From the category archives:

Childcare & Gear

Back (pack) to School

August 2, 2010

We are expecting a baby around July 29 and I’ll be taking some time off to welcome him to the world.  This article first appeared on my family blog, Glitter & Grime, which I phased out when I launched Frugal Mama. August is the Sunday of summer:  when the eighth month rolls around, you know [...]

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How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 2

April 7, 2010

In Part 1 of How to Start a Babysitting Co-op, I talked about defining the boundaries of your group, picking a co-leader and a name, deciding who can join, and selecting your system of tracking points. Once you’ve figured out some of these nuts and bolts, you can move on to publicizing your group and [...]

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How to Get More Out of Your Babysitting Swap

February 9, 2010

In How Parents Can Get More Time to Themselves at Zero Cost at Buttoned Up this week, I write a short-and-sweet list of how to get started trading babysitting time with a friend. Read the full article. You may have already seen my post here at Frugal Mama about babysitting swaps.  Since I wrote that [...]

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How to Start a Babysitting Co-op | Part 1

February 2, 2010

So a babysitting co-op sounds good to you, but there is none in your area.  Why not just start one yourself? The problem is it’s hard to find free advice that really gives you the tools you need to start a babysitting co-op.  Who wants to re-invent the wheel when you can copy what other [...]

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New Yorkers Embrace Babysitting Co-ops: Should You?

January 19, 2010

“As New York City challenges go, securing affordable, reliable child care is perhaps second only to scoring a cheap two-bedroom apartment with laundry, a bathtub and room in the hallway for a stroller,” writes Carole Braden this month in an article for Time Out New York Kids where she interviews me about babysitting co-ops. Here is why [...]

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Are You Spending Too Much on Diapers?

December 6, 2009

Even though we can save an easy $16 per month by scrimping on diapers, sometimes it’s hard to take that step when people are always telling us, “Sacrifice All for Your Offspring,” and “Brand Names Are Better.”  I have to admit, when I walk through Target with a pack of store-brand diapers, I feel those [...]

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Swap Your Kids and Get More Time to Yourself

October 17, 2009

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 [...]

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