]

I'm so jealous! Enjoy and and I hope you get loads of time to relax.

[Vanquisher]

My list wouldn't be instructions, per se. More like, I'm leaving this in case of emergency. I'd be totally fine with flexibility on the part of the grandparents.

[HouseofWool]

Gah - because we live in the same town as my parents and my sister, I don't really leave any instructions other than how to contact me... But, that is because everyone knows the kids so well. And my sister and I use the same pedi and all of us use the same dentist, so no one would blink an eye if my sister came in with my kids or vice versa. And the providers know all of us well enough that it wouldn't be an issue for consent.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

My list wouldn't be instructions, per se. More like, I'm leaving this in case of emergency. I'd be totally fine with flexibility on the part of the grandparents.

Oh, they WANT instructions. But then they don't follow them...:thud:


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod