Babysitting Co-Op

I l @ ve RuBoard

Babysitting Co-Op

The most unusual child care arrangement and perhaps the most difficult to find is the babysitting co-op. A babysitting co-op is formed by a group of parents, often in the same community or neighborhood, who agree to babysit for one another. There is no charge; in fact, it's free with the agreement that you, in turn , will babysit for someone's children when the need arises. You are part of a babysitting pool and sometimes have a large list of parents to call upon when the need arises.

Like anything else, babysitting co-ops have their pros and cons. On one hand, the co-op can be great because you have a working list of 10 or more people that you know who are willing to babysit. But on the other hand, it could be a problem if you don't feel comfortable with some of the parents on the list. Another consideration is that you will be called to reciprocate when your name comes up.

I l @ ve RuBoard