10.01.2008

Co-op vs babysitter


We've been trying to be better about going on dates.
Remember those?
Just you and your main squeeze...
out on the town with no diaper bags, strollers or sippy cups...
no one to carry or chase or drag...
no one to buckle in or share your dinner with...
(Ok that last one's not true because I made Brad share a pork salad with me at Cafe Rio and everyone teased us for it, sorry dear.)
It really is so great to get away from parenthood
and just be a couple!
Remember why you tied the knot in the first place.
I have issues with how expensive it is for a night out, though.
Dinner- $20, Entertainment- $20, Babysitter- $20...
Who can afford that every week?
I've been scouring the Internet for free things to do and have been pretty successful.
So now I'm curious about babysitting co-ops.
Anybody done one? The idea is to have 4 families in a group. Each family takes a turn hosting all the kids one date night a month but then has 3 date nights off each month. Nobody pays anybody anything. It's all just trade-sies. Think it could work? Can I find 3 other families whose kids I dont mind watching and whose parents I trust to care for my kids?
Who are you 3 other families?

17 comments:

Mary Postert said...

If I had kids, I'd totally be in on that with you. I think it sounds like a great idea and a perfect solution. Maybe in a few years, huh?

LaurenOpie said...

I think we might maybe sort of interested. We do some "baby swaps" with Douger and Allison. Maybe they'd be interested. And as you know Ty and Christy are back in town... maybe we could keep it in the family! :) Aaron and I def try to do our date night weekly. It is hard getting a babysitter and I've become the bedtime nazi and insist on Olivia going to sleep at 8:00 every night no matter what. Maybe I'll have to lighten up a bit.

Auburn said...

I Think the Ellingson Familiy could be a GREAT family. What do you think? We'd love to join ;o)

stephanie said...

we've done it and we loved it. but we've only ever done it with one other couple. the first time was with my brother. they went out on fridays and we went out on saturdays. we did it with our neighbors here for a while, but we only got one date a month. it is a great idea, but you really have to pick the right people. we would totally do it with you!

bubblegumandlipgloss said...

we do it here, it works out really great. we'd do it with you, but we are a little out of your neighborhood. is that lindsay rector in the picture with you guys at the bowling alley?

Heidi said...

i'm trying to set up a swap with nate's sister. She only has one boy- but he is naughty enough to be 2 kids and he is only 1!!!. Tee hee hee. Maybe they would be game. Funky schedule though- she is a nurse.

Summer said...

um... your husbnad is holding my yellow purse. why? no clue but tell him thanks?!

And we havn't done a co-op and might think about it, but you know how I've expressed my commitment thing.;) And our kids really aren't a fair match. Plus you've heard all the horror stories. he-he

Unknown said...

If you can get Brad to convince Wes that Finn can be away from us for 2 seconds, I AM IN. I have a big play space, and a little boy to play with, and I am good with babies, and, and, and...I need a date.

Jaime S. said...

in 6 months i will be looking for a co-op babysitting crew. i think it'd be better for us to babysitt all 4 families at someone elses house though. are apt will be small for lots of kids.

lisa said...

I wish I was there! I would trade with you! You look beautiful by the way!

Wolfingtons said...

Sounds like a good idea. We did this with just one other couple so the kids were more manageable. I can't imagine having more than 2 family's kids especially if each family has 3 or more. And we got to go out every other week which is pretty good.

Laura said...

Hey Jill I just checked your blog from Jaime's and I have to tell you that babysitting co-ops are the BEST! We've been doing one for 2 years now and LOVE it. It is well worth a night of crazyness for 3 dates. Our kids love it too because they get to hang out with their friends. Good luck and enjoy your dates!

Raysha said...

Sounds wonderful. Wish I lived in an area where that would go over well. And an area that had choices of places to go for dates!

Emily said...

Heather is in my ward! Her mom is, too. Heather went to a game night a couple weeks ago with a bunch of friends, she's a lot of fun!

Tammie & Jeff said...

We would be interested. Let us know if you need another couple! Sounds like a good idea.

christy said...

Looks like you have had some fun date nights!! I am totally jealous!! So...if we co-op, then how can we ever go out with you guys?? I am not sure anyone could handle my crew!!

Kristal said...

My hell! I did this through Chiropractic school and I told Jase that's the first thing I want to ditch when he has an income...and sure enough, we did. There's one here in JC, but I would rather never ever go on a date than join. Wow, guess I'm pretty opinionated about it. Of coarse we had 12 kids in an 1100 sq ft apartment. BOO!
Um, on the upside, yes it does save a little $$ while wasting a lot of sanity.