The Power of Resource-Sharing and Outsourcing for Working Moms - Part 2: The Babysitting Co-Op
The Babysitting Co-Op: Outsourcing Beyond Dinner
After the success of the Cedar Street Dinner Co-Op, we soon realized that our newfound solution for dinner could be applied to other areas of our lives. As working moms, we were always stretched thin, trying to balance careers, kids, and everything else. One area we all struggled with was getting a break from the chaos of parenting.
Finding time to recharge was hard enough, but finding reliable and affordable childcare made it feel nearly impossible. Babysitters were expensive, and with six kids among us—each under the age of six—the cost added up quickly. Yet, we all longed for a few hours of uninterrupted time, whether for a date night with our husbands or simply to have a quiet moment to ourselves. That's when we decided to expand our dinner co-op into a babysitting co-op.
The Birth of the Babysitting Co-Op
The idea was simple: just like we’d rotate dinner duties, we’d rotate babysitting. Each of us would take one Friday night a month. On your night, you’d host all six kids from 5:30 to 8:00 PM, and on the other two Fridays? You were free to do whatever you wanted.
For me, that meant a quiet date night with Alex or just having a few hours of peace where I didn’t have to be “on.” Sometimes, I’d go grocery shopping without little hands grabbing at everything. Other times, I’d sit in a quiet house, pour myself a glass of wine, and soak in the silence.
And the best part? There was no cost. Just like with the dinners, we didn’t have to spend a dime—only time. It was a win-win for everyone involved.
A New Kind of Friday Night
When it was your turn to host, you knew you’d be in for a wild night, but it was worth it. We turned babysitting into an event the kids looked forward to, not something they dreaded. The six of them quickly bonded and soon knew each other as well as siblings. Fridays became their “Fun Night,” a time to play with their friends, eat pizza, and enjoy being together.
Of course, it wasn’t always easy. Managing six kids under the age of six could feel like trying to herd cats. Bathtime, in particular, was a spectacle. But over time, we figured out little tricks and games to keep them entertained, and they started looking forward to their time together just as much as we looked forward to our time off.
In those early years, we’d rotate hosting in our living rooms or backyards. As the kids grew older, Friday night babysitting turned into sleepovers, with the kids staying up late watching movies or playing flashlight tag in the yard. Those Fridays became a tradition, something we all looked forward to, both the kids and the parents alike.
Outsourcing Time: The Value of Free Time
For us moms, the babysitting co-op wasn’t just about getting a night off. It was about reclaiming time—time for ourselves, our partners, and our mental well-being. If you’re a working parent, you know how rare it is to have uninterrupted time for yourself. The mental load of work, kids, and household responsibilities can feel like an overwhelming weight on your shoulders.
The co-op allowed us to hit pause, even if it was just for a few hours. And that pause made all the difference. It gave me the energy I needed to be more present with my kids, more engaged with my husband, and, quite frankly, just more sane.
When I had those few hours to myself on the nights I didn’t have to babysit, it felt like an oasis in the middle of a desert. I could breathe, recharge, and come back to my family with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. That’s the beauty of outsourcing—it gives you back the time and space you need to be at your best.
Building a Network of Trust
One of the unexpected benefits of the babysitting co-op was the deep trust it built among us moms. We relied on each other for more than just free babysitting. We knew that in an emergency, we could call each other for help. If one of us needed a last-minute favor, the others would step in without hesitation.
That trust extended to our kids as well. They knew they had more than one “home” on Cedar Street. My kids would run to Jenny’s house if they needed something just as easily as they’d come to me. Steph’s kids knew they could knock on my door if they forgot their backpack or needed help with something. We were more than neighbors—we were each other’s safety net.
That’s what made the co-op so special. It wasn’t just about getting a night off from parenting or swapping meals—it was about building a real community where we could lean on each other. It was about recognizing that motherhood doesn’t have to be a solo journey.
Taking the Pressure Off: The Guilt-Free Break
As moms, we often feel guilty for wanting—or needing—a break. There’s an unspoken pressure to do it all and be everything for everyone. But the truth is, taking time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. The babysitting co-op allowed us to have guilt-free breaks, knowing that our kids were safe, happy, and having fun.
By rotating nights, we didn’t feel the financial strain of hiring a babysitter or the guilt that sometimes comes with leaving your kids for an evening. We weren’t outsourcing to strangers—we were relying on friends who loved and cared for our kids just as much as we did.
That’s the beauty of a co-op like this. It takes away the stress of finding help, paying for it, and worrying about whether your kids are in good hands. We trusted each other, and that trust made all the difference. It allowed us to truly relax, knowing that our kids were safe, and we could focus on recharging ourselves.
From Babysitting to Sleepovers: Evolving with Time
As our kids grew, the babysitting co-op evolved. What started as a few hours of free time on a Friday night eventually turned into full-blown sleepovers. By the time our kids were old enough, they were practically begging for sleepover nights. They’d camp out in sleeping bags, watch movies, and play games well into the night.
We moms found that this setup gave us even more freedom. With the kids sleeping over at one house, the rest of us got a full night off—time for a real date night, a quiet evening to ourselves, or even the luxury of sleeping in the next morning.
The best part? Our kids were creating lifelong memories. To this day, they still talk about those Friday nights on Cedar Street, the games they played, the late-night talks, and the sense of community they felt. They weren’t just growing up with siblings—they were growing up with a tight-knit group of friends who felt like family.
Outsourcing: It’s More Than Just a Practical Solution
The success of both the dinner co-op and the babysitting co-op taught me an important lesson: outsourcing isn’t just a practical solution for busy moms. It’s a mindset. It’s about recognizing that you don’t have to do it all and that asking for help doesn’t make you less capable—it makes you stronger.
When we let go of the need to be perfect, to be the mom who does it all, we open ourselves up to the possibility of building something better. We create space for community, for connection, and for moments of peace in the chaos of everyday life.
By outsourcing, we gave ourselves permission to step back and focus on the things that mattered most—time with our families, our partners, and ourselves. And that, in the end, made us better moms, better friends, and better women.
The Power of Asking for Help
The babysitting co-op, like the dinner co-op before it, wasn’t just a way to get through the day—it was a lifeline. It gave us the time and space we needed to be present for the people we loved and to take care of ourselves in the process.
The key takeaway? You don’t have to do it all. Whether you’re swapping babysitting duties with friends, sharing meals with neighbors, or outsourcing other tasks, asking for help is one of the smartest things you can do. It’s not about giving up control—it’s about taking control of your time and energy.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself: What can I outsource? What part of your life could be made easier if you leaned on the people around you? Whether it’s babysitting, cooking, or something else entirely, remember—you don’t have to do it alone. By building a network of support, you give yourself the freedom to focus on what truly matters.