1. A Babysitting Co-op
If you've got young kids at home and don't want to pay for a babysitter every time you want to go out - YOU NEED THIS. We have 3 families that we rotate with. We all have 5 children all the same age (key!) and they all get along. We don't watch babies younger than one, but we swap every Friday night from 6:30-9 with the first Friday night of the month as game night - parents play games while kids play together. LOVE IT. We'll be going on our third year in October. What a life saver to get a date in every week. (note: we actually take another family with 2 kids when it's our turn to babysit, and then usually swap our kids to them on the following Saturday night. So we actually get a date EVERY week.)
2. Summer Camps
We have 7 families in this one. Camps for school aged kids. The kids meet twice a week - Tues & Thurs (for 1.5 hours) and rotate activities. Our camps include: drama, cooking (kids LOVE it), parks and rec (meet and play, ride bikes and scooters at a park), science, etc. or whatever a mom wants to do with the kids. We've had a pirate party with treasure maps and booty, and soon will have boat racing. A great way to get kids together and have fun. We, the moms, each do three sessions and the kids really enjoy it. A great way to spend some of those summer days and for FREE.
3. Swim Team
If you have children old enough and a community or neighborhood swim team, this is fantastic. Our season just ended (a post coming soon) and I cannot believe how much fun we had. Not only getting to meet up with friends every morning (one of my favorites), but also how much the kids have learned and improved in just 6 weeks. It may seem pricey at first, but considering how much swimming they did, you can't find a better deal. I loved it. The kids loved it. I'm sad to see it end.
4. A Baby Shower
You know how you usually only have a baby shower when it's the first baby of either gender? Well, some gals know that it's just fun to get together and celebrate about anything - my kind of people! Well, let's take this a step further.
Two fabulous friends of mine in my ward threw me a shower. Not just any shower, but one I will forever be grateful for - getting together making freezer meals! How great is that? Guests are invited to contribute, come and participate (of course with amazing refreshments, too). I was so excited for this, I found a freezer for $50 on Craigslist that is now filled with these goodies and meals. So Smart. (I've participated in a shower like this for two other friends of mine, one expecting their 4th son and another their 5th child. It is life saving. And these are some amazing meals: chicken and green chile enchiladas, chicken parmesan, cheesy tortellini, etc. Good to use before baby comes too when you just don't want to deal with dinner.) My one friend is a nutritionist, she talks with the expectant mother and finds out what your family eats, finds the meals and has everything ready to assemble for the shower (can you imagine all that work? Bless her heart.) freezer OR pantry meals. AMAZING. I can't think of anything more helpful for when a new baby is coming. We've talked about just getting together and like a card swap, putting freezer meals together and swapping. Doesn't that sound fabulous?
I'd love to hear your great ideas. Do tell.
