It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village
Published in September 2010 issue of Memphis Parent

The Memphis Midtown Babysitting Cooperative has saved hundreds of families thousands of dollars in babysitting costs over the last 33 years.

Founded by 13 mothers in 1977, the co-op 
currently has 19 member families within its Midtown borders (Jackson on the north, East Parkway to the east, Young Avenue on the south, and Bellevue and Watkins on the west). Members enjoy unlimited babysitting for just $25 a year.

The co-op’s president, Nicky Robertshaw Hitching, lives in Hein Park with her husband and 8-year-old daughter. She says there’s a system of “play money” in place, so it all works out. The play money is called “scrip.” Each family is given a loan of 60 scrip from the administration when they enter the co-op and are expected to return 60 scrip when they leave...(Read more)