Babysitting Co-op
The Parent Circle Babysitting Co-op is a group of Parent Circle families who exchange babysitting services among themselves. Although technically not free babysitting, the co-op works on an invaluable exchange system of coupons, which costs nothing but your time. Each coupon represents 15 minutes, so if you sat for one child for four hours, you would receive 16 coupons from the child's parents. And new members of the co-op receive 10 hours worth of coupons to get them started! Now you can redeem all those coupons and go shopping, get a haircut and join your spouse for a nice dinner, one that doesn't include chicken nuggets or mac n' cheese.
- How do I join the co-op?
- When you fill out your registration or renewal form, simply mark the box that says "Babysitting Co-op." If it is mid-year and you have decided you want to join because you haven't had a night out in a while, simply e-mail the membership chairperson and let them know you want to be added to the co-op.
- How much does it cost?
- The co-op charges $5, which includes 10 hours worth of coupons.
- Do I need the Babysitting Co-op?
- You need the co-op if:
- You want to have an occasional date with your spouse that involves more than watching a video while eating takeout on the couch.
- You would like a network of parents whom you can call to watch the kids while you have a doctor's appointment, run errands, or get a haircut.
- You want access to reliable and free (!) childcare.
- You would like to build a close friendship with one or more local families, based on taking care of one another's children.
- Does the Babysitting Co-op need me?
- The co-op needs you to:
- Ask other co-op members to sit your children so that the co-op fulfills its mission.
- Sit other members' children in your home or the child's home during weekdays, on the weekends, in daytime, or during evenings.
- Host socials where co-op members meet and learn about one another's needs and capabilities.
- Where do I start?
- First, think about how you would like to use the co-op. Next, think about your availability to sit other members' children, specifically when and where you are willing to sit. Finally, let the other co-op members know your needs and capabilities.
- How do I get to know the co-op members?
- Creating social opportunities to initiate relationships among the members is the job of the co-op chairperson. Babysitting Co-op socials are held at least three times a year to provide opportunities for members to get to know one another. The number of families in the co-op fluctuates from 20-50. Consider sending an e-mail to the co-op membership describing what you are looking for and what you are willing to do. (E-mail addresses are part of the co-op directory.) Follow the e-mail exchange with a coffee or, better yet, a playdate. Another excellent way to let co-op members know what you are looking for is to tell them in a newsletter advertisement, which is free to members.
- If someone sits your child, you are not obligated to sit theirs. However, a two-way exchange often works well because if you feel comfortable letting a family sit your child, that family will likely feel comfortable letting you sit theirs. Over time, co-op members develop informal "networks" consisting of a handful of families who exchange babysitting services among themselves.
- What is the role of the co-op chairperson?
- The job of the co-op chairperson is to facilitate contacts among the co-op members by providing new members with the materials (most notably, the coupons) they need to start using the co-op, circulating a current directory of the co-op members, and holding periodic co-op socials.
- How do I get more information about the co-op?
- Anyone is welcome to attend any of the co-op social gatherings to learn more about the co-op and meet other parents who already belong. Or you can contact the co-op chairperson with your questions.