Morning Rush

Set your alarm clock for 15 minutes earlier than you need to get up to get the kids off to school.  That way you don't have to jump out of bed the second your eyes open.  Rather, you can relax for a few minutes before you wake up.  This will help to put you in a better mood and make the morning go more smoothly.

IN CASE THEY GET LOST

Starting at 2 years old, start teaching your kid their full name, phone number and address.  Repeat it several times a day, turn it into a song or a rhyme, and quiz them at dinnertime!  Heaven forbid they get separated from you at a store, amusement park, etc., an adult will be able to help them to get back to you.

INEXPENSIVE WAY TO CREAT THEME ROOM

Do your kids want a "theme" in their bedroom, such as Diego, Mario, Cinderella, etc?  The specialty furniture, lamps and curtains can cost a fortune - especially the theme beds.  Try this trick instead: buy inexpensive white furniture, and decorate it with wall cling art in the theme of your child's choice.  You can find virtually any themed cling art online for a relatively cheap price.  Add matching clings to the walls.  The clings stick for as long as you want them to, and when your child changes their mind, simply peel off and replace with a new theme.

As for the curtains, go to JoAnns Fabrics and pick out a fabric with your child's theme.  If no one in your circle of friends or family sews, ask the salespeople to direct you to someone who can inexpensively turn the fabric into curtains, pillows, pillow cases, etc. 

Add a matching bedspread and/or stuffed animal, and voila, you have your child's dream room for at a cost that is not a nightmare!

GET INVOLVED AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL

Studies show that the children of parents who are involved at school perform better academically.  So volunteer your time - attend open parent organization meetings, volunteer for lunch duty, be homeroom mom or dad, or just be an extra helper at class parties and on class trips.  Another benefit will be that the teachers and staff will get to know you, which will result in a better relationship between them and your child.

GETTING PICKY EATER TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGGIES

Is your child a picky eater who refuses to eat fruit and vegetables? Try these tricks for disguising them!

Veggie Tricks:
-turn spinach into spinach dip on crackers, celery & carrots;
-turn broccoli into broccoli cakes; and
-turn mashed potatoes into potato pancakes.

Fruit Tricks:
-spread a little peanut butter on apple slices (if doc has given you green light for peanut butter);
-spread cream cheese on celery;
-give them a little salad dressing to dip carrots into; and
-squirt a little whipped cream on strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, etc. 

The minimal calorie and sugar increase will be far outweighed by the healthy benefits of the fruit, and will get your little one used to eating healthy. Also, describing the above as "treats" makes the kids more eager to try them!  Good luck!

School Morning Tip

Winter is fast approaching.  If you don't want to spend another one furiously scrambling each morning before school to locate and match gloves, hats, scarves, etc., try this tip:  Give each child their own large ziplock or shoebox full of their winter accessories, and keep it in their own space in the closet.  As soon as they come home from school, have them put their accessories right back inside.  Anything that promotes peace and calmness in the morning and gets the kids out the door on time is worth a try, right?!

DELAYING VACCINATIONS

These days, taking your child to the doctor could mean having them get hit with 3 or more vaccines at a time.  With all of the debates and studies surrounding the safety of vaccines, many parents feel uneasy with vaccinations to begin with, and worry about overwhelming their children's little immune systems with multiple vaccines at once.  Add to the mix that many kids often feel lousy and/or feverish after their shots, and you have some very scared parents. 

If you are not one of the anti-vaccine parents that refuse vaccinations altogether, but still feel uneasy, don't be afraid to discuss spreading the vaccines out over a longer time period with your doctor.  Many doctors are agreeable to letting you fall a little bit behind the recommended schedule in order to have your child receive fewer vaccines at one time.  Your doctor can also advise you as to which vaccines are important to get now, and which may be delayed.  If your doctor is inflexible, it may be time to consult another pediatrician - one who is willing to work with the parents' concerns for their child's welfare.

WARM BATHTIME TRICK

Want to keep your little ones, especially newborns, warm during bathtime in the cold winter months?  Buy a small, "cool touch" (so the kids can't get burned) space heater.  You can pick one up for under $30 at most local stores and online.  Place it well away from water to prevent electric shock (i.e. not on the ledge of the tub, sink basin or where it can fall into the toilet) and turn it on a few minutes before bathtime.  The kids will stay warm while bathing, drying off and changing into their warm pjs.  Now that I think of it, I might just try this one for myself!

QUICK & CHEAP MAKEUP REMOVER

Want a quick way to take off your makeup, and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for makeup remover pads?  Grab a babywipe!  Just make sure it is "sensitive" and "alcohol free".  See this clip for a demonstration of how good it works:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjWX-BL0uI

STROLLER RECALL

Recall Alert: BOB Jogging Strollers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 411,700 BOB single and double strollers on October 11, 2011. The backing patch on the stroller canopy’s embroidered logo can detach, which can pose a choking hazard to babies and young children. There have been six reports of children putting the patch in their mouths, including two incidents where gagging and choking were reported. In all of the incidents, the patches were removed from the children without injury. This recall involves all BOB strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010 -- they have the BOB, Ironman or Stroller Strides brand name on the canopy. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label with the manufacturing date on it. Strollers with no date listed are also included in this recall. These strollers have been sold at REI, Babies “R” Us, other children’s products and sporting goods stores and on Amazon.com from November 1998 to October 2011 for $280 to $600. If you have one of these strollers, immediately stop using it until you remove the backing patch from the logo. You can contact BOB Trailers for removal instructions or more information at (855) 242-2245 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (855) 242-2245      end_of_the_skype_highlighting between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday, or you can visit the company’s website at BOBNotices.com.

Weight Loss Trick

Want to lose 3 pounds this year without even trying?  Try this simple trick.  Downsize your morning latte 5 x week - switch from large to medium and save calories a day = 40 calories day = 10400 calories year = 3 pounds, without so much as looking at a treadmill!  Thanks to Dr. Melina Jampolis for the great tip!

Get Rid Of Ants

Having a problem with ants?  Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the ground.   The next time you look, the ants will be gone!