Kids on the coast

Hundreds of families move to Queensland every year with the majority leaving their network of family and friends behind. This also means leaving behind an important support network of trusted babysitters to help in such situations.

Some parents adjust easily and are comfortable with hiring babysitters when the need arises. A quick search of the yellow pages, local classifieds or internet will provide a list of babysitting services in the area. They have their own screening process and are careful about their selection but regardless, we all know it’s not easy leaving your kids with a complete stranger no matter how nice they seem or how glowing their references are.

Then there’s the issue of having the money to pay for a babysitter or being able to get a suitable one at the last minute. What starts as a cheap night out (some time out) can get quite expensive and all of a sudden it’s just too hard and you end up staying at home. That is, until you hear talk on the grapevine about something called a ‘babysitting club’.

Babysitting clubs have been around for years and are becoming increasingly accepted, especially in areas like the Sunshine and Gold coasts which are popular choices for families relocating for work or simply wanting a lifestyle change.

So what’s a babysitting club?

A babysitting club is a way for friends to babysit for each other and for new families to make friends. Most clubs are by invitation only, which means only people recommended and trusted by other friends are invited to join. However other clubs have membership drives where they welcome new memberships and registrations outside their normal network to encourage new families to join. This helps to expand their membership so that it reaches those that live outside current designated club areas.

How does it work?

Babysitting clubs work on a points system where each member is allocated the same number of points upon joining and these are to be used in exchange for babysitting. You use and earn points within your group by asking friends to babysit and by babysitting in return. Each club has its own rules for day time and night time sitting but generally it’s one point per hour of babysitting. So if you and another club member both have 10 points and you babysit their child or children for an hour, they ‘pay’ you one point. You now have 11 points or credits to spend on babysitting within your club and your friend has nine. A club administrator usually keeps track of the points so it remains fair.

There are also rules that each member must agree to follow or their membership can be suspended or terminated. Each club has different guidelines but generally the rules include an outline or version of expected behaviours like courtesy and consideration to other members, being punctual at drop off and pick up times and respecting parents’ wishes with bed times, television watching and food intake. Just as important is the expected treatment of the children.

The Gold Coast Babysitting Club has a strict rule for its members when it comes to the discipline of children in their care. It is expected that disciplining children should be through verbal command and direction and never through physical force and all children should be treated with the same love and respect members show their own. All clubs should have clear rules on child discipline so don’t be afraid to ask.

All of these rules and regulations could seem a little daunting or overwhelming but generally members and friends are like minded and already have these rules in place at home with their own families. Having set rules and expectations in place gives sitters a clear outline of what is expected from them and parents the reassurance or peace of mind that their child is protected through them.

Gold Coast Babysitting Club’s Heather Denslow says their club is primarily a club of friendship and in her four years as administrator she hasn’t had to suspend or terminate a membership yet. “It is promoted up front that members who don’t follow the rules will be asked to leave,” she says. “Membership is a privilege that can be revoked after a serious complaint.

Members need to be aware that if they don’t complete sittings to the liking of the parent they will develop a reputation that will spread throughout the club and no one will invite them to sit anymore. “They won’t have the opportunity to earn points so they will effectively push themselves out of the club.”

It’s simply not as easy as just registering, getting your points and off you go. If you are new to an area and want to join a club, it’s important to get to know other members. Heather says members “…need to invest some time, effort and energy into getting to know the other members or they won’t ever use the service. We’d never ask a stranger to babysit for us so the obvious remedy to this is to make and develop new friendships.” By making the effort to attend club meetings, gatherings and social functions you will ultimately feel more comfortable using their services (and them yours).

As popular as they are quickly becoming, babysitting clubs aren’t for everyone. Some parents know straight up they wouldn’t be comfortable with the concept or that it simply wouldn’t suit their circumstances.

Sunshine Coast mum-of-five Kristy Guest says she can see the appeal and the benefits, especially if you don’t have a close support network but not knowing other members very well, and not having the time to commit to meetings and gatherings would prevent her from using one. “I’m lucky that I have people I can ask to help me with the kids because I would be wary about leaving them with people I didn’t know very well,” she says.

“I do feel guilty asking my friends because I don’t want them to feel like they have to say yes, so I only ask if I really need to.
“Although, it makes me feel better knowing I can return the favour and help them when they need it…I suppose it’s like a babysitting club but without the points!”

Other parents have joined a babysitting club only to find, for different reasons it’s not for them. Heather Denslow says, “The only people that have left the (Gold Coast Babysitting) Club are ones that have family or friends that they can call on, so they weren’t using it or didn’t have time or the inclination to make friends with other members.”

Everyone has different opinions, needs and circumstances but it’s a comfort for many to know that such babysitting clubs are out there. By picking up the phone, asking a few simple questions and making the effort to attend a function, you will know if joining such an organisation is for you.

What you need to know…

How does it work?
How long has it been running?
What area do you cover?
How many members do you have?
What is your member screening process?
Will it cost me anything?
What are the rules? Do they cover acceptable ways to discipline children in your care?
Do you have regular club meetings or gatherings where I can meet other members?
What do I do if I have a complaint?
What if I try it and it’s not for me, can I simply de-register?

The pros and cons

Pros:

• Make new friends in your area
• Convenient guilt-free babysitting
• More flexibility if you have a last minute appointment or emergency

Cons

• Most clubs have a rule that regardless of how many children you have it’s still one point per hour of sitting. If you only have one or two kids you need to be aware you could be asked to sit for someone with four or five.
• If you are new to an area it could take a while to get to know other members before being comfortable having them sit for you (and vice versa).
• Some clubs have a ‘Mums Only’ care rule so sitting is limited to times when Dad’s not home.

For more information…

If you have trouble finding a babysitting club Heather Denslow from the Gold Coast Babysitting Club is happy to help you set up your own club in your own area. Go to www.goldcoastbabysittingclub.com.au for more information.