MOMI SWAP™ MAKES IT EASY FOR FAMILIES TO CUT CHILDCARE COSTS
Majidah Muhammad, founder & CEO, momi swap™
Quality childcare is a major expense for most families across the United States. The national average cost of childcare ranges between $9,000-$9,600 annually (per child!) — that’s more than the cost of one year’s tuition and fees at a four-year public university in 28 states. But for Black families — who, on average, work more and earn less than other demographics — childcare costs are an even bigger financial burden. With center-based childcare amounting to as much as 42% of the median incomefor a typical Black family, and the national average babysitting rate exceeding $15 per hour for one child, innovative solutions are needed to address the childcare crisis facing families across the country.
Enter momiswap.com — a new online platform that enables mothers to swap childcare duties with other moms as a creative (and cost-effective) alternative to traditional childcare options. Ahead of the website’s launch later this month, we spoke to momi swap™ founder & CEO, Majidah Muhammad, about the mom community she’s building.
Noirnomics: Please tell us about yourself and your background.
Majidah Muhammad: I am a wife, mom, educator and community builder. In 2009, I graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Child Development, then joined Teach for America. In 2011, I graduated from George Mason University with a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. I have served children in the classroom for 10 years, thus felt prepared to co-found a Homeschool Co-op in 2016. I currently teach 2–5 year olds how to calculate numbers, decode words, be kind, and think critically, among other things. The classroom experience has prepared me to advocate for change over the course of my life, as an educator and parent. I love to learn, travel and laugh.
What is momi swap™?
momi swap™ is an online community of moms who support each other in words and deeds. We make it easy for moms to swap childcare for childcare, instead of money. We help moms meet their last-minute, occasional, and preplanned childcare needs.
Why did you decide to build momi swap™?
I’m a millennial mom that enjoys adventure, exploring the city, meeting new people, nurturing friendships and traveling. Having children slowed much of that activity down because not every event was for them to attend. My biggest challenge as a mom has been finding last-minute and occasional childcare. Not just finding childcare — there are lots of childcare sites out there — but more importantly, financing childcare.
Just imagine, date night with bae: it could cost between $50 and $100. Plus childcare on average is $15 per hour. So let’s say, you and bae plan to be out for 4 hours — that’s a total of up to $160 for the night! Paying for a babysitter each time my husband and I wanted to go out just wasn’t in the budget. This is not including times I have meetings or events to attend and both my husband and mom are busy. Each time I was scrambling for childcare, I knew there had to be a better way. So I set out to create a solution that would serve the needs of parents. Why not bring moms together to swap childcare? Thus, momi swap™ was born — where moms and childcare intersect.
More than anything, moms need moms and moms trust other moms. We need a support system that allows us to just take a break without having to do everything for everyone; a support system that allows us to do what we want, when we want it, without worrying about who will care for our children.
How does momi swap™ work?
Before joining our platform, each mom will be background checked. Once she passes the background, she will create a profile and video to introduce herself. Then, she’ll post a date and details of when she needs childcare. A mom who is available will agree to care for the child by responding to the post. And Voila! Mom has childcare for up to 6 hours.
Children will be cared for in their own homes and moms will be sent pictures and a video during care. To make this community even sweeter, we will have monthly momi meet ups.
Why is momi swap™ a good alternative to traditional babysitters?
momi swap™ is a good alternative to traditional babysitters because moms needs moms, and moms trust moms. Moms know how to love, encourage, and care for their children, so trusting another mom to do the same for your child is must easier. It takes a lot of the guess work out of childcare. With momi swap™, each care session can also be a playdate if the mom brings her children along. We are building community amongst moms and children.
What safety protocols are in place to protect children and mothers?
We care about our families. Trust and safety is our top priority. We go the extra mile to make sure moms and children are protected. Our process is built for peace of mind to provide families with comfort while their child is in another mom’s care.
Background Check : We partner with EvidentID, an industry respected and trusted safety company. Before joining our platform, each mom must pass a background check that includes sex offender records, ID and address verification, and Global Watchlist.
Detailed Momi Profiles with video introductions: Each mom will create a profile with an intro video, tell us about her family, her skills and life experiences. This is the perfect way to connect with moms with similar interests, experience, and who are like-minded.
Monthly Momi Meetups: We go beyond just putting a name to a picture. We are obsessed with our moms and love to meet in person. Our momi meetups allow moms to build community, bonds and trust.
Videos & Pictures sent during care: One of the sweetest parts of our day, as moms, is picture mail of our children. We love it! Moms will know what their child is up to and how they’re spending their time away from you by receiving pictures and video during care.
In-Home Care: Keeping children happy and comfortable is important to us, thus moms come to you (with or without their own children). This keeps your children in their routine, and with their toys and bed (if necessary).
What’s next for momi swap™?
By the end of May, momi swap™ will be fully launched and engaging with moms on our platform. We will have our launch momi meetup in July.
The Muhammad family: Khabir, Mali (20 months), Majidah, and Haqq (5 years old)
What unique joys and challenges have you experienced as a Black mompreneur?
Launching my website landing and social media page has been the biggest joy thus far. I’ve received a lot of great feedback and excitement for the full launch. The biggest challenge has been multi-tasking building this business and spending time with my family. Mommy guilt creeps in when I’m not being as patient with my children while working on business content.
How can readers contact you and learn more?
You can find us on Instagram: @momiswap, via email: info@momiswap.com, and at momiswap.com.