Auntie Takeover: Essential Guide to Staying with Kids Overnight
Staying with kids overnight can be super intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! I recently took some days off work so my sister and her husband could celebrate their anniversary. I kept the kids for 4 days. I’m very fortunate to know the general schedule of my niece and nephews, I am an over-involved aunt after all. But a lot of people aren’t so lucky.
Whether you’re staying with your nieces and nephews, friends kids, or even your grandkids for the first time, there are some basic things to know ahead of time. By asking these questions, or getting this information, your days with the kids will run more smoothly.
Daily Schedule
This is probably obvious, but I like to have a daily schedule when staying with kids overnight. This can include what time they normally wake up, do they take naps or have a quiet time, what time do they typically eat lunch, snacks, dinner, etc. I try to stay as close to their regular schedule as possible.
Even if the kids are super close to you and see you all the time, not having their parents there is different and can throw in some big emotions, especially during nap or bed time. Keeping their routines as close to normal as possible, is key!
Medicine/Allergies/Sickness
Again, maybe this is obvious but be sure to ask if they take any medicine or have any allergies. I see my niece and nephews every day but have no clue what medicines (vitamins, allergy medicine, etc.) they take. My nephews are 8 and almost 7 and are very aware of which medicine they take (great job mom!) but I still like to have it written down just in case.
If you aren’t sure about allergies, be sure to ask! Allergic reactions are nothing to mess with so knowing allergies in advance, eliminates the probability of a late night ER run.
I always ask if anyone has been sick or has any signs of being sick as well. Some kinds get dark circles around their eyes, while others may get a rash from a fever. My youngest nephew, Jet, has suspected cyclic vomiting syndrome and certain things can trigger his vomiting every 20 minutes (being over-tired and congestion). Again, I’m lucky enough to know these triggers ahead of time but if I didn’t, these episodes would be very scary!
Basic House Rules & Expectations
Most families probably have the same basic rules. However, each family is unique and will definitely have special rules. For example, my nephews love to play video games. However, to earn extra video game time, they can do a math worksheet or read.
Knowing the rules, also gives me an idea of where I bend the rules a little without totally throwing rules and expectations out the window. Sometimes I’ll let them stay up “late” or sometimes we will have dessert before dinner. It’s never anything crazy, but it’s a fun way for me to bond with them and take their mind off their parents being gone.
Expect Big Emotions
My niece and nephews are used to me being around. We spend a lot of time together. However, I am not their parents and while we have fun together, usually by the end of the weekend, they’re tired of me and missing their parents. It’s hard for kids to deal with these big emotions, and often won’t know how to verbalize them.
Bedtime can be an especially difficult time, riddled with big emotions. Routines around bedtime are often very consistent and throwing someone new into the mix and make them feel off kilter. If you aren’t familiar with big emotions, check out this post on navigating children’s big emotions.
Plan Ahead
This might be the most important step of staying with kids overnight. Planning ahead. I am incredibly lucky and get to spend an unusual amount of time with my niece and nephews. However, many people don’t. If you’re going to be staying with kids overnight, try to spend time with them before your weekend duty.
If you live close, try to stop by for dinner or a drop by the park and play together. For those who aren’t local. FaceTime is a great way for them to get to know you or, especially if they’re a little older, remember who you are.
Have Fun!
One of our favorite things to do when I’m staying with kids overnight is to have a sleep over. I will either sleep in their room or they will sleep with me. It’s a special treat they don’t usually get to do so it’s the highlight of the weekend.
I also try to play either a fun meal or activity while they’re parents are gone to make it more fun. As my nephews have gotten older, they’re more confused on why they can’t go on vacation too. But doing a special LEGO set, or having a movie night with their favorite candy, definitely helps make it more fun.
Staying with kids overnight can be fun and a great bonding experience! If you have close friends or family members with kids, offer to keep the kids so the adults can have some free time!