The following is an e-mail I sent out to my neighbors and local friends. When I lived in Germany, a friend who had twins, and I had a swap we did each week. She would watch my son for 3 hours and I would watch her twin girls for 3 hours on another day in exchange. This gave us free babysitting time to run some errands, etc. It worked out great and since I moved back to the states we both really miss this so I thought I would offer to set up this “program” locally for moms who needed free babysitting time to get some things done this summer. Here it is:
Summer Kids Swap!
I am putting together a “swap” (for lack of a better term) to help out those parents who need a few hours to run errands each week. This “program” can be cheaper than a sitter or a daycare center or summer camp program, plus our kids get to play with each other!
For those who wish to participate, I will help group us according to availability and location, in groups of 2-3 families. That group will discuss the details of their “swap”. For instance, if three families want to “kid swap” on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00-3:00 each week this summer, then the first family could host the other two on Monday, the second family hosts on Wed., and the third hosts on Friday. OR two moms could stay with all the kids each day while the third mom went out. You can rotate it and set it up however you want. You can discuss vacation weeks, etc. I’m just trying to get interested families put together. You all can work out the details and I’m here to help as well.
You’re probably asking yourself, ”What am I going to do with ___# of kids for three hours?” Here are some ideas:
- I figure we would spend a minimum of $20 a week per child for our child(ren) to go to a summer program or something else, so why not use some of that money to buy a few craft projects at Michaels or Oriental Trading Co. for the day that you host? Projects do not need to cost anything either! (I have TONS of ideas if you need any!)
- Have a “Movie Day” if it’s rainy. Pop some popcorn. Get a movie from the library before-hand. Etc.
- Play-dough is always a hit! The homemade kind makes a ton and I have the recipe if you’d like it.
- Outdoor games, relay races, etc. (lots of links to ideas on my website).
- Play outside in a kiddie pool or sprinkler.
- Have snacks.
There are a ton of ideas to add to these and to host a few kids for a few hours one day a week would be worth having a day or two to get some things done!
I would like to suggest though, if you have a child who is not potty-trained, you should be matched up with other parents who want to have 2 adults stay with the kids on the day they host. If there are diaper changes or accidents that need to be tended to, then they will need an extra hand! I will try to match you up with others who also have an unpotty-trained child.
Also, when filling out the form, it would be best (not required though) to list 3-hour time periods you want to swap. That will give the parent(s) going out plenty of time to get some things done without being too rushed. Remember, we can schedule our hair appts., doctor’s appts., grocery shopping, etc.!
One last idea is that your group could also hire a couple of teen sitters to watch your kids while you ALL go out and run your errands.
REMEMBER to open the second Excel attachment to fill out the form to participate if you would like. (I had a form attached to the e-mail for them to fill out if they wanted to participate).
PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO OTHER FRIENDS IN OUR AREA who might like to participate with us.
Thanks and have a great summer!
Tonya
(attached e-mail and phone number)
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