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Baby-sitting Co-op Basics
A Way to Find Sanity-saving Free Time
By Kendeyl Johansen
"Participating in a co-op helped us to find affordable, reliable and available baby-sitters, as well as a way to connect with others in the community," says Maureen Ehlbeck of Atlanta, Ga. Her 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter love playing with other kids as their mom baby-sits.
Starting Your Own"Co-ops work best when members live close to each other. You'll be reluctant to accept a baby-sitting job that requires an hour's commute each way," says Ann Douglas, author of The Unofficial Guide to Childcare (Wiley, 1998). Shelley Franco, of Erie, Pa., participates in a baby-sitting co-op consisting of families of medical students. "Co-ops are a real bonus when you know few people in your community and you have little money to adequately compensate a sitter," she says. She feels good leaving her two sons knowing they're having fun playing with friends.
Successful clubs can be started with as few as three members, but between 10 to 20 participants is optimal. More than 20 members may breed confusion, while less than 10 participants can cause sitter availability gaps. To avoid confusion, Douglas recommends developing clear rules that members can agree on and documenting them.
Visit a potential caregiver's home prior to having her watch your kids. Observe how she interacts with your kids and her own. Douglas recommends watching for the following red flags:
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