It’s an odd feeling to wake up in the morning and know that the only person I have to fend for is my self – an odd, but incredibly relaxing feeling. It happens rarely; only when our kids are encamped at the grandparents so that we can attend a special occasion. The first time we left the lads with my mother-in-law she had a hard time restraining herself from rolling her eyes at my every child-care detail. Now, I lay off the nitty-gritty of my sons’ every nuances; but, there are a few items that I do prepare each time to ensure that everyone’s security is covered.
First up, we leave the loving relative with a medical release form that states that they are allowed to seek medical care and make medical decisions for our sons. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any special care needs, like allergies, be spelled out in the form that you leave with caregivers. They call it an Emergency Information Form (EIF) and it is available for download from their site.
Second, we give the caregiver the lads’ doctor’s number and our insurance information.
Then, for our relatives without children, we give a few more pointers. For example, we step them through how the lads’ carseats work, remind them to return medicines to the too-high-to-reach-on-a-chair cabinet, and to not leave the remote on top of the TV cabinet because our oldest will scale the cabinet to retrieve it.
Each night we call the boys to check up on them and see how their day went. This helps manage their separation anxiety and, um, well, mine too. When they were younger, we used to talk to them at length about what to expect from their sleepovers at the grandparents. Books like “The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s” help get them excited about spending a fun weekend away from the parents. Now, they’re veterans of the sleepover and look forward to them with the enthusiasm that is normally reserved for Christmas morning so the prep time is a little less.
If you haven’t ensconced with your loved one in a while, I highly recommend it. There’s nothing like coffee, a newspaper, and a quiet morning to refresh the soul and the relationship.
Did I leave anything out? What are your tips for leaving the children behind for a vacation?
by Lena Cox, aka MomOfSuperheroes
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The Emergency Department can treat emergency conditions without a permission form, however how you define an emergency can be tricky. If your child needs medical care but it Could wait a few days, your child’s care might be delayed if the physicians don’t have your written permission, and even more awkward, the emergency department might not be able to let your child go home with the person you left them with unless they have written permission that they are in fact in charge.
It’s Critical however, if your child has any special medical needs, that a detailed written description of their medical problems, medications, surgeries, and primary physicians contact information is spelled out and brought to any treating physician.