This book is for a mother of preschoolers who wants time out to better care for herself, her family, and her friends. Do the start up in one hour with three friends. Then slowly have others join. When you get ten-moms you will always be able to count on a sitter. With ten moms you are also free to be a sitter when the time works with your schedule. It is all done with points and one call to the secretary--no hunting for a sitter. You serve one month as secretary on rotation with ten other moms. No pleas for help. No guilt. It works on autopilot. It is based on a Baby-sitting Co-op that has been passed from mom to mom for over twenty years. Quick reading. Well organized and humorous. The book is best in catagory!
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Gary Myers earned a Masters of Science and has studied business process modeling at the University of Washington. He enjoys re-engineering business processes into a simple, easy-to-do solution. Facinated with a neiborhood baby-sitting co-op that had been passed from mom-to-mom for twenty years, he set to work writting "Smart Mom's Baby-sitting Co-op Handbook".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was interested in starting a coop, but didn't know how to iron out all the details. Fortunately, I found this book and it answered all my questions. It is very, very thorough and detailed. And it really has some excellent suggestions that one might not think of when starting a coop, like making sure each member has homeowners liability insurance and doing a safety check. If you buy the book, you also get access to a special web site with lots of useful forms to download. You really don't have to do much work at all. I am advertising my coop now, and am so glad I found this resource.
My only problem with the book is that I don't like the secretary method, where you call one person to book the babysitting, and this book really only describes that option. (The book seems to be written for stay-at-home moms, and I am starting a working mom's coop.) But it's thorough enough that I feel I can adapt it for my needs. I'd definitely recommend it highly to anyone interested in starting a coop.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Best book in catagory--I did my research! I did a Baby-sitting Co-op in one hour with three friends using this handbook. (it has everything you need already laid out). We have invited ten more moms to join us. We have time-out because a sitter will always be available--I can schedule a doctor's appointment on the spot. I only do sits in my home when it fits my schedule. We make one call to the secretary serving her turn--no hunting for a sitter. The book is well writen, easy to follow and provids everything I need. I serve as secretary one-month in rotation with 12 other moms. I started the co-op but I am never asked to do anything more. I cannot say enough about how the Co-op has helped--step-by-step. My kids have playmates and I have time out when I want it. I love my new friends. This is a great thing for any mother of preschoolers! It is a good thing to do for your neighborhood.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. Long
Format:Paperback
I found out about this book and the idea of a co-op when the author, Gary Myers, and his wife, Patty, came and spoke at our MOPS meeting. I was hooked on the idea of free time for me and appointments without my son. I was new to our area and had no baby-sitting options at that time. Two ladies from our MOPS group took control and had our co-op up and running within one month and we had 16 moms. Our co-op has been working great for 5 months and has grown to 19 moms, with many more interested.
I highly recommend using this book as a guideline, as it lays out rules you may not have thought of, plus, if there is ever a question or problem- you just refer to the book. There is a "business" side to running a large co-op and to keep things going smooth- that's where the book comes in. It is also filled with all of the paperwork and you get access to the Smart Mom's website for free downloads of the paperwork (you have to have the book which gives you the password to print the downloads). For more info I would recommend checking out their website at www.babysittingcoop.com. You can also order books from there for $15 or less- depending on how many you order- and call the 800 number. Hope this review helps you moms looking for a co-op!
I highly recommend using this book as a guideline, as it lays out rules you may not have thought of, plus, if there is ever a question or problem- you just refer to the book. There is a "business" side to running a large co-op and to keep things going smooth- that's where the book comes in. It is also filled with all of the paperwork and you get access to the Smart Mom's website for free downloads of the paperwork (you have to have the book which gives you the password to print the downloads). For more info I would recommend checking out their website at www.babysittingcoop.com. You can also order books from there for $15 or less- depending on how many you order- and call the 800 number. Hope this review helps you moms looking for a co-op!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok once you cut out the Hyperbole
Given to me by my local Woman's club Baby-sitting co-op to read before I can join. Now given that I have been waiting a year to join and no-one seems to be able to organise the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Saucier
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ok - written for stay at home moms (you ladies rock!)
I read this book cover to cover in two days, which to me means it earned 4 stars. However, we were looking for a book to help start a co-op for work moms of toddlers. Read more
Published on May 17, 2010 by J. Elsemore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Co-op Member for over 2 years!
I have been a Smart Moms Co-op member for over two years. WE LOVE the co-op. Extra playdates. Evening dates with trusted childcare. Guilt-free me-time. Read more
Published on November 23, 2009 by Smart Mom
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not Useful! Poorly Written.
Oh my. Where to start? Well, first off, this is called the Smart MOM'S handbook for a reason. If you aren't an apron-wearing stay-at-home mom, this book isn't for you. Read more
Published on May 11, 2009 by Not a Soccer Mom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Guide for Getting Started
I am starting a babysitting cooperative and have found this book quite helpful. It contains many practical tips, rules and suggestions that have clearly resulted from years of... Read more
Published on July 20, 2004 by J. L. Carroll
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must read" for aspiring baby-sitting co-op participants.
One of the fundamental problems facing all parents is that of safe, reliable, competent child care. Now there is an effective, informative, "parent friendly" guide to... Read more
Published on June 5, 2000 by Midwest Book Review
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