EXPECTANT MOMS

• These are your last months to enjoy romantic nights out on the town without worrying about sitters and that little cough you heard in the middle of the night. Go out! Now! Even if you manage to keep a busy social calendar after the baby, there will many logistics to deal with then.
• Your husband owes you a foot massage and a warm bath...with candles! This is the one time you will definitely garner sympathy and support for those aching feet and your sore back. Once the baby comes along, you won't have as much time to take a long bath, let alone light those candles.
• How about a date with just yourself? Try yoga to soothe yourself. I know this isn't supposed to happen, but the first time I tried it, I actually fell asleep! Maybe I didn't know how exhausted I was or I just needed the relaxation more than I realized.
• Another pampering idea: Give yourself a facial or go all out for the real deal. You will not be able to do this again for quite some time, since your time soon won't be your own. Be sure to tell the skin-care specialist that you are pregnant because your skin will most likely be more sensitive; she may recommend something to suit you a little better than your normal regime.

MOMS WITH BABIES

• Have your babysitter visit your home at least once while you are there. The sitter should feel comfortable with your child and his needs. Plus, this allows your child to meet the sitter in a non-threatening way.
• Next, try a test-run with your babysitter. Invite her over for an hour or two to watch the kids when you are getting some odd jobs done around the house or when you are going to just run some errands. Don't try a long evening out her first night on the job.
• Tell your sitter to never walk away from your baby to answer the phone. He should let the answering machine pick up. The babysitter is just that-a babysitter, not a message center.
• Explain the do's and don'ts of bottle-feeding. For example, never prop up a bottle in a baby's mouth. When feeding an infant, who can't hold a bottle himself, always hold the bottle in the baby's mouth.

MOM'S WITH TODDLERS

• Provide a list of food allergies to the sitter, along with a general list of what your toddler should and should not eat. Remind the sitter that food must be cut into bite-size pieces.
• If you have more than one child, give yourself more than enough time to get ready. I used to find myself running around the house trying to take care of my kids and get dressed as the babysitter was walking in the door. This doesn't make for a stress-free evening. Give yourself a break and plan for your babysitter to arrive a few minutes earlier, to give you time to finish getting yourself together while she watches the kids.
• Tell the sitter to beware of older sibling's toys. Older sibling's toys are not age appropriate for a child 3 years or younger because of the likelihood of small pieces and sharp parts.
• Try to prepare your child for bedtime before the sitter arrives. It will take some of the stress off of the sitter and, usually, preparing for bedtime reminds your child that you aren't going to be home for a while (but of course reassure him that you'll be there when he wakes up in the morning).