7 Babysitting Options So Parents Can Go Out (Minus Kids)
When you’re single, dating, and childless, the most important dining-out decision you need to make is red, white, or beer. But when you're married (or otherwise partnered) with kids, just thinking about eating out as a couple may have you reaching for the liquor cabinet: The babysitting tab alone often exceeds the meal, and that’s assuming you can even find anyone reliable to watch the children. Do you just bring the kids along with you? As much as we're in favor of that, the answer is no: You do deserve a date night! And there are, in fact, better ways to go about hiring a babysitter than stalking teens at the local mall (or really anywhere: stalking teens = bad idea). Here are seven ways to find child care so you can go and enjoy a well-deserved night out.
1/7LEAST EXPENSIVE: Family
(Parents, adult siblings and cousins—heck, even second cousins will do) PROCESS: Just call! Or better yet, text. COST: Zero—unless you’ve got the kind of parents who made you pay rent to live in their home post-college. Then you might be looking at a few bucks, though far below the going professional rate. PROS: Save money, confident your kids are in good hands. CONS: Potential spoiling, nagging, backseat parenting (Credit: Eliza Truitt)
2/7MOST CONVENIENT: Neighborhood Families
Process: Nicely ask if they’ll do you the favor—they certainly know how hard it is! You could also suggest a drop-off playdate that happens to coincide with your dinner. If it’s a sleepover, all the better! Cost: Probably zero as long as you promise to reciprocate. Pros: Save money, kids get a fun night with friends. Cons: You’ll be stuck babysitting their brood soon enough. (Credit: Gail Albert Halaban)
3/7BEST LONG-TERM BENEFITS: Babysitting Co-op
Process: Local families sign up to watch each other’s kids. Every hour spent babysitting earns you points toward no-cost child care. Cost: Zero, beyond your priceless time. Pros: Save money, sense of community. Cons: Advance planning required! If there’s a babysitting co-op in your community, you still need to put in the time to earn points. If there isn’t one, you need to organize it and get other families on board. (Credit: Flickr user cafemama)
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard/6080217437/" target="_blank">4/7BEST WIN-WIN: Camp Counselors and Extracurricular Teachers
Process: Many of them are keen to make extra money on the side by babysitting. And since they already supervise your kids, everyone knows exactly what they’re getting into. Cost: Negotiable; you may even be able to work out a long-term deal. Pros: Preexisting relationship, experience working with children. Cons: Mixing the personal and the professional is always tricky. If they say no or it ends up not working out, try not to take it personally. (Credit: Flickr user ndguard)
Flickr user <a href="" target="_blank">CollegeDegrees360</a>5/7BEST ECONOMY STIMULATION: College Students
Process: If there’s a college nearby, then there are sure to be young adults desperate for part-time jobs. Some universities even have student employment services, so check the website. If not, you can do it the old-fashioned way by printing out Help Wanted flyers and asking where you can leave them on campus. Cost: Negotiable. Again, you may be able to work out a regular deal. Pros: Giving someone their first job, probably more reliable than a high schooler… Cons: Or maybe not. Do you remember how you acted in college? Yeah. Definitely ask about experience and references. (Credit: Flickr user CollegeDegrees360)
6/7MOST BUSINESSLIKE: Online Babysitting Services
Process: Child care is big business, especially on the internet. There are a number of national companies like care, sittercity and 4sitters that connect families with caregivers. The rules vary, but usually parents pay a fee to join, and then pay for the sitter upon booking. Cost: Varies depending on service, location, experience. Pros: Ostensibly you’re hiring a professional who knows what they’re doing. Cons: Most services don’t vet the sitters in their database so it’s potentially no better than calling people on Craigslist. Make sure you check the resume and references, and chat with the caregiver beforehand. (Credit: Flickr user Santheo)
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplerich/" target="_blank">simplerich</a>7/7MOST FUN—FOR THE KIDS: Local Play Spaces or Kiddie Gyms
Process: In big cities, play spaces and kids’ gyms have been hosting drop-off evening child care so parents can enjoy an early date night. These monthly, multi-hour sessions usually include pizza, juice, and an activity or movie. National chains like Kidville and The Little Gym offer these “parents’ nights out” at select locations. No kiddie gyms near you? Ask at your local community center, church, or even school. Cost: Cheaper than a babysitter, plus the kids get fed. Pros: Great group setting, the kids have just as much fun as you do. Cons: These programs tend to end early. No dancing after dinner! (Credit: Flickr user simplerich)
