One common parenting dilemma moms and dads often face is finding a good babysitter to take care of their children. In this episode of The Lab, Mommy Mixer founder Mary Sullivan Cooper stops by the DadLabs World Headquarters to tell us about her service that brings parents and vetted babysitters together at social events. These mixers allow families to find students who are looking for babysitting jobs. Daddy Brad asks mothers what they look for in a sitter. Baby sitters weigh in on what they expect from mothers and fathers when taking care of their kids. Speed dating for babysitting help! These events are popping up in cities all over the nation. Yours could be next. DadLabs ep. 415.

[At the Mommy Mixer]

DADDY BRAD: Welcome back to the lab. I’m Daddy Brad here at DadLabs.com. We’re going to look at a phenomenon that’s sweeping the nation. It’s called a Mommy Mixer. It’s kind of like speed dating meets finding a babysitter. Let’s go take a look at this crazy Mommy Mixer thing.

[At the lab]

DADDY BRAD: Welcome back to the lab. I’m Daddy Brad and I am pleased to be joined today by chief founding momma, Mary Sullivan-Cooper from Mommy Mixer. Mary, how are you? Thanks for coming in.

MARY: Thanks for having me.

DADDY BRAD: And thanks for bringing in your adorable baby Caroline. I’m very interested in this whole thing. What is a Mommy Mixer?

MARY: Mommy Mixer is an event that brings together mothers looking for babysitters and college students looking for babysitting jobs. They meet at a hip retail environment, mix and mingle, walk away with a book of resumes from all the babysitters present and have a plethora of babysitters to choose from when they get home.

DADDY BRAD: I can’t think of two people that need each other more than mommies and daddies with children and college students that want to babysit.

[At the Mommy Mixer]

DADDY BRAD: We’re here with Vicky, one of the moms looking to find a good babysitter here. What’s the perfect babysitter?

VICKY: Somebody who plays with the kids. Someone who gets down on their level. Somebody who has fun and enjoys being with them.

DADDY BRAD: What questions do you ask these ladies.

VICKY: I just try to get a feel whether or not they will fit with our family.

DADDY BRAD: Tell us about some of the things parents should avoid if they want to keep a baby sitter.

COLLEGE STUDENT: Being mean to them or scaring them off or having a really creepy house.

COLLEGE STUDENT 2: One time I had to babysit for these people who had no air conditioner in the middle of summer. That was pretty bad.

COLLEGE STUDENT 3: Creepy dads are a real bust first of all. Don’t ever put your hand on a babysitter’s lower back!

COLLEGE STUDENT 4: I think it’s so weird when at the end of the night they just ask you how much you want to get paid.

DADDY BRAD: What’s the most important thing that a potential babysitter can do?

MOMMY 2: I guess multitasking because you might have to change one kid’s diaper and be holding another one or watching another one.

DADDY BRAD: How about cooking? Where do you draw the line for cooking?

COLLEGE STUDENT 1: If they ask me to cook something that I don’t know the directions for… because I’m not a very good cook.

DADDY BRAD: What if they had a dinner party and asked you to come over and cook for the dinner party and then watch the kids.

COLLEGE STUDENT 1: How much you payin’?

DADDY BRAD: Give me some interview questions you would ask the girls.

MOMMY 2: Usually where they’re from and then I find out what they’re experience is. What ages they’ve baby sat before.

MOMMY 3: Are they intimidated by bottles or baths or balancing or high energy?

MOMMY 2: Their hours. I find out when they can work and if it works for our schedule.

MOMMY 3: It’s so nice to be in front of them so you can read their eyes and see if they make any funny faces when you ask them question about you know “are you ok with doing this and that.”

MARY: I want to give you a notebook to take home for you and your wife. I hope that you two can go on a date soon and call one of our sitters. That’s “the” babysitter book.

DADDY BRAD: This is gold! This has been a wonderful evening. I’m taking this home and I’m going to plan a date night with my little lady. If you want to go to a Mommy Mixer go to MommyMixer.com. Check out when they’re going to be in your city.

MARY: And if it’s not in your city, send us an email and tell us you want it.

DADDY BRAD: That’s right because they’ll come to your city if you want them there. Go to a Mommy Mixer. Get one of these books and start living life! That’s all for us here at DadLabs.com.