All parents want and need some time to themselves, away from their kids. Whether you want to go on a romantic date with your partner or you need an evening out with friends, it’s totally natural and normal to need to have some time for yourself. However, finding decent babysitters can be tricky, especially at short notice—this is why you need some babysitting friends, ideally another couple with kids of their own so you can take it in turns to watch one another’s kids for a few nights each month. Here is how you find and establish such a friendship.
Be Honest
If there are other parents in your friendship circles, then be open and honest about the fact that you need a break sometimes – almost all other parents will get it! Once you’ve established that, it shouldn’t be too tricky to suggest an arrangement whereby you can watch one another’s kids. You can trial it by just trying two hours for the first time, before building up so that everyone (your kids included) can get used to the set up.
Attend School Socials
If your kids are in kindergarten or at school, make sure you attend any events where you might be able to connect with other parents. As almost everyone at the event will have kids around the same age as yours, this will give you the perfect opportunity to scout out and see whether anyone would be interested in sharing babysitting duties.
Treat The Friendship Seriously
Once you’ve set up your babysitting arrangement, you’ll need to make sure you make time for your babysitting friends so they don’t start to feel like you’re only interested in knowing them because they sometimes watch your kids. Invite them out for a coffee (on a school day if necessary, so none of your kids are there) or ask them to accompany their kids round to yours for a playdate so the children can play while the adults catch up.