How to Organize a Babysitting Co-op in Your Neighborhood

Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri's picture Submitted by Celeste Bocchic... on

As a parent, finding time for doctor's appointments, job interviews, or the much-coveted date night out can be challenging enough -- finding someone to watch the kids can be even more difficult. Turning to your virtual village to organize a childcare cooperative is a great, free alternative to costly babysitters or drop-off centers.

A babysitting co-op lets you trade time watching each other's kids for time to do real grown-up things like go to appointments, clean the house, or just take a break. Lots of parents do this informally in a "you get my back this time, I will get your's next time" approach, where the only reckoning of debts owed is karmic.  This works great among friends, but tends to involve only a small group of select people.  Creating a more formally organized cooperative allows parents to expand their network of willing sitters while accurate tracking keeps things fair and equitable. Here's how to get started:

Money-Saving Tips for NYC's Intrepid Museum and the Space Shuttle Enterprise

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It's been a number of years since we went to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and a lot has changed. Since our last post, the museum has gained a submarine and a space shuttle! Although some New Yorkers dismiss the Intrepid as just for tourists, it's not a fair assessment. Not only does the Intrepid have four jam-packed decks of cool gadgets, gizmos and exhibits, it hosts lots of special seasonal events for kids and families throughout the year, including FREE movie nights in summer, an entertainment-filled Kids Week during February break and educational celebrations for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day.

Visiting the decommissioned aircraft carrier can definitely be an all-day affair—especially if your kids are obsessed with anything that sails or flies. My family and I ill-advisedly rushed through in one busy afternoon but we're definitely planning a return trip so we can explore even more of the floating landmark's nooks and crannies.

Since the Intrepid offers many different admission packages, figuring out which one works best for your family can be tricky. We've got tips on the very best things to see and do at the Intrepid with kids, as well as tips on how to save money on your visit.

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend October 26-27: Halloween Hocus Pocus, Crafts Festival & More!

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'Tis the weekend before the main event and every ghost and goblin will be out in NJ, so grab your last chance at a pumpkin festival or do some Creepy Crawly Worm Dissection. And if you're aching for some non-spooky fun, try a overnight campout at a lovely arboretum or an enormous crafts festival with special activities for your junior craftsmen. Remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar and whatever you do, don't miss a chance to enter our great Giveaway to win $150 of Target Boys and Girls clothes and a $100 Target gift card. Happy Halloween!

Special Needs Art Classes for NYC Kids

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During my previous monthly special needs posts, I've rounded up music classes and dance lessons for New York City children with special needs. Today, I'm highlighting adaptive art programs for children with different abilities, like my tween son.

Although my boy has participated in all kinds of special needs sports, and social groups, art has never been very high on his wish list. With his limited fine-motor skills, short attention span and tendency to get easily frustrated, it's understandable that it's not a favorite. But I really wanted to find a creative outlet for him that he would enjoy.

So I started to investigate the kinds of special needs art programs available around the city, and as usual I wasn't disappointed—but I was surprised. While there are only a handful of studios offering adaptive experiences, some of NYC's major museums have incredible special needs hands-on sessions, most of which are FREE. Here are five special needs art programs for families, as well as two others that sound interesting but are open only to schools.

Birthday Party Venues in the Hamptons and North Fork

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A birthday party celebration in the Hamptons doesn't need to focus on the pool or the beach, and during the cooler months, you'll want to find a fun indoor activity. Whether you have a sporty kid, a princess, a future marine biologist or a budding artist, there are party venues for every interest area, age and budget.

How to Prepare for a Family Photo Shoot: 5 Tips from a Professional Photographer

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So, you’ve found the perfect location for your family photo, and you’ve decided on a photographer. Great, but now you keep asking yourself questions (in a jittery voice): What will everyone wear? How will I get the kids to behave? What if the baby won’t stop drooling? No need to panic. Professional photographer Korri Leigh Crowley has five tips for getting the most out of your family photo shoot experience, panic-free. 

Art Classes That Come To You: Private Picassos

Submitted by Shari Simpson on

We are fortunate to live in a time (and a place) where you can pretty much get anything delivered to your home. If the New York City/New Jersey area weren't so cool, we might never leave our houses! You know that we love Birthday Party Services That Come To You, but how about having a fantastic art teacher come right to your door? We experienced the fun of Private Picassos, a brand-new Northern New Jersey service, so come along and hear the details!

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