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~ Tips - Many
provided by our Readers! ~
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Before a child's party, scoop ice cream into paper cupcake holders and
store the treats in the freezer.
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Protect a child from discomfort or skin burns by placing a towel over the
car's seat on hot, sunny days.
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Smear a tiny bit of petroleum jelly above your baby's eyebrows to easily
channel soapy water or shampoos away from their eyes.
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When first lacing up new shoes, tie knots in the laces after the first two
hold have been threaded so your child can't pull them out accidentally.
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Toss a small hand towel over the top of a bathroom door so it won't close
completely. This way, little ones are less likely to lock themselves in.
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Wear-n-Wash - Get your kids some inexpensive white T-shirts and some
soap crayons-the kind kids play with while in the tub. Let them draw
and color the shirts anyway they want. They can wear the shirts all
day and you can toss them in the wash at night. They'll be ready to
go the next time your kids are feeling a little artistic. |
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A
Surprise in the Birthday Cake - Like the Mardi Gras King Cake, bake a
little edible something like a gummy bear or worm in your child's birthday
cake. Get a special prize for the lucky child to get the special piece of
cake. Kids love this! |
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If
your kids love to finger paint, pour some of their favorite colors into a Styrofoam
egg carton so they have a nice little palette to work with. |
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Kids who are learning to use scissors and are practicing to cut on the lines
will enjoy cutting out savings coupons for you. |
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Keep a toy telephone next to your real phone. When you get a call have
your child answer their phone and talk while you do. |
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While you work in the kitchen, give your child a cookie sheet to use as a
lap tray. The sides keep toys and crayons from rolling off. |
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Your toddler's room becomes one big playpen with the addition of Dutch
doors. Lock the bottom of the door and leave the top open so you can see
what the little one is doing. |
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To avoid constant clock waiting during the hectic morning rush, set the
kitchen timer to go off a few minutes before the kids have to leave the
house. |
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Instead of listing your children's friends in your phone book under their
names, provide a page for each of your children and write their names
there. Saves time in an emergency when last names escape you. |
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If you want your child to clean their own nails, an old toothbrush is the
perfect size for little fingers. |
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Wrap a strip of masking tape around the container of baby powder so it's
handy if you accidentally tear off a disposable diaper tab. |
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Once
a week, prepackage chips, cookies, nuts, dried fruits, raisins and other
goodies in plastic sandwich bags and store them in a large sealed
container. When it's time to fix your children's lunch, toss the prepared
bags into the lunch box or sack, along with a sandwich and fruit. This
really saves time in the morning, especially if you have to fix several
lunches each day. |
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When bathing your baby, pin a bath towel around you neck like a bib.
You'll stay dry and have an instant warm wrap for the baby. |
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No time to read the newspapers or mail. While rocking baby to sleep, read
them aloud. They will think you are talking to them and will enjoy the
sound of your voice as much as a lullaby and you'll get to read. |
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Do
you feel like you are forever waiting on your kids while sitting in your
car? Always have a crossword puzzle book or magazine in the glove
compartment to work on while you are waiting. An audio book works
wonders! |
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Fill a plastic swimming pool with sand to make a small sand box for your
child to build sand castles in. |
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Always spread newspapers under the high chair when feeding your child.
This makes cleanup a snap. |
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Use a 3 minute egg timer when your child brushes his/her teeth. Make a
game of it and your child will brush longer. |
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When you take the
baby out for a walk in the stroller, fasten a rattle or favorite toy to the
handle of the stroller with a plastic shower curtain ring that clips shut.
No more dropping the toys again and again. |
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When your feed your baby solids, put the food in a coffee mug instead of a
bowl. The handle makes is easier to hold. |
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An old twin mattress
is perfect for an extra bed for a child's sleep-overs. Cover it with a
plastic mattress cover and slide it under the bed to storage. Keep it
hidden from view with a dust ruffle, and when pulled out for use, it is
easily made up. It also provides a great place for children to
bounce and tumble. |
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To preserve your child's artwork and prevent the colors from fading over
time, spray with a light coating of hair spray. This works especially well
on chalk drawings. |
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When your child cuts a lip or tongue, offer them an ice pop. The cold
helps stop the bleeding and tears and you'll have a better chance to look
at the wound under less than hysterical circumstances. |
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When your baby is
old enough to sit in the bathtub, here's a good hint. Place a rectangular
plastic laundry basket in the big tub and pop baby into the basket. Water
flows in and out, tub toys stay within reach and baby feels secure being
able to hold on to the sides of the basket. |
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If your children are reluctant to give up unused possessions, offer to
help arrange a garage sale for them, and let them keep the proceeds. |
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When your children are small and are forever slipping and slouching in
their high chairs, apply some textured bathtub appliqués to the seat and
back of the high chair. No more slide-away baby! |
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To teach preschoolers their phone numbers or addresses, sing the numbers
to a nursery rhyme. (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star works well with a phone
number) Children learn the numbers quickly if the parents sing along with
them. |
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When discarding
plastic bags, especially large ones from the cleaners, always tie several
knots in them, ensuring that no child or animal can get into them. |
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A teaspoon of peanut butter will get rid of hiccups and children love it! |
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To remove crayon
marks on walls: Apply plain white toothpaste to the marks and leave on for
1/2 hour. Wipe off with dry cloth. |
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Stuff a miniature
marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. |
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Use a meat baster to squeeze unusual pancake shapes for your kids. They
love to eat an "S" or a flower. This is great for
sleepovers. |
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To
quell those end-of-summer blues, throw a "Back to School
Party". The kids can play games like "Pin the tail on the
donkey", bobbing for apples, etc. Reward the winners with
inexpensive prizes like rulers, crayons, writing paper, pens, pencils and
glue. |
