Depending on the circumstances and level of trust among parents, a babysitting co-op can be a good endeavor for families looking to build community. A babysitting co-op is an arrangement between a group of parents to take turns exchanging child care. However, a co-op has risks and may not work in all situations, leading to other issues. 

Pros:

• Builds a stronger community
  • For parents: Parenting can sometimes feel a little daunting and lonely. With a babysitting co-op, you can make strong connections with other parents and exchange advice on issues you and others might be facing. It can be nice to relate to and feel solidarity with other families. 
  • For children: They can meet new playmates and understand what it is like to have a sense of community. There are also more adults invested in their development and will celebrate their success along with you.
• Cost-effective: Most babysitting co-ops work on a child care credit basis, so you are not breaking the bank when it comes to accessing care. It only costs some of your time in return!
• You’ve Probably Already Done it Before (in practice): If your child has ever had a playdate that you have hosted at your house, you are essentially completing a trial of what a babysitting co-op hopes to accomplish. 

Cons:

• Safety Concerns: There are a lot of steps regarding household safety one has to check before committing to a co-op agreement. Some examples include background checks, ensuring the household is a safe space for the age of your child (Is the home baby-proofed?), and that you have met any other adults that may be in and out of the house. 
• Matching Parenting Styles: Not everyone parents in the same way. To make sure your child has consistency across caregivers, it is important that you and other co-op parents have parenting styles that align, which can be difficult to find. For example, how do they deal with discipline? What are some activities your child might do under their care?
• Logistical Challenges: Most families have a 9-5 work week, meaning parents will likely require supplemental care around the same time. This may lead to an unequal distribution of child care among members of the cooperative.
• Unequal Participation: Though trust is the foundation of many caregiving co-ops, some families may try to take advantage of a cooperative agreement by only receiving the care others provide but not giving any care back.
• Risk of Conflict: There may be disagreements between parents over rules and expectations which can strain relationships. 
• Burn-out: As a parent, it can be hard to take care of your kids, let alone another parent’s kids. This extra work can be exhausting and may exacerbate some of the tiredness you are already experiencing. 

How to assess if babysitting co-ops are right for you

Babysitting co-ops ultimately require a high level of trust among participants and may not be the best choice when it comes to finding supplemental care. A daycare, after-school program, or trusted babysitter may make more sense logistically. However, having a variety of options for how you access care may not be a bad idea. 

A babysitting co-op could be a great way to feel supported as a parent, is less of a financial burden, and could be a good backup option if your babysitter bails on you at the last minute. If you do want to try a babysitting co-op model of care, it’s important to establish clear guidelines and expectations from the beginning to minimize potential issues. Additionally, if you are new to co-ops, start small and try it first with the parents you are closest with. You can also experiment with the purpose and logistics of the co-op if the traditional model doesn’t feel right. Maybe two families pool together resources to hire a babysitter so you and other parents can go out to dinner without the kids. Or perhaps you do a “double playdate” where both you and your child can socialize with other families. The possibilities are endless!