Parent Hacks

How to avoid hanging clothes while emptying the dryer

via bewilderedmother.wordpress.com

@bewilderedmom shared this very funny post about hating to hang up clothes after taking them out of the dryer for folding. Assuming one gets to the dryer after it buzzes and doesn't forget about it for two days, leaving the contents in a compressed, wrinkled heap. (Thank God for the Touch Up setting.)

Where was I? Oh, yes! Hanger hatred! Which I share in a big, big way. She came up with an ideal hack for her hangerphobia, which, as a bonus, provides serious motivation to put the clothes away immediately. You might guess the hack from the picture, but you should still read the full post, if only to see this hack's pop culture inspiration.

Read the full post at Diary of a Bewildered Mother: The Cure for Hangerphobia

Another cure for hanger hatred just occured to me: wall-mounted clothes hooks near the dryer!

If screwing something into the wall scares you, try Command self-adhesive hooks -- they stick well and can be removed without damaging paint or leaving stickum behind.

More: Hacks for getting through the laundry

Organize art supplies with dollar store bins + laminated labels

via tinyleafstudio.com

Several attendees of the "Getting Organized" chat asked for tips on how to organize art supplies. My overarching strategy for all organizing projects is "Simplify, Routinize, Delegate," and Jess of Tiny Leaf Studio did just that with her craft closet.

Simplify: Declutter then sort the art supplies into categories. That way you know how much storage space you need and how many containers to buy.

Routinize: Create a home for each category of supplies. In this case, Jess chose a closet shelf and clearly-labeled handled bins. Having a specific home for art supplies enables a simple routine for when kids want to do an art project: you and they know where the supplies are and which ones to pull out for a given project.

If you have older kids and the room, consider choosing a spot the kids can reach themselves (see Delegate.)

Delegate: The grab handles, absense of lids, and big, colorful labels make it so much easier for the kids to clean up after themselves. Less work for you, and more likely you won't cringe when the kids say "Let's do an art project!"

(Note Jess's clever use of cheap, Dollar Store bins and her personal laminator.)

For more how-to, read the full post at Tiny Leaf Studio: 
Unplanned project: closet craft organization

More: Hacks for organizing art supplies

Writer, mother, extrovert: a tricky balance

How did I, a fundamentaly social person, end up self-employed as a writer, followed by stay-at-home motherhood? Two of the most isolating, solitary jobs one could do?

In my latest post at Babble Voices, I talk about how easy it can be to forget about your fundamental needs even as you walk down the path toward a full and happy life. And one easy thing you can do to adjust course.

Read the full post at Babble Voices: The Accidental Expert: Writer, Mother, Extrovert: A Tricky Balance

New favorite craft material: polymer clay

Polymer clay (such as Sculpey and Fimo) has everything going for it: it's inexpensive, widely-available, versatile, long-lasting, easy to use, easy to clean up, and open to endless interpretation.

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Live talk recap: Best Ideas for Getting Organized

Yesterday's live talk at The Motherhood may have been an even bigger inspiration to me than to the attendees. Here are the highlights.

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Perfect first baking project: Blondies

I stumbled onto a recipe for Mark Bittman's Blondies over the weekend, and I hereby dub it The Perfect Recipe for a New Baker.

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Divide your to-do list by context

Does your paper to-do list get too unwieldy? Do you get overwhelmed by "home" to-dos cluttering your list while you're busy with work? Here's Hillary's practical solution.

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DIY science experiment table

Most of us relish the idea of a little mad science with the kids, but then we run into the reality of gathering the materials and finding the space to work. Undaunted (and motivated by her daughter's love of science), Michelle set out to solve this problem.

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Do you need a professional organizer?

There are many good books and online services that can help you get organized. But if you've tried them without success, consider bringing in a partner -- either a friend or a pro.

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Join me for a live talk on getting organized: Monday 1/23/12

The Motherhood has asked me to host a live talk on getting organized, and you're all invited! Join me, Christine Koh, and Meagan Francis for 30 lively, productive minutes on Monday, 1/23/12.

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