https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:26:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058635 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 11:50:11 +0000 birdofafeather 2058635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessKas: Wow, what a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058324 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 22:35:54 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2058324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessKas: my mom was in a co-op like this when we were kids, except it operated off of points instead of hours. You got a certain number of points when you joined, babysitting cost a certain number of points, you got additional if there were multiple kids, etc. She loved it and has encouraged me to try to set up something similar once my LO is here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058079 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:20:17 +0000 JessKas 2058079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: I actually only knew one of the other moms when we started the group, and met the other two at the first meeting. We have about 15 members now, and I only knew two of them before they joined. </p> <p>In regards to where the babysitting occurs, it depends on the wants of the sittee and their arrangement with the sitter. I've both watched kids at my house and their house. One mom I know picks a kid up from preschool and takes him to a park so his mom can work at home. It's used for all kinds of needs: here and there day time sitting, regular weekly gigs, and night time dates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058050 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:51:08 +0000 lady grey 2058050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessKas: awesome, that so helpful thanks. So you already knew the other moms when you started the co-op up? Do you generally go over to other people's house so they can go out in the evening while their LO sleeps? Or do you generally have people drop their kid at your house? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058042 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:45:05 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2058042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessKas: cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2058036 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:40:15 +0000 Mae 2058036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessKas: that sounds awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2057996 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:52:23 +0000 JessKas 2057996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 other moms I know through a moms group and I started one. It's been great! We have a secret Facebook group where members post "wanted" ads. Everyone starts with 10 hours for the first child and 5 hours for subsequent children. When using hours it's also .5 time for each child after one (ex: if you sit for a family with two kids for an hour you earn 1.5 hours). We keep track of things using google docs, with one with important info for each member and another with hours. One of the founding members keeps track of the hours every month on that spreadsheet. When someone sits, they email our central gmail with the info from that sit (sitter, sittee, date, hours, number of kids). The member who keeps track earns 4hrs a month. To add new members we have monthly potlucks where interested parties can attends and established members ca get to know potentials. You have to attend two before the decision is made. I think that's it! Quite the novel, haha. Wall me of you have more questions! It's been a lifesaver for me and a really wonderful way to get to know other parents as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2057932 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:03:58 +0000 travelingnanny 2057932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard of a babysitting co-op. I do know some families that will watch each others children to save money. Is it similar to that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitting-co-op#post-2057913 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 15:51:42 +0000 lady grey 2057913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you in a babysitting co op with other families in your neighborhood or town? Do you like it? Any challenges? Give me the basics of how it works, please!</p> <p>I am trying to find one in my new town, but if I can't I'm considering starting a babysitting co-op myself. </p>