If you want to enjoy an evening out and ensure that your kids are in good hands, plan ahead.  Don’t wait to hire a babysitter until you're already on location and you feel you don’t have any options other than canceling your plans or going through with them and not feeling great about leaving your kids.

Here are some tips for planning ahead:

• If you’re going to a resort, inquire about a kids’ club where children can go for extended periods of time and are supervised by trained staff.  All-inclusive resorts often have kids’ clubs, which may even include some outdoor activities for older kids.


• If you're staying in a hotel, some have child care services onsite.  Visit the child care center unannounced the day before or the afternoon before you drop off your kids.  Look around and make sure you're comfortable with the surroundings and that the staff looks attentive, the environment appears safe, there aren’t too many kids (about a 1:6 adult-to-child ratio for toddlers and 1:3 for younger kids), and that the kids are engaged in activities rather than just watching TV.


• If a hotel does not offer child care, visit Child Care at Care.com to find a drop-in babysitter. Just as you would research your local care options at home, make sure to put a list of interview questions together regarding child care services when you’re on vacation. Make sure to check out our Articles and Resources for tips on hiring a caregiver. On the day you're planning to go out, have the babysitter come an hour ahead of time so that you can be around while your kids are getting to know her.

It is possible to find child care and take time for yourself when you're on vacation—it just requires a little planning.

Cheers,

Sheila