late night feedings-care for an infant

To help make those middle of the night feeding last as few months as possible, do not make them exciting. Keep the room as dimly lit as possible, and this is not the feeding that you want to sing and cuddle with your baby. Feed the baby, change the baby, and get him back to sleep. Remember, this is not something you want him to enjoy. As a new mom, you’ll need as much sleep as you can get.

Time management skill to keep track of Appointments

Put a calendar on the fridge and close to a telephone and pencil or pen. If you’d like, color code all activities and appointments by person. A great time management tip as you’ll spend much less time trying to remember who is supposed to be where and when.

"Emergency" Bag for the Car

Great advice for new moms - keep an extra diaper bag in the trunk of your car. In it have one of everything: diaper, small container of wipes, change of clothes, pacifier, etc. When you walk out of the house without replenishing your wipes or grabbing the pacifier, you will be happy to know you have an extra one in the car.

Try this great advice - teach your baby independence

Great advice for moms and babies -as soon as your baby is finished eating, place her in a safe place with toys. This may be on the floor with those toys that go over her head, or in a bouncy seat with toys attached. As this is her most content time, you can teach her to be alone, and most likely she will be happy. This will help as she gets older to learn how to entertain herself for small amounts of time. A great tip for new moms!!

Trust Your Instincts

Remember, you know your baby better than anyone else. Trust your insticts!!! Every day that goes by you will know more than you did about being a mommy than the day before.

good advice to develop good sleep habits

To help care for your new baby - teach your baby to get himself to sleep by putting him down awake. When you know your baby is tired, have him fall asleep in his crib without you holding, patting, or rocking him. It will teach him to get himself to sleep, without creating bad habits that will have to be broken later. Great advice for new mothers!!!

Let Your Husband Help You

Great advice for new moms. Even though you think that no one can take care of your baby better than you, it's important for Dad to form a bond with the new baby, too. Give him some time alone with the baby for feedings, diaper changes and playtime. Chances are his way of doing things will be different from yours, but that doesn't make his way wrong...just different. Relish in receiving the help that you need. And, go take a nap!

Dirty Diaper Disposal Advice

Great idea for moms- keep a ziploc bag with a fabric softener sheet enclosed in your diaper bag. For those times when it is not convenient to dispose of a dirty diaper right away, the scent of the fabric softener sheet will replace the smell of the diaper.

Use this great advice - mommy cards

Try this advice for moms - have cards printed with your name, home phone number, cell phone number, and work number. Any time you leave your child with someone, you’ll be sure to hand them all the information they’ll need in case they have to contact you. Order from "customexpression.com". When you travel with your children, whether far from home or on day trip, place one of your "mommy cards" in their pocket in case you get separated.

homemade scented play dough

Make homemade scented play dough with your children. Mix 2 1/2 cups of flour with 1/2 cup of salt. Add 2 envelopes of kool-aid (any flavor except lemonade). Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to the boil. Add the boiling water and 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix together. Be careful, it will be hot for a little while. Let the kids play with the scented dough. Dough can be stored in plastic bags for a few days.

Errand Rounds to Improve Time Management

You will amaze yourself with how much you can get done in a short amount of time if you follow this advice for moms. Make a list of places you need to go to. Now place them in order from closest to home to furthest away and start the clock. This way, if an alternate stop is en route that you forgot, you will save even more time.

birthday party tip -goody bags

As a giveaway for birtday parties, use disposable cameras. You can find them on sale and put them in a bag with candy if you wish. This is a big hit with all age children and both sexes. It is also a good activity if you’d like them to use a few photos before the party ends.

At the Beach

Take baby powder with you to the beach. After the children get out of the sand, sprinkle them with baby powder, and the sand will fall right off of them. (This also works great for getting hair off after a haircut.)

Tips for Moms - Kitchen Safety

Try using this great idea - cook using only the back two burners on the stove. Practice turning pot handles towards a side or the back rather than at your body.

birthday tip - balloon fairy

Try this special birthday idea - on the eve of your child’s birthday, after they are asleep, buy mylar balloons and place them in their bedroom. When they wake to this wonderful surprise, you can either take credit, or tell them the "balloon fairy" made a visit. Do not do this with babies or very young children as balloons can present a choking hazard.

time management technique - headset makes life easier

Buy a cordless phone with a headset. You will have two hands free to help with your baby, children, and can talk while getting housework done. This advice for moms will help with time management as it is much more freeing than a regular cordless where you are still using one hand to hold the phone.

Reading to Your Children - Great advice

Encourage reading at a very early age. Even if you think your child is not listening, he or she is hearing different sounds and words when you read to them. Very good advice for new moms.

Cordless Headset

Buy a cordless headset telephone. You will be able to talk and still have two hands free to help with your baby, laundry, dinner, or whatever else you need to do.

save money on internet ordering

Try this EASY money saving tip - before you place an online order, always check with a website like "pricezilla.com" for any current coupon codes. You can sometimes get free shipping, or a percent off your purchase.

Crayon Marks on the Walls?

The one and only thing I’ve ever found that will successfully remove crayon marks from a wall is a nifty little product called Goo Gone. I think you can get it at home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.). It’s also great for removing stubborn price tag and sticker adhesive.

Keep bananas fresh longer

To keep bananas fresh longer cut off the tip of it instead of hanging them by it. The peel will still turn brown but the inside will stay fresh for twice as long.

Time Management and Organizational Skills

Avoid morning chaos by using good organizational skills. Select a place near the door where you can keep your keys, briefcase, purse, school supplies, important papers and letters to be mailed. Keep a petty cash fund handy for all those times that a quarter, 80 cents or $1.55 is needed for school or a parking meter, work, etc. Try these time management techniques - Make lunches the nights before. Pack backpacks with homework and library books at night. Pick out what you and your kids are going to wear the following day. When you get ready to leave in the morning, you will be less likely to forget something important.

Shopping with Kids? NOT.

Some children are born shoppers. Others.... Not. Try to save all the out of home chores for when help (husband) arrives home. You will accomplish more without kids in less time and with a lot less frustration. This is great advice for moms, and a good tip for time management.

sleepover activites

Try this great activity for young children - when friends sleep over, use fabric markers to decorate big t-shirts (to be used as nightshirts) or pillowcases. This is a fun activity for kids of various ages.

Diaper-Changing Safety Advice for New Moms

Try this good advice for changing your baby - never turn your back on your baby when she’s on her changing table. Keep one hand on her at all times during a diaper change - it will make both of you feel more secure. A safe way to care for your newborn baby.

gift label tip for organizational skills

Buy personalized printed gift labels with your child’s name on them. No more running around for birthday cards at the last minute. This is a fun idea for moms and kids, as your child can fill in the friend’s name, and place the sticker on the gift. This is also a money saving tip as the labels cost much less than birthday cards. Buy the labels at www.customexpression.com.

printed school pads

A great time management technique -buy pads for school notes that are preprinted with most of the basic information you will have to write to the teacher. You will just have to check off boxes or fill in the blanks about such things as, my child will be going home with _______ today. Huge time saver!!

Effects of a Child

A child will make
love stronger,
days shorter,
nights longer,
the home happier,
the past forgotten,
and the future
worth living for.

-Anonymous

Pacifier Help

Great advice for moms and babies - if your baby takes a pacifier, place several in her crib by her head each night. When it falls out, she can reach around and find one without crying for you. Great tip to help new moms get a little more sleep!!!

use those coupons

How many times have you found yourself at your favorite store and then remembered that you had a coupon at home? Try this good advice for moms - after you cut coupons for your favorite stores, keep them in an envelope in your car. That way, when you find yourself at the store, the coupons are already there.

holiday tip - shopping for gifts

Good advice for busy moms -start shopping early for holiday gifts. Keep them in a special closet with a section for each person on your holiday list. It will help save headaches later.
As a bonus, you will most likely save money, too!!

Thank You Notes

Teach your children early on that thank you notes are mandatory and should be sent after receiving a present. Even the littlest ones can draw a picture or write their name. Make thank-you notes a ritual and it will become second-nature as the kids get older.

Housework? Hah!

Cleaning house while the kids are growing
is like shoveling snow while it’s still snowing.

original source unknown

Try this great idea - pudding painting activity

Make a box of instant pudding. Take your children outside and let them fingerpaint with the pudding. After, they can lick their fingers and you can get out the hose for some water fun!!! A great activity for young children. A wonderful summer craft.

Oily cooking scents?

When you have finished frying foods, and that oily smell surrounds you, pour off the excess fats, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pot/pan and simmer for 20 minutes. This liquid will loosen the baked on grime and the fumes will neutralize the oily smells.

Great tip for moms - Storing Plastic Bags

Use this safety tip every time - plastic bags (grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, etc.) can cause suffocation if a child plays with it. Tie plastic bags in knots when throwing them away.

Relaxing tip for moms - time for yourself

Try this great advice for moms, by moms, as hard as it seems, take 10 - 15 minutes each day for yourself. Read a book, take a bath, whatever makes you feel relaxed. A happy and calm mother is a wonderful thing for a child. If you schedule this in as you do other things, it will happen. If you need help, enlist your mom, husband, or a babysitter. This is a good tip for moms with children of all ages.

picking out clothing

Pick out your outfit and your child’s the night before. This will save time (and possible fights!) in the morning. If they are old enough, let them set out their own outfit.

Getting Kids to Help Clean Up

Be very specific about what you want your child to do. "Clean your room" is vague to most children as well as overwhelming. I usually gather all of the things that I want my son to put away on his bed so that he doesn’t miss anything. It also makes it easier for me to dust and vacuum because his toys are out of the way.

I loved you enough...

"I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all." - Erma Bombeck to her children, on the logic that motivates a mother.

Limit Television Viewing

Watching too much television can distract your kids from doing their homework. Discuss with your child limiting television viewing to one or two hours per day. Make sure that what they watch is appropriate for their age level

Real Learning

"You tell me, and I forget. You teach me, and I remember. You involve me, and I learn."

--Benjamin Franklin

Put Your Foot Down

Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.
~ Chinese proverb

Great advice for moms - Always Pack a Nightlight

Try this great advice - pack a small night-light when traveling with small children. When staying in new places, it makes for easier moving around in the middle of the night. It can also help young children more comfortable falling asleep in a strange place.

Helping Toddlers Learn Shapes

To make eating more fun, cut your children’s food into different shapes. Cut scrambled eggs into triangles, or sandwiches and fruit into circles or squares. Don’t limit yourself to simple shapes, but use your imagination and create different designs. You might enjoy having a theme for a day. Serve round foods like crackers, cookies, or tortillas for a snack. Mention that all of the snacks are round. Do the same with foods of other shapes or use pasta that comes in shapes, including letters and numbers.

Great Grapes

Do not wash grapes until just before serving to prevent premature brown spots and spoilage.

time management skill to organize those socks

Buy socks that are all the same for easy matching at laundry time. Many companies are color coded on the bottom by size to help you determine which socks belong to which person. If you prefer, buy different brands for each child as they usually have a defferent colored stripe on the top. You will save a lot of time when you are folding the laundry. A great organizational skill, and a super tip for time management!

All wrapped up ?

Wrapping extra large gifts is not always necessary. Sometimes just a big bow or trailing ribbons are all you need. If you feel obligated to cover them up, buy a roll of paper table cover (approximately 60"x100’). Similar table covers in colored plastic also come in single table sizes (5’x8’), and are available at most dollar stores. Leftover wallpaper is also an option. Works well for all special occasion gifts, including Christmas and birthdays.

Summer Activity - The Importance of Swimming Lessons

Be sure your child takes swimming lessons. Even if you aren’t inclined to hang around water for fun, consider it a safety issue. This skill will also be helpful as you travel with your young children. It is a wonderful summer activity, and needs to be taken seriously.

Removing A Splinter

When you get a splinter here is an easy way of removing it: Before you reach for the tweezers try grabbing the scotch tape. Place the tape over the splinter and pull it back, this will remove the splinter without pain. Works great with kids; they can even do it themselves.

Caring for Babies - Don´t close your eyes

Think about this great idea - the entire concept of childproofing is not intended to replace you, the guardian, but to free you to safely turn your back long enough to answer the phone or stir a pot. Unfortunately, that is just about all the time it takes for an accident to happen.

grocery shopping

Spend a few minutes planning a weekly menu and shopping list. You’ll go to the grocery store once, not a few times, and won’t spend time each day deciding what is for dinner.

cut coupons to save money

When you make your grocery list each week, sit down with the store’s circular and your coupons. Compare the specials and pull your coupons out before you go. You will be amazed at what you can save, and sometimes even get items for free!! A quick money saving tip!!

following routines

Follow the same routines each day so your children know what to expect. Your days will run more smoothly.

independent children

Let children do all they can by themselves. This helps them feel independent, and frees your time to do the things you need.

Keep onions longer

When you are only using half an onion make sure to save the half with the root. It will stay fresh longer.

managing your home life

Apply the same skills to your home life as you do to your work life, and you will find more time for fun and much less stress.

You can fool some...

"You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool Mom." Unknown

Teaching baby to sleep

Don’t keep things quiet when baby is sleeping. Get her used to noise, and sleeping through it.

Caring for Babies - Childproofing Strategies

Use this great tip for moms - it is never too early to get ready for your baby rolling, crawling, and falling around your home. Any to-do list can never completely eliminate the need for watchfulness, but the peace of mind that comes from preparing well is priceless. Everything does not need to be done in a day. Start low and go slow!
Better to have this completed a day early than a day late!

Easy money saving tip - make your own individual bags

Buying snacks like chips and pretzels in individual servings costs much more than the large bags. Try this money saving tip - buy the larger bags and when you have a few minutes, make a bunch of individual servings for lunches or on the go snacks. It won’t take long, but you will save a lot!!

Baby Food from Scratch

Want to make your own baby food? Mash leftover vegetables (no additives like salt ,pepper, butter etc.) Fill ice cube trays with the results. When frozen, pop out, bag the cubes, label with date, use each as a single serving.

sick days

Have an advance plan for the days your child gets sick. Think about using your sick days, splitting the day with your husband, or working from home if that is a possibility. Some hospitals have "sick rooms" for children.

Caring for Babies - Is Your Baby´s Crib Safe?

Corner posts should be the same height as the end panels, and NOT extend above the end panels. Cribs with cutout designs in end panels must not be used, as a child can strangle by becoming entrapped in cutout. The mattress must fit snugly so that two adult fingers cannot fit between the mattress and the crib side. When a child first climbs out of the crib or is 32"-35" tall, he or she has outgrown the crib and should sleep in a bed.

Citrus Scents

Leave lemons and limes in the fruit bowl rather than refrigerator. They act as air fresheners.

God and Moms

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."

-- Jewish proverb

New Mother Tip - Tips Down

Imagine a 9 month old pulling himself up using the open door of the dishwasher for balance. If he or she grabs at those shiny utensils, which part is tips up? Can the basket be re-located to the back? Try loading at least the knives sharp edge down. Using this great advice will save many unnecessary "boo-boos"!!

Dark/Non-Stick and Glass Pans

Dark nonstick or glass baking pans readily absorb heat and are best used with the baking temperature reduced by 25°.

ice cream watermelon activity

Halve and scoop out most, but not all of the flesh of a honeydew melon. Pack the honeydew with rasberry sherbert and freeze. Slice the honeydew into pieces, and let children press chocolate chips into the sherbert to look like seeds. A fun activity for young children, and very refreshing!!

sharing candy

If your child gets too much candy on Halloween, ask them to make a bag to give away. Your local food bank will be happy to take it. Some hospitals will also be glad to give it to children who were not able to trick-or-treat that year. You’ll teach your child a wonderful lesson and get all that extra candy out of your house!!

advice for moms - talk to other moms

Try this great advice for moms - talk to other moms about what is happening with your child. It is such a big help to not only get advice, but knowing you are not alone is wonderful. Most likely, any challenges you are facing have been faced by one of your friends. If you are new in the area, join a mom’s club.

quick money saver - games for gifts

An easy money saving tip - watch your newspaper circulars. A couple of times a year, ToysRUs has all the popular games buy one, get one free. Stock up on the games that are appropriate for your children’s ages. They will come in very handy, and are great gifts.

outdoor furniture savings advice

When you are in the market for outdoor furniture, wait until July 4th. Most stores still have a very good selection, and it gets marked down early in July, as the fall merchandise will be coming in soon.
A practical money saving tip.

Keeping Mirrors Fog-Free

Reduce bathroom mirror fogging by cleaning it with shaving cream on a weekly basis. This trick also reduces the fogging of eyeglasses.

Child-rearing Is a Work of Love

"I looked on child-rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best that I could bring it."
-- Rose Kennedy

Cheap Way to Cover Chips on Appliances

Use top-quality correction fluid to cover nicks, chips, and scratches on enameled ranges and refrigerators, porcelain tiles, and sinks. Works like a charm and it comes in a variety of colors.

save money on tourist attractions

Try this easy money saving tip - when you are planning a day trip to a museum, aquarium, or an amusement park, check their website for any coupons offered. You can also call the attraction and ask if there are any special offers. Sometimes, there are coupons available a nearby businesses, and if you are on vacation, you wouldn’t have seen the advertisements on tv.

The Love of the Parent

"We never know the love of the parent till we become parents ourselves."

-- Henry Ward Beecher

Behind Every Great Man...

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

George Washington

When Kids Won´t Clean Up

After children have a chance to put their belongings away, and haven´t, place the items in a box. Your kids can redeem them by doing extra chores around the house. This is not a punishment, this is an exchange of labor -- you had to pick up their stuff, now they have to do something for you. Don´t make chores a punishment. If you think of housework as a punishment yourself, you need to get things straight in your own mind. Certain tasks simply must be done to keep a household running. Doing them doesn´t make you a servant. You do it for the good of the family --including yourself.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

It was very hard the first time I left my kids at their grandparents’ house to get away with my husband for a weekend. It is very important, however, to take a break. It makes me appreciate my kids more than I already do.

practical money saving on school supplies

School supplies go on sale before school starts each year. Buy enough for the year, not just what you need to get started. The prices are so much higher after school starts on things you will need later, like crayons, pens, markers, glue, scissors and more. By stocking up early, you can use this tip for saving money on supplies for the whole school year.

Look-a-like Cups?

Party time or just lots of kids visiting? Don’t mix up look alike cups. Use masking tape and marker to label each with the owner’s name.

"emergency" diaper bag

Pack an extra diaper bag with one of everything; diaper, wipes, an outfit, pacifier, etc. You never know when you’ll use it!!! Leave it in the trunk of your car.

Add a Little Baking Soda

Add about 1/8 cup of baking soda (instead of dry bleach) in the wash cycle of your laundry. Clothes will be brighter and smell cleaner (as a result, you can reduce the amount of detergent you use and save money)!

Preventing Tarnish

Place a piece of white chalk in your silver chest or jewelry box to absorb moisture and help prevent tarnishing of silverware and jewelry.

fun activity - scavenger hunt

Try this great idea - leave gifts in hidden spots all over your house. At each spot have a gift with a small note or poem giving hints where to find the next gift. Kids will love the hunt as much as the gifts!! A great way to celebrate birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any holiday!!!

I feel Heat.. Where´s the fire?

Fevers usually don't indicate anything serious in kids that are relatively healthy. Although a child's rising temperature causes alarm in most parents, fever itself can actually be a good thing — it's often the body's way of fighting infections. Not all fevers need to be treated and sometimes introducing fever-reducing medicine can actually prolong the fever by not allowing it to run its course. High fever, however, can make your kids uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration. Check with your doctor to determine the temperature at which your he or she needs to be notified.

money saving tip for holiday cards

A great money saving tip and also a time saving tip - buy your printed holiday/Christmas cards early. Many printers give large discounts for ordering early. If you write your own, buy them for almost nothing after Christmas.

Tip for Mom - Playground Equipment

Use this safe mommy tip - make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12" of woodchips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or safety-tested rubber, or rubber-like materials. The protective surfacing should extend at least 6’ in all directions from all equipment. For swings, the surfacing should extend (in back and front) twice the height of the suspended bar.

Frozen goodies

If you plan on freezing lots of small items like blueberries, strawberries, or meatballs, place in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for about 1/2 an hour. Afterwards, bag them. Now they will stay individual rather than a block and make using and measuring much easier.

Freezer packs

Store your packaged juice containers in the freezer. Not only do the kids not raid them as often, but they make great freezer packs in coolers and lunch bags.

sleepover activity - fun idea

A great sleepover tip - whether it is a sleep over party or just one friend, decorate t-shirts or pillowcases with fabric markers. If you use t-shirts, they can be worn as pajamas for the sleep over. This makes a nice goody bag as well.

Great advice - Be Prepared for Baggage Loss

Always include a card with your address on it INSIDE your luggage...just in case the outside luggage tag gets ’lost.’ well. Have a printed "card for mom" with your name and important phone numbers made at "customexpression.com". This travel tip will be very handy in getting your luggage back if it ever gets lost.

Baby Shower: Gifts that really Count

Good advice for moms, from moms - explore the cost and availability of a nanny/housekeeper/cleaning lady for some time after the baby is born. The little extra help goes a long way towards making the introduction of your baby to yourself and other family members that much easier. This option could potentially be extended by timely Valentines day gifts, birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Mother’s day, etc. Any excuse will do.

help with school days

You can help with your child’s school in many ways. Volunteer to plan parties, make phone calls, or donate snacks for parties.

smooth mornings

Pack your children’s lunches and backpacks the night before. Make sure library books and homework are in the backpacks so you are not running around in the morning looking for these items.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless, colorless gas that can render you unconscious before you can react. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your bedroom and close to the furnace for the earliest warning.

What is a normal temperature?

Fever? Normal temperatures are 98.6F or 37C. by mouth, slightly higher(about half a degree) for rectal , and slightly lower( about half a degree) for underarm(auxilla). Forehead and ear thermometers read somewhere between auxilla and mouth.

gift labels

Buy preprinted gift labels and note pads. Use the gift labels on birthday presents. No more running around at the last minute for cards. Buy preprinted note pads for school notes, you’ll just have to fill in the blanks for things such as: my child will be picked up today by _______, and please excuse my child’s absence on _________.

personalized gift labels

Buy preprinted gift labels with your child(ren)’s names. Anytime they have a birthday party, just stick one of the labels on the gift. No more running around at the last minute for a card. It is also much less expensive than buying individual cards. You can buy them at "customexpression.com". They work great for gifts for all special occastions. Pick a picture your child loves, have the label printed with "a gift for" and leave space to fill in the name. On the bottom put your own personalized message.

No crumbs? No panic

Try substituting your children’s favorite cereal as the basis for needed breadcrumbs that may be in short supply. Unsweetened whole grain oats, rice and corn cereals work best.

Share Your Memories with Family Storytelling

Try this wonderful family activity - Reminisce about when you were little. Show pictures of yourself to your child, and relate some of your feelings about that particular time in your life. Describe things that happened at school or talk about what your favorite things to do were. Tell your child about your brothers and sisters or friends.

Great Advice About Bike Helmets

Bike helmet tips: Buy a helmet that bears a label saying it meets established safety standards. Wear the helmet flat atop your head; do not wear the helmet tilted back at an angle. Make sure the helmet fits snugly and does not obstruct your field of vision. Always wear the helmet with the chin strap firmly buckled. No combination of twisting or pulling should remove the helmet from the head or loosen the buckle on the strap. Do not use a helmet after it has been involved in an accident. Damage to the helmet may not be visible to an untrained eye. Even very small cracks in the helmet may greatly reduce a helmet’s effectiveness in preventing injury.

meals

Make kid-friendly meals in advance or cook something quick and easy. Have a sandwich night each week.

Hostess Gifts - Flowers

Fresh flowers are a stunning and appreciated hostess gift but they can also be fussy and time consuming to attend. If this is your idea of choice, consider having them delivered earlier than your own arrival.

No more breadcrumbs?

The cupboard was bare. You need breadcrumbs, now. Plug in the toaster and toast those crusts no one eats, anyway. Place in a bag and roll into crumbs.

Christmas cards

If possible, get the envelopes to your Christmas cards months early. For example, address the envelopes over the summer when you have more time to spare. When the busy holiday month approaches, all you will have to do is insert the card. If you are having them printed, some printers give big discounts if you order early.

Fun idea - winter picnic activity

In the middle of winter,try this fun "summer" activity - call a picnic night. Spread out a blanket, serve hot dogs and hamburgers, and even let the kids wear bathing suits if they want. This is a nice change from the cold and snow.

gift labels

Buy preprinted gift labels for all the birthday parties your child(ren) get invited to. It is much less expensive than all those birthday cards. As a bonus, once the labels are in your home, no more last minute errands to buy the card!! Try "customexpression.com", a great website for buying labels and other personalized printed items. A great money saving tip and also a time saving tip.

Jobs Well Done

"If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much."

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Cookie Crumbs

Keep broken cookies in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Combine and use with graham crumbs for your next recipe.

2 by 2´s for sleepover tips

Follow this advice to figure out how many sleep over friends are best? One per child. If you have three children, invite one friend for each. If you are planning a party for one particular child (birthday, for example) see if you can arrange a competing sibling to visit elsewhere for the night. This not only frees up a bed, but lessens the rivalry and disappointment ("it’s not fair!!") chants. Keep to even numbers in case teams are chosen for any activity.

Doctor Visits

Here's a great tip for new moms - the best time to schedule a doctor's appointment for your baby is first thing in the morning or right after lunch. The doctor is at his most attentive during these times.

Exercise in the Morning

If you find yourself unable to exercise during the day or evening because too many other commitments get in your way, consider exercising first thing in the morning before anyone else gets up. You will start your morning refreshed and have the rest of the day to do whatever comes your way.

Prepare a Weekly Menu

Prepare a weekly menu before you go to the grocery store. You will focus on buying only what you need instead of making last-minute impulse purchase. Plus, you will not be stumped with what to make for dinner.

M&M Colors

If you are trying to teach your toddler his colors, consider using M&M's. You can give your child an M&M for every color he identifies correctly. He will have his colors down pat in no time!

Potty Training Boot Camp

Set aside a full day for potty training boot camp. Give your child lots of liquids and take him to the bathroom every fifteen minutes. Have your child pull his pants down and sit on the toilet regardless of whether he actually urniates or not. Repeat this ritual throughout the entire day in fifteen minute increments. He will get used to the process of going on the potty even though he doesn't actually go each time. Repetition is key.

Kids Need to Play More and Memorize Less

Take it from the experts...kids need to play more and memorize less.

In their book Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn -And Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less authors Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff and Diane Eyer address parents' growing infatuation with hurrying intellectual development. Kids who are pushed early to excel in academics don't fair much better than children who are allowed to play more. The authors assert that children learn best through simple playtime, which enhances problem solving skills, attention span, social development and creativity.

A simple concept...play more and learn more!

Use Repositionable Stickers for Wall Art

Repositionable stickers (peel-and-stick appliqués) can transform any room in your house from mundane to magnificent. Most stickers work on any smooth, dry and clean surface including walls, mirrors, tiles, and other accessories. Simply apply the sticker to your wall or other surface, press down to remove any bubbles and voila! Instant art. The best part is the stickers are not permanent like wallpaper or paint. You can remove them at any time and move to another location or simply return the sticker to its liner/backer and save it for next year. Use stickers for children’s bedrooms, playrooms, or around the house for different seasons or holidays. The ideas are endless.

You can find repositionable stickers at craft stores like Michaels or online at RoomMates, (http://www.roommatespeelandstick.com).

sleepover tip - get them to sleep!!

When possible, have kid sleepovers on Friday nights rather than Saturday nights. Children are typically more tired on Friday and will fall asleep earlier and easier. Also, they have the rest of the weekend to rest up if they need to.

Find Your Niche

Like many entrepreneurs in major cities, you must decide which economic level and geographic community you’ll serve. For example, you may choose to provide after-school care for low income children in one part of the community, or open a high-tech fitness facility for youngsters in a more affluent area. Look for an underserved niche--one in which there’s not a long list of entrenched competition--and then do some research to determine if it represents a viable market for you.