I was reading an old friend's blog last night, and she posted pictures of this amazing pirate ship cake she made for a neighbor as part of a service exchange. My first thought was "WOW! I would love to be able to make a cake like that!" But of course that thought was quickly followed by the realization that, considering I get frustrated making box mix cakes -- without frosting, the ludicrous idea that I might actually be able to pull something like that off isn't even worth fantasizing about. My second thought was "Okay, I would love to exchange service to get a cake like that!". Now, this was a more legitimate thought, as I happen to know several ladies in the neighborhood who are very talented cake decorators.
My friend noted in her blog that she makes her neighbor's cakes in exchange for family pictures. Not only am I not a photographer, but the only camera I own is the one on Wayne's iphone. I am also not a seamstress, a scrapbooker, a pastry chef, a home decorator, or a craftmaker in any shape or form. This is where I hit a road block in the whole "service exchange" idea, which is an idea I really love. A cool, fancy cake for one of my kids' birthdays is something that I would love to have, but I don't really feel like, for me, it's enough of a priority to actually pay to have one professionally done. Now, I know I'm a little hung up on the cake idea -- because I'm pregnant and I happen to be fantasizing about cakes as of late -- but I really like the idea of exchanging service for any number of skills that my friends and neighbors have that I do not and would otherwise have to pay for or live without.
After a long night and morning of contemplating, I have come to the conclusion that I really only have one real skill that would be appropriate for a service exchange: child care. Now, I'll admit, at first, this seems pretty pathetic, and not exactly marketable. But I'm going to give myself a little credit: It may seem simple, but not everyone is good with kids or enjoys hanging out with them, and not only that, but I've already made use of this skill to help contribute to the family income while still staying at home with my own children (for those of you who don't already know this, I take care of an adorable 3-yr-old girl during the week while her mom goes to work). Plus, after all the training I've received over the years from Lexie's multiple teachers and therapists, I do have a few more child-caring qualifications than your average mom. So, I'm going to wear my "really good babysitter" badge with pride. And after a good deal of thinking, I've figured out what I think is a good way to use this skill in a service exchange:
How often do things come up that would be easier to be done without bringing your kid(s) along but aren't really worth paying a babysitter for? I'm thinking things like running multiple errands, Christmas shopping, doctor check-ups, meetings with an older child's teacher, etc. Those kind of things are always harder with a little one around (or two or three), but it doesn't always feel like a big enough deal to actually pay someone to babysit or drive 15 minutes out of the way to drop them off with Grandma (if that's even available). But... would it be worth a plate of cookies to drop your kid off with someone just down the street? Or what about those days where you just really need an hour without kids to have a break, or a nap, but feel guilty about taking up an offer of service just because you're a little tired. Would you feel less guilty if you could pay with a jar of homemade jam from that batch you already made? Well, that's exactly what I'm proposing.
Since I'm already taking care of another child every week day, I'm pretty much always available and willing to have another friend (or friends) come over to play for a little while, even if it's last minute. For those of you like me who don't "make" things, honestly, a little plate of cookies (or brownies or rice krispie treats or whatever) the next time you make a batch for your family would be a wonderful payment for babysitting. I hate to bake, so that's a service I would totally exchange for. For those of you who decorate cakes, or make home decorating items, or sew, or make headbands/bows/flower clips, or anything else, you could decide how much babysitting would be an appropriate exchange for your service (since you know better than I do how much time, effort, money, and skill goes into your craft). Say you decide that one of your flower clips is worth 3 hours of babysitting: I can watch your kid(s) for three hours at once, or if you only need me for an hour then that time can be working towards your flower clip, adding up more time whenever you randomly need some childcare.
(I'm also a big fan of using husband services. If anyone's husband does landscaping, I would totally watch your kids throughout the fall, winter, and spring to work towards some service in the summer. Or if your husband can get discounts or coupons for different things through work, that be a great exchange as well)
So, that's my service exchange idea. It might be dumb, which is why I'm writing about it here, so people can tell me honestly whether this is something they would want to do or not. If enough people are interested, Wayne's hobby is making websites, and I'd have him make one where you could propose your service and how much you think it is worth, keep track of service hours, and a calendar to show when I'm available and when I'm already booked. But, of course, if nobody wants to do this, I don't want to make him go through the work of making it.
Basically, I'm just looking for a way to get cake. ; )
So, I don't decorate cakes, but this is seriously my favorite way to get "free" stuff. I have traded for family photos almost every year, I traded to get a cake for Storey's baby blessing, and TONS of other stuff. I was trying to get something started in our ward in Phoenix like this, with a sign up sheet and such, but then we moved....
ReplyDeleteWe could trade to hang Christmas lights-Zak used to do that as a living.... I'd gladly trade those services for child care :)
I wished I lived near you, because I bake to cope and end up having entirely too many baked goods lying around! Good luck on your quest.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I just have to come up with something that I could trade. I can think of a ton of things I'd like though :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea too but am in the same boat where I don't feel like I'm particulary skilled at anything. On the babysitting, I was thinking about putting a babysitting co-op together in our neighborhood. Get about 4 families in a group and pick a time that works well for everyone(like Saturday evening from 7-10 for example). All the kids from all families just rotate houses each week so you can have a date night 3/4 Saturdays of the month and then the other Saturday you watch a billion kids.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this and will tell you more. First off though, I have a husband who would love to finish putting up our christmas lights without dying this week and I'd be willing to watch kids in exchange- or do another service.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's mainly a time thing- I can bake and decorate cakes(not quite like Stephanie Boyd,but okay), I've even done an entire room wall mural of farm animals before, but it takes a long long time! As for serviceable items, I suppose I could offer baked goods. I'm also crafty- but it depends on the project. I do babysit, but I'll admit, it isn't my favorite thing to do. Hmm.. I love your idea-- I hope you continue to get good input!! :) :)
Amy Gifford