Swap Your Kids and Get More Time to Yourself

What’s not to love about a double-playdate?  The grown-ups get to gab while the kids get to play together. But what do you do when you’ve had enough chat and you just need to get something accomplished?

A babysitting swap: you watch my kids, I watch yours.

My friend Elizabeth and I have been swapping for months. Instead of our sitting there watching our own toddlers in our building’s playroom, we take turns doing it. While I’m watching her little boy, she’s working out or doing errands. While she’s watching my little boy, I’m writing.  :-)

Flexible and Expandable

You could exchange twice during the week (like we do), you could alternate weeks, or even do it on weekends with another family.  Things are going so well with our swap that Elizabeth and I have started another swap with a third person, so each parent is on duty a third of the time, instead of half the time.  Even more time to yourself!

Don’t Sacrifice Your Social Life

I have to admit, I do miss the gabbing. But when you don’t have the luxury to pay for childcare and you have things to get done, it’s one of those little trade-offs you make.  To make sure you’re not all work and no play, make a standing weekly date to meet a friend at the playground.  You’ll get more out of it if you feel you’ve gotten something done in the meantime.

Swap vs. Co-op

A larger, more formalized version would be a babysitting co-op. In a babysitting co-op, a group of parents exchange babysitting time using a point system. Earn points when you sit for someone else; spend points when someone sits for you.

I’ve been a member of three babysitting co-ops and founded two, so if there is no such group in your area, I’ll show you how to start one in a series of upcoming posts.  (Subscribe for free to Frugal Mama.)

To get your feet wet in the meantime, try swapping with a friend during the week or another family on the weekend.

Tips for Starting a Babysitting Swap

• Pick a friend who has children of similar ages as yours, and who your children like playing with. The better they get along, the easier for you.

• Make sure you are comfortable with your friend’s discipline style and safety standards (like child-proofing her home).

• Bring a snack, drink and diapers for your child, or agree to provide that for each other.

• To preserve order in your house, try meeting in an enclosed park or an indoor play area.

• Iron out possible problems before you start. What will you do if someone is late in dropping off or picking up?  What if children are sick or an unexpected sibling has to come along?

One of the beauties of a swap is that it is informal, but discussing ground rules up front can help smooth the road ahead.

Have you been part of a babysitting swap? What has gone well, and not so well? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

You also might like:

1. How to Get More Out of Your Babysitting Swap
2. New Yorkers Embrace Babysitting Co-ops: Should You?
3. How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 1
4. How to Organize a Clothing Swap (at Buttoned Up)
5. Ever Been to a Kids Clothing Swap?