10 Tips For Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver
As a special needs Mom I know how nerve racking it can be to leave your child with a caregiver…especially for the first time.
Max was born with Down Syndrome and later diagnosed with autism and he was our first child. I feel like that’s a double whammy…entrusting the care of my first child who also has special needs to someone other than myself?!
Hey Mama Bears, full disclosure here. There are affiliate links in this post so if you click on the link and buy the product I will earn a small commission. Now that we’re clear on that let’s get back to rocking life with special needs!
Despite the scariness of it there are several benefits to finding a caregiver who is great with your child with special needs you can rely on when needed.
First of all, caregiver burn-out is real.
Taking care of a child with special needs can be exhausting and we could all use a break every now and then.
Plus if you have a partner, date night is a great way to keep that relationship strong and thriving which ultimately helps your child and is fabulous for you and your partner.
Where To Find A Caregiver or Babysitter For Your Child With Down Syndrome
Finding a reliable caregiver that connects with your child with Down Syndrome is not easy but it can be done!
Asking friends and other families who have children with special needs is a great place to start.
Who do they use?
Maybe they have a relative who is great with their child with special needs and looking to make some extra money.
Another great place to ask around is your preschool or elementary school.
There may be a teacher, teacher’s aide or student teacher who would be interested or know of someone who would be interested. We found all of our summer caregivers with the help of one of the teachers at our elementary school. Every single one of them was great.
Local colleges or universities are also good places to look. Send an email to a professor in the special education department and see if there would be an interested college student.
Questions To Ask When Interviewing A New Babysitter For Your Child With Down Syndrome
Leaving your child with someone other than yourself is a BIG step especially for us Mama Bears. Although it’s scary at first remember there are several benefits too.
Once you’ve found a couple of candidates, set up an interview. Invite candidate to your home so you can get a feel for their vibe in your home and with your child or children.
If you’re not sure what kind of questions you want to ask them here are some great interview questions to get you started.
Questions to ask when interviewing a potential babysitter for your child with Down Syndrome.
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It’s all about whether or not the person has the personality, skills, and attitude YOU want.
Now, we love our children and they are precious to us. So make sure to check references and trust your gut.
If you’re not getting a good feeling about someone LISTEN TO THAT.
You know your child best Mama Bear and are the best person to judge who will be a good fit for your child and who will not be.
Once you find a good fit though be sure to treat them like gold. Having a caregiver you trust and your children love is such a blessing for a family.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tips
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #1: Create A Caregiver Binder
A caregiver binder is basically a “How To Manual” for your child.
It’s genius.
I did quite a bit of babysitting when I was younger and I wish families I babysat for had handed me a caregiver binder! It would have made my job SO much easier.
You can put in this binder whatever you think is important.
I would suggest including an…
I would also include a list of important numbers
The poison control center
Your cell phone number
Your partner’s number
Emergency contact number (trusted family member or friend)
Local police station
In addition, make sure your home address is in the binder – in an emergency situation your babysitter may not be able to rattle off your home address to a 911 operator.
Hopefully your caregiver will never have to use these things but I do feel they are important things to include.
The caregiver binder should also include things your babysitter is definitely going to need such as
Medications your child takes, dosages, and the time the medication needs to be given. Also be sure to include where the medications are located.
Allergies your child may have including food allergies
A list of acceptable foods/snacks
A list of foods/drinks your child cannot have or limitations such as no pop/soda after 7pm or no chocolate before dinner.
Bottle schedule. If your child is an infant when should they be fed a bottle and information on how to make/prep the bottle.
Bedtime routine. Include information such as a favorite stuffed animal that must be in the bed, a night light that must be turned on, a song that must be sung, or a favorite book that needs to be read.
Daily schedule. Include when your child eats breakfast, lunch, snacks, and naps.
Creating a caregiver binder can be overwhelming so to make life easier I created a Caregiver Binder printable you can find in the Twenty One Dandelions store.
Print it out, fill it out, and voila…you just made life easier for you and your caregiver!
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #2: Set The Sitter Up For Success
You want to set your caregiver up for success so it’s as stress free of an experience as it can be for your child, your caregiver, and you!
Have the caregiver binder out and ready for them.
Setting out approved snacks or having approved snacks prepped in the refrigerator is a great idea.
If your child is an infant, have whatever your caregiver will need to make a bottle out and ready along with instructions. If you’re going out for the evening try to have your child in their pajamas or at least set out their pajamas for your sitter.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #3: Prepare Your Child
You want to set your caregiver up for success but you also want to prepare your child. Frame it as an adventure…something fun and exciting. Start talking about the babysitter weeks in advance and read books about babysitters or watch kid friendly TV shows about it. Social stories are also fabulous.
Here are a few books you can read to help prepare…
Here’s a YouTube clips you can watch…
If age appropriate, tell your child where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #4: Build Up To It
Have the babysitter come over before they're completely alone with your child.
The first time they come over, stay home but have a project or something you need to work on in another room. Give the babysitter and your child time alone so they can get to know each other.
The second time they come over, leave for a short period of time. Run errands or grab groceries. If all is going well then you can leave your child with the babysitter for longer periods of time.
Yes, this approach is going to cost you more money but in my opinion, it’s well worth it to help make sure this is a success.
Not having to stress about leaving your child with a babysitter and actually being able to leave your child with a babysitter when you need to has a lot of benefits.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #5: Transition Smoothly And Say Goodbye
When the caregiver arrives don’t just hand your child over and leave.
Also don’t sneak out.
These two things can be traumatic for a child. Instead engage your child in an activity and encourage the caregiver to join in. You could have your child coloring at the table or playing with play dough. Your child could be on the floor playing with blocks or dolls or your child could be watching a video on their I-pad.
When you need to leave, say goodbye and if appropriate tell them when you’ll be back. Then get up and leave.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #6: Leave Behind A Memento
If your child is really anxious, leaving behind a memento is a great idea. There are stuffed animals you can record a message with so your child can play it whenever they’d like. I love that this teddy bear has a place to put a picture of you and your child too.
You could just use a regular old stuffed animal sprayed with your perfume or if you think ahead, start sleeping with the same stuffed animal so it smells like you and leave it with your child.
If you want something smaller and perhaps more portable for your child, buy a small felt heart or check out the worry stones for kids made out of polymer clay I found!
They can carry this around in their pocket and rub it whenever they’re feeling a little sad or down or to remind them that you love them very much.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #7: Embrace Shortcuts
When your child is with a caregiver, embrace shortcuts.
PB and J for dinner anyone?! It’s ok if dinner is sandwiches or a frozen pizza or heck even buy DoorDash for your caregiver and child! The less time your babysitter spends making meals the more time they can spend focusing on your child.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #8: Provide An Exciting Activity
Have something exciting for your child to look forward to when the babysitter comes.
I’m a child of the 80’s and I remember my Mom and Dad renting a VHS movie we could watch when the babysitter came. I couldn’t WAIT!
So have a fun activity your babysitter can do with your child such as making slime, doing a fun craft, or making banana splits or ice cream sundaes they can then eat.
You could also buy a new game they could play for the first time with the babysitter or allow them to watch a show they’ve been wanting to watch.
Of course it’s always a good idea to run it by your caregiver. Maybe your caregiver has an allergy to bananas or something!
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #9: Use Visuals
We’re big fans of using visuals in the home to promote independence and create routines. Check out Improving Behavior At Home Using Visual Supports With Your Child With Down Syndrome to learn how we use visual supports in our home and what a positive impact it makes!
Having a visual of your child’s night time routine will help your caregiver and your child by keeping everything as routine as it can be. This is important because many of our kids do well with familiar routines and struggle when those routines are interrupted.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver Tip #10: Stay Positive
Leaving your child with special needs with a caregiver is a big step and one that can be scary and stressful.
Remember, our children tune into our feelings and it can impact how things go so try to stay positive.
Your attitude will have a big impact.
Leaving Your Child With Down Syndrome With A Caregiver For An Extended Trip Or Vacation
If you’re leaving your child with Down Syndrome with a caregiver or a loved one for an extended period of time for a business trip or vacation there are several documents you will want to create and leave behind.
Written authorization or permission letter - This is a non-legal letter authorizing the caregiver to perform certain activities on your behalf such as picking children up from school or daycare and signing a school field trip permission slip or summer camp form.
In the letter you can give a brief overview of your travel plans, include your contact information, and a brief description of your relationship to the caregiver. You will want to leave a copy of this with the school, daycare, and your caregiver.
Medical Consent Letter - This letter gives the caregiver the ability to authorize medical treatment for your child on your behalf. You will want to prepare one for each child so if you have three kids you will create three separate letters.
In this letter be sure to include the contact information for their doctor’s office, contact information for yourself, as well as what medical treatment the caregiver can authorize in your absence. You should also attach a copy of your insurance card to this letter.
Before you leave for an extended period of time decide how and when you’re going to check in with your kids. This way your child knows they will get to interact with you every day. Perhaps you decide on Facetime right before bed at 8pm or maybe a phone call at breakfast time at 7am.
So there you have it Mama Bears! Ten tips for leaving your child with Down Syndrome with a caregiver.
Now, as with anything on Twenty One Dandelions you know you, your child, and your family best. You know what will work for you and what won’t so take away what works and don’t worry about the rest!
If you found this post helpful then be sure to check out….
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Child With Special Needs Medical Appointment
5 Easy Morning Routines Ideas For The Special Needs Mom
6 Tips To Start The School Year As A Special Needs Mom Rock Star
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I’ll send you an email at least once a month AND you’ll get exclusive access to the Mama Bear Crew page which has an IEP goal bank, IEP glossary, and an About Me Medical page.
I hope this post helps you rock this special life.
What tips do you have for leaving your child with a caregiver?
