Susan Bachman and Jimmy
Oct. 23, 2012 By Bill Parry
Sunnyside resident Susan Bachman and her fiancee spent the first three years of their son’s life struggling to get any time alone.
“The cost to hire a babysitter is very expensive,” Susan said. Therefore, “We’ve only gone out three times [by ourselves] since Jimmy was born,” she said.
The couple searched for a solution, which led to a neighborhood babysitting co-op. However, there was a waiting list.
Bachman decided to start her own co-op, called SunnyBaby. It became operational earlier this month and about 10 families have joined.
The co-op works on a point exchange system where a family earns points for babysitting another member’s children. That family can then spend those points by getting a member of the group to look after their kids.
Each member needs a certificate of CPR training and a medical emergency authorization form. They also must be willing to host a social event twice a year for the other members. “The social benefit is a real bonus,” Bachman explained, “You make friends in the neighborhood and the children make new friends and develop social skills.”
Jennifer and Mark Logan discovered the group– and recently joined.
When Jennifer had her son nine-months ago, she feared that it was going to be a long time before she and Mark would go out together. “The only time we got to go out together was on a trip to Ireland to visit Mark’s family,” she said.
However, the co-op has already brought benefits to the Logans. On a recent Friday, they enjoyed an evening together at Quaint (on Skillman Ave), and are looking forward to their next date.
The SunnyBaby co-op is open to new members (up to 25 families). The geographic range stretches from 39th St. to 56th St., from 39th Ave. to 50th Ave.
For more information contact Susan Bachman at bsuebee69@aol.com.
