Trends: Mommy Mixers Help Parents Find Babysitters

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Parents get frazzled and need a break sometimes. But finding a baby-sitter they can trust can be an even bigger problem. Now there is a new trend that is giving parents away to connect with quality help.

It's a social gathering called a "Mommy Mixer". It's a hour-long event that connects dozens of mothers with part-time babysitters.

The mothers and sitters get a chance to socialize and get to know each other.

"It's a face to face interaction so you actually get to meet the babysitter before they step into your home," says Mommy Mixer organizer Jodi Cutler.

The events began in Austin, Texas where they are often held at stores. So moms get something they need (babysitters) and something they want (shopping).

Each mother (or father) at the event get a babysitter book. It has the resumes of all the prospective sitters. They include experience and the exact hours the sitters are available.

Most of the babysitters at the Mommy Mixer events are female college students looking for extra money.

"A little bit of extra money...interaction with younger kids. I think that's what all of us are looking for," says Genny Carter, one of the baby-sitters. The Mommy Mixers are free for the potential baby-sitters. But each mother pays $100 to attend the event.

Cutler says many of the moms leave having found a couple of possible baby-sitters. She says that's a big relief for parents.

"It gives moms a life," says Cutler. "I have a lot of 'thank you for letting me go on a date' or 'I haven't had my hair done in 6 months'..this is wonderful."

The Mommy Mixers started in Texas but have now spread to over 30 cities in several different states.

The events have not been held on the First Coast. But if you are interested in having a Mommy Mixer in your area click here to contact the company for more information.