I am sorry for the late response. If you ask around people that map, you're going to get various answers. *My* method (not the "correct" one!) is to have both a node where the ways cross, as well as change the sidewalk way (where it crosses the road) to a marked/unmarked crossing. 

Here is one I did when I first started mapping if you want to check it out:

https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?lat=32.347172&lon=-97.386256#map=19/32.347171/-97.386256

One that I need to go back and fix in that area is adding curb nodes on each side of the crossing. 

Don't be afraid to reach out again!