Baby-Sitting Co-ops On the Rise

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/17/1950591/baby-sitting-co-ops-regain-popularity.html

With the state of the economy and high price of baby-sitters, parents are recycling an old solution: baby-sitting cooperatives.

Usually formed between friends with kids, the co-op is basically free babysitting by parents, for parents. You earn points for watching other people's children, and cash them in when you need some kid-free time.

Gary Myers, author of "Smart Mom's Baby-Sitting Co-op Handbook," suggests starting a co-op with two or three friends, then expanding to at least 10 people, so "you'll have coverage at all times."

Parents are using the internet to help start baby-sitting co-ops. HiveMoms is a website dedicated to baby-sitting co-ops and play dates, launched last summer by Kareen Looi. The website helps parents start co-ops and suggests a standard set of bylaws governing things like points per hour.