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Home › Articles › Caregivers › Shopping with Toddlers in Tow?

Shopping with Toddlers in Tow?

The Benefits of Starting a Holiday Babysitting Co-op

By Shannon McKelden

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"As a stay-at-home mom I have time, but not much money," says Katrina Britner-Osborne of Burbank, Calif. "Paying $30 to a teenager over and above the cost of the evening (say dinner and a movie) was getting too much for the pocketbook."

Thibadeaux agrees but finds many other benefits also. "For those with young children, the babysitter's kids become playmates so the sit becomes a play date, which alleviates separation issues," she says. "Having other parents as babysitters rather than young teens means that the sitter can drive and also has experience in childrearing."

Another advantage to co-ops over teen babysitters is the hours during which sits are available. "A daytime sitter is an enormous help during the holidays, especially for watching kids kindergarten and younger," Britner-Osborne says. "All the trips to stores and secret shopping and even decorating can be done so much easier. And this is just when you can't have a teenager sit because they are usually still in school during those hours." Sit times can be available daytime and evening, as well as overnighters, depending on the co-op provisions.

Babysitting co-ops are also great choices for moms who don't have family close by to provide childcare. To have other moms sit for your kids generates a feeling of safety.

Britner-Osborne adds that the benefits aren't just about the sitting. "I cherish the friends I've made through the Burbank Kid's Club," she says. "My kids have bloomed into wonderful social beings enjoying the diversity of moms and their kids who come to our house (and when we go to theirs). It's a saving grace to feel your children are being 'mothered' when you are away."

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