How to Swap Babysitting Free and Easy

Is babysitting change short? Desperate for kid relief? Date nights are certainly worth childcare costs, but there are ways to swap babysitting that are free and ridiculously easy to set up. Read this article and be amazed at how easy finding childcare can be.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Happy Parents = Happy Family

   LIST YOUR PARENTING FRIENDS.
   
   Most couples have a list of friends they have over for parties, barbecue or game nights. Who do you enjoy being with? Chances are, if you enjoy them, you would trust them more than most with your children. Look for generally happy families whose parenting styles match your own relatively closely. Pick two or three families to start with first.

2. CHOOSE WHICH OPTION WORKS BEST FOR YOU:
   
   1. Scheduled date nights at regular times (i.e. weekly, bi-weekly).
   2. Child care on demand.
   
   Be sure to consult your spouse on this babysitting choice!

3. 

   FOR SCHEDULED REGULAR BABYSITTING:
   
   Switch off who watches kids, and who goes on dates. You can do this any way you want. One way is to have one couple watch all of the kids at once. The kids play together making it easier, and if you have three other couples you just bought three nights of babysitting for free.

4. FOR ON DEMAND BABYSITTING:
   
   Go swapbabysitting's site (link below) and register your group. You don't have to print any baby bucks, send around any childcare registration sheets. This may be the best parenting advice you will get. Find a way to get time away from your kids! See the tips and warnings below for more advice.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure there are clear expectations for the families involved. When will it begin and end? Who feeds the children?
• Communicate any special needs your children may have.
• After a few child care swaps celebrate together as a whole group to build the friendships.
• Use these swaps as opportunities to build children's social skills. Debrief with them afterwards. Make sure the speak politely with the hosts.
• Don't allow someone to babysit your children you don't trust.
• Avoid making people commit for life. Take it one or two months at a time.

Resources

• Swap Baby Sitting's Networking Website
• Montessori Parent's Guide
• 300 Creative Dates
• Save My Marriage
• Go to Maui Together for Cheap
• How to Date Your Daughters

[SchoolOfLife]

on 3/11/2009 Great article, thanks for this one. Keep them coming! :)

[AdirondackTrina]

on 3/9/2009 Great idea...the only way us poor folks get a break! This is a great article!

[chevee]

on 3/9/2009 Great article, I do a little baby sitting myself. (5)