Summer Playgroup/Babysitting Co-op
I’m banging my drum to get a summer playgroup/babysitting co-op started with some of Lucas’s classmates. I created one last summer with three other families and it was a super success. Out of 12 summer vacation weeks, each participating family hosted the playgroup at their home only three times. That meant there were nine days when I dropped Lucas off at someone else’s home for a 3.5-hour play date. It kept him entertained, strengthened his bonds with his friends, and helped me get a bit of work done on my off days when he was away.
It’s looking like the playgroup will happen nicely again this summer, too. Another 12 weeks off yawn before us, starting on June 6. We have five or maybe six families participating in the group, so that probably means each of us will host only twice—even better than last summer! But it’s more kids (six, possibly seven). I think it will be terrific fun for them, almost like a party every week on Wednesday afternoons, but probably a bit more work for the hosting parent. I plan to feed them ice-cream as a bribe to keep them happy and cooperative when it’s my turn to host.
Scheduling work projects, school, babysitting, playgroups, play dates, swimming lessons, art camp, nature detective camp, doctor and dentist appointments, birthday parties, and grandma time is quite a bear, let me tell you. So don’t let anybody tell you motherhood makes you stupid. It makes you the equivalent of a CEO and managing director of a major corporation.
May 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Thats SO smart! Good idea!
May 30, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thanks! I’m motivated entirely by my own selfish needs: I’m freaked out about trying to entertain my children for 12 solid weeks. This group will help me keep some sanity.