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Category archive: 01-03yrs (toddler)
12 May 08 | Comments: 2
IT CAN BE DONE. From Linda: Here's how I manage to load and unload the dishwasher with a toddler (18 months) who wants to be involved with EVERYTHING I do: while she is sitting in her toddler chair, I give...
Bag clips hold seatbelts during carseat installation12 May 08 | Comments: 0
Here's how Andy and Chris simplified car seat installation: Installing car seats is a whole lot of no fun, particularly if you have seat belts that automatically retract. We figured out a little hack that makes our car seat installation...
How to trick the autoflush toilet sensor in public restrooms09 May 08 | Comments: 14
This may be the most useful tip you'll get all year. From James: My son had the bejebus scared out of him by the autoflushing toilet when we were just starting training. I don't blame him, me holding him over...
Veggie scrubber doubles as high chair de-gunker09 May 08 | Comments: 0
Brooke's found a way to get the crusties off the high chair: I am in love with my veggie scrub. (I'm sure the mesh bags avocados come in would do the same thing.) Both are great at scrubbing potatoes and...
The magical, multifunctional properties of painter's tape08 May 08 | Comments: 17
Jen in Toronto loves her blue tape! For good reason: We use painter's tape a lot around our house, and we take a roll with us when we travel. It makes a great impromptu electrical outlet cover. We use it...
Lotion as "medicine" for boo-boos05 May 08 | Comments: 10
Serena's new "magic healing potion" is plain old lotion: New hack I came up with on the spot for our not-quite three year old, who is very much into rituals, such as putting medicine on a cut and then the...
Bibs worn during morning toothbrushing keep clothes clean and dry05 May 08 | Comments: 1
Here's how Jill keeps weekday mornings moving along: I’ve found a use for the nice, big, plastic bibs that my daughters (3 YO & 1.5 YO) no longer use while eating. I store a couple of bibs in the bathroom...
Smelly diaper ointment reveals "stealth poop"05 May 08 | Comments: 4
Heather discovered that original Desitin ointment has an unexpected benefit: Three of my kids have had GI issues that have at times resulted in what we call 'stealth poop' - that is, no odor or very mild odor. Usually, those...
Amazon diaper deal: $20 off with a $99 Pampers or Luvs order02 May 08 | Comments: 2
I've been waiting for the Amazon diaper promotion to return! Through May, if you spend $99 on select Pampers or Luvs products , you'll get $20 off a future purchase at Amazon. Read the fine print -- that $20 off...
Retired diaper changing pad works as Play Doh play surface01 May 08 | Comments: 7
Lindsay's found a better site than the kitchen floor for playdough play: Webster's Dictionary defines the word "frustration" as my attempt to find a suitable surface cover during my toddler's play-doh adventures. He prefers to play on the wooden floor...
Teach colors with food coloring on your tongue!30 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Eleni's creative hack could dovetail nicely with the colored milk trick... My niece is two years old and while she is learning to count (so far she can go from one to mawebban [11]) she has had trouble learning her...
Label breastmilk bottles with electrical tape29 Apr 08 | Comments: 10
Heather's handy tip for pumpers: I use white electrical tape to label my bottles of pumped breast milk with the time and date. It's economical, and the tape comes off very easily. I recommend writing in a ballpoint pen because...
Parent Hacks exclusive: THE CRAZY PARENT WORKOUT!!!!29 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Hey, parents! Tired of that persistent belly pooch, but too tired to work out? No time to exercise? Parent-child swim lessons coming up? What if I told you that you could get all your errands and school pickups done FASTER...
Amazon Kelty KIDS sale: 20% (or more) off child carriers and accessories29 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
Amazon's really wants to outfit you for your summertime adventures -- their annual Kelty KIDS sale is going on now. I see a good selection of backpack child carriers and accessories and some nice-looking diaper backpacks and duffels (some of...
Guest post at Savvy Source: Ten easy Parent Hacks for "greening" everyday life with kids28 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
In honor of their April theme, "It's Easy Being Green," I wrote a guest post for the Savvy Source blog, Being Savvy. In it, I point to ten Parent Hacks that focus on reusing household items in creative ways. Thank...
Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's is tomorrow!28 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
They're handing out free ice cream cones at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops tomorrow. It should be a national holiday.
Pants drawstring gives toddler something to handle while nursing27 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Melissa found a way to keep her toddler's hands busy while nursing: My nursing toddler has always been a very "handsy" nurser - pulling my hair, yanking my shirt completely off, whatever. And I never really understood the idea of...
Amazon Friday sale 4/25/08: Fitness ball, swim diapers, Victorinox25 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
Parenthacker-friendly picks in today's packed Amazon Friday sale : More Huggies Little Swimmers disposable swim diapers (size Small, 16-24 lbs, two 12-count packages) for $14.99 (25% off). Lots of Parenthackers have talked about how versatile a fitness ball can be...
Apply antibiotic ointment while the kid's asleep24 Apr 08 | Comments: 6
When you can't win the game, change the rules. (In a good way.) From Jeff: Our 4 year old son was diagnosed with impetigo (also known as infantago, among other things). His doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for him, which...
Ketchup bottle as hair washer24 Apr 08 | Comments: 5
Here's how Michelle of CoolMomsCare reuses empty squeeze bottles: I have always struggled in rinsing my little girl's hair in the bathtub without getting soap in her eyes or in her ears. Her hair is really long, so one or...
Quiet loud toys with caulk21 Apr 08 | Comments: 18
Dawn's a smart mom: I don't know about you, but I've found that most children's toys that 'talk' are way too loud - - too loud for me, and I'm sure for the tiny little ears that are even closer...
Easy supper: Chicken Taco Mac and Cheese20 Apr 08 | Comments: 5
Amyaus sent this in as a busy weekday recipe, but I think it's perfect for a lazy weekend supper, too. Good for the crockpot! It's that time of day when your child is clingy, crying, all around too much for...
Recycle Tyvek envelopes into sails for homemade boats19 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Beth's got a tip for floaty-boat building: It's spring here in New England and my 2.5yo is into making boats for all the muddy puddles. Usually our spur-of-the-moment boats are made out of something like packing peanuts or foam packing...
What do you do if your child hoards toys? Talk amongst yourselves.18 Apr 08 | Comments: 31
Longtime reader (and hack contributor) Amberlynn passed this scenario along from her sister. She wonders: WWPD? What would Parenthackers do? My dear little M, the most angelic baby I've ever had, did a Jekyl and Hyde thing as soon as...
"Toddler Cafe" Contest: What's your best toddler feeding tip?18 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
Just received this from Jennifer Carden, author of The Toddler Café: Fast, Healthy and Fun Ways to Feed Even the Pickiest Eater -- and since we ALL know who the best tipsters on the Web are, I thought you might...
Amazon Friday sale 4/18/08: Magnifying desk lamp, prep bowls, diapers18 Apr 08 | Comments: 2
Here are my picks in today's Amazon Friday sale : If you've got any small-parts builders or modelmakers in your home, this desk lamp/magnifier would make their projects go a whole lot easier. Great for budding scientists, too. It's $29.99...
Old page-a-day calendars make great doodling paper18 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Dana's found a great way to squeeze some utility out of page-a-day calendars: My toddler loves to color using any surface that she can find. I always need paper to hand to her while I'm trying to cook or clean...
Empty formula cans make perfect bedside table wastebaskets17 Apr 08 | Comments: 19
So smart! From Janette: Empty formula cans [Any cans, really. -- Ed.] are the perfect size to use as bedside/lazyboy side trash cans when you have a cold. In the morning, you can just throw it, and all your nasty...
KABOOST: Boost the chair instead of the kid16 Apr 08 | Comments: 16
Several Parenthackers have mentioned the KABOOST as a great hack, but for some reason I don't see a post about it in the archives! No longer! From Sharon: I recently purchased a KABOOST from Amazon. KABOOST is a amazing invention...
Childproofing a water cooler? Talk amongst yourselves.16 Apr 08 | Comments: 11
Kelly's got a good question: Recently a friend started looking for a way to childproof something that I hadn't thought of...a water cooler! There are many that have safety locks on the hot water tap, but that still leaves the...
No-cook "tortilla chips" are a great toddler snack16 Apr 08 | Comments: 2
Rachel's come up with a way to turn those singleton tortillas into a relatively mess-free, portable toddler snack: I'm always having trouble coming up with enticing snacks for my 16 mo. old that aren't sugary and/or a choking hazard. A...
A keepsake journal "triples" as travel entertainment, art preservation, and a grandparent gift15 Apr 08 | Comments: 9
Jennifer's smart, simple idea for capturing some of her daughter's spontaneous art: My four year-old loves to draw and color. I found one way to preserve her art -- by giving her a journal book full of blank pages. We...
Mix medicine into Jell-O Smoothie Snacks to get it down the hatch15 Apr 08 | Comments: 15
Steve's get-the-medicine-in-the-toddler hack: My 18 month-old had an ear infection and like most toddlers she was prescribed amoxicillin. She has had ear infections when she was younger and we would either give her the medication via syringe or add a...
A game for getting two kids safely buckled into the car15 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
Nikki's trick for keeping kids close at hand in the parking lot: My son's car seat was on the gas tank side of the car. My daughter was learning her shapes at the time. I'd turn getting into the car...
Word choices can take the sting out of a disagreement14 Apr 08 | Comments: 18
Sara is teaching tact and open-mindedness early: Can a word be a hack? If it can, I propose "mistaken." We've introduced this one to our 2 year old, and it just feels right. We use it to admit we are...
Teach your phone number by setting it to song13 Apr 08 | Comments: 22
Mark's wife applied "jingle" logic when teaching the kids their phone number -- it's easier to remember when set to a catchy tune: My wife came up with a clever song to teacher two of our little ones our phone...
Cut plastic "tube" popsicles in half for toddlers12 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Regina's found a way to make popsicles slightly less messy: My toddler likes to eat those popsicles that come in the long tubes that you put into the freezer and eat straight out of the plastic. However, the tubes are...
Protect your coffee table-turned-play surface with a crib sheet11 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Candie's great tip for coffee table play: I have found that the kids' favorite place to play is the family room coffee table. Usually I don’t like to allow this but I have found it is just the right height...
Turn temperature-taking with an ear thermometer into a game of telephone11 Apr 08 | Comments: 2
Shalini turned temp-taking into a game: After constantly struggling to take my squirmy 16-month old's temperature with the ear thermometer (he won't even hold still for the three seconds it takes to get a reading), I discovered that if I...
Amazon Friday Sale 4/11/08: Lots of good stuff!11 Apr 08 | Comments: 1
Lots of good stuff showed up in today's Amazon Friday sale ! (Sale prices last through today only.) Remember manual carpet sweepers? Little rotary brushes inside pick up debris just by getting pushed back and forth over the floor. I...
Stave off exam room anxiety by doodling on the paper-covered exam table10 Apr 08 | Comments: 18
Jaclyn's discovered a great way to keep her daughter entertained during those loooong exam room waits: I discovered a new hack during my daughter's 2 year-old check-up. We were waiting in the exam room and I was desperately trying to...
Use sheet holder "suspenders" as makeshift bib clips10 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
What a great idea! From Tiffany: Have you seen those cute "bib clips" that are out on the market now? Really cute, and handy to be able to use any towel (or even restaurant napkin) as a bib. But they're...
A slightly healthier "fruit snack"09 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
Rednexmama read the labels on so-called "fruit snacks" -- those little packages of gummy fruit candies -- and found quite a difference between brands: I actually found super-yummy fruit snacks that aren't just sugar under the guise of "made with...
Line the potty with paper to make it easier to clean08 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
Ah, yes. Cleaning out the potty chair. One of the greater joys of parenting, wouldn't you agree? Here's Preschool Mama's tip for speeding up the job: When I was training my son, I used to line the potty with a...
Drape an old sweatshirt over wooden chairs to protect them from booster scratches08 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Sarah's tip for protecting wooden chairs from strap-on booster seats: My son uses the Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat (recommended by parenthacks). We love the chair, but have two problems: (1) the back of the booster seat cuts into...
Major league baseball game too long for the kids? Try half of a minor league double-header05 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
John's hack heralds the return of Spring... A great hack for taking your kids to a minor league baseball game is to look for doubleheaders. Given the tight schedule, minor league clubs often double up on games when one is...
Amazon Friday Sale: Huggies Overnites04 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
For the potty training among you, Huggies Overnites (Step 4, 22-37 lbs., pack of 31 diapers) have showed up in today's Amazon Friday sale for $10.49 per package.
Baseball cap + a clip-on light = a better bedtime reading lamp03 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Brian's a smart guy and a good storyteller: Thing 1 wants the bedtime story. Thing 2 is kept awake by the light spilling into his room from Thing 1's light. Can't turn off the light in Thing 1's room, though....
Best of Parent Hacks: Garden fever03 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Sun! Warmth! Flowers! It's all happening around here, and I'm dancing a little jig in my back yard. Last year, the kids and I scattered a single packet of mixed seeds (encouragingly named "Children's Garden") and got a whole patch...
Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake: DVD for ballet-loving preschoolers02 Apr 08 | Comments: 93
The possession of double X chromosomes often correlates with two other genetic conditions: Princess Mania and Ballet Obsession. Such has always been the case with my daughter, despite my lack of girliness. She saw her first real live ballerina at...
Cylindrical concrete form tubes double as tall toy storage01 Apr 08 | Comments: 8
There is much inspiration to be found at the home improvement warehouse. Check out Jenn's elegant toy storage solution: With three small children, I frequently find myself tripping over toys that the kids don't have a place for. We have...
Clean sippy cup straws with pipe cleaners01 Apr 08 | Comments: 9
Pipe cleaners have showed up in so many craft projects in my life that I forget they actually can ...clean pipes. Hence Vicki's hack: My 2 year-old likes to use these drink bottles designed for babies that have a pop-up...
For the kid who can't keep his hands off the card-swipe machine at the grocery store: a calculator31 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Are those credit card swipe machines kid magnets or WHAT? Hillarie's onto something: My son is three and loves to "help" when I am trying to pay for the groceries. His help consists of pushing the debit/credit card machine and...
Nonslip shelf liner keeps the potty chair from sliding26 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
So smart. From Marta: I keep the potty chair from skidding around by cutting a little mat out of nonskid shelf liner! The mat goes under the potty and the kid stays upright. Related: Nonslip shelf liner keeps tablecloth from...
Reusing medicine dosing syringes from Target prescription bottles25 Mar 08 | Comments: 14
Parenthackers have sung the praises of the Target's prescription medicine bottles before -- and Kim takes it a step further: Liquid medicines from the Target pharmacy come with a dosing syringe and have a neat little stopper in the bottle....
Use a funnel to fill baby bottles (duh)25 Mar 08 | Comments: 2
Zulima's hack made me laugh -- I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but I use a funnel to fill up my baby's bottle. "What," you say! Yes, I am a butterfingers and when the milk gallon is...
Let new eaters sample foods from the salad bar24 Mar 08 | Comments: 6
Jill's found a great place to introduce her baby to new foods: the salad bar. If you have a picky eater, or even just a new eater, and you're sick of throwing away food because you don't know which fruits...
Egg shakers: a non-candy Easter basket alternative21 Mar 08 | Comments: 11
We discovered egg shakers in a Music Together class. Smooth, round plastic or wooden egg-shaped maracas -- these simple musical instruments are a sensory treat. So pleasant to hold and roll, fun to shake (the sound is loud enough to...
Dye raw eggs for Easter21 Mar 08 | Comments: 1
Here's how Daphne avoids the inevitable hard-boiled egg inundation that comes with Easter egg decoration: Every year for Easter, my five-year-old boys are wildly excited about decorating eggs. There is a week of anticipation, thirty minutes of setup, and five...
Oft-forgotten germ spreader: lip balm!21 Mar 08 | Comments: 8
Lisa's on the germ hunt: My family has been passing the cold bug around to one another. So I've been trying to catch all the ways that our germs are spreading (buying new toothbrushes, careful with sharing cups etc). I...
Too Tarts SmartChoice spray candy masks bitter medicine flavor20 Mar 08 | Comments: 4
Before you scoff at this hack (as I did when I heard the words "spray candy"), read on. Jessica's onto something: The last two times my five year-old son has been prescribed cough medicine the taste has been completely awful....
Keep a quick-grab snack bag packed19 Mar 08 | Comments: 6
From Debbie: We keep a reusable lunch-type bag in our cupboard stocked with various nonperishable snacks (one of each type per child) so that we can grab it at a moments' notice; say for that trip to the ER after...
Best of Parent Hacks: Easter fun18 Mar 08 | Comments: 2
The sugar headache from Valentine's still hasn't worn off, and now I'm being assaulted by the Easter candy displays. We're Jewish so we have other seasonal treats to look forward to (Mmmm. Matzoh.), but at least one Cadbury Creme Egg...
Create a mural outline by "tracing" a television character17 Mar 08 | Comments: 11
Wow. Look how John and Heather created a character-inspired mural: My wife wanted to create a Little Bear mural for our boys' bedroom when inspiration hit her. She paused the show on our big TV and used tracing paper to...
Free address labels are fun play stickers, too17 Mar 08 | Comments: 2
Why is it that anything self-adhesive is fun to play with? Lisa's found a good way to put junk mail to work: My two daughters (2 & 4) love stickers. They go through them faster than the grandparents can buy...
Little Steps Handrail mounts on (and hangs below) a standard stairway rail16 Mar 08 | Comments: 2
The folks from Little Steps found Parent Hacks due to Kathy's comment on last year's handrail hack (tie a length of soft rope to the rail which hangs down to toddler-grabbing height). Apparently, many of you have been clicking through...
Freeze pacifiers for teething relief13 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Amy's got a good pacifier hack: My 16 month-old son has always been attached to his pacifier, and has had a tough time cutting teeth. So, I run his pacifiers under the faucet, and squeeze the bulb portion under the...
Reduce mess by putting ketchup under the hot dog12 Mar 08 | Comments: 8
Marjorie! Hallelujah! Thank you for sending this in -- parents everywhere will be singing your praises this summer! My friend Adrienne had such an obvious hack, but i'd never thought of it. [Me neither. -- Ed.] She put ketchup on...
Wrap hard toys in a blanket if they must accompany your kid to bed12 Mar 08 | Comments: 4
Sandra's hack reminded me of my own kids' quirky hoarding habits when they were toddlers: My daughter Mia is 2yrs and insists on bringing toys to bed with her at night. She recently upgraded to a toddler bed and has...
"Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" goes nicely with baby- and toddler-friendly software11 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Ben is a smart, smart man. I recently read your post on Giggles Software for babies and toddlers. The idea seemed great, but I was reluctant to let my baby get his hands on my MacBook Pro. Nor did I...
Give your toddler his own "credit cards"11 Mar 08 | Comments: 17
Marie protected her credit cards by finding her son some of his own: Around when he turned one-year-old, our son started to love to play with our wallets, especially the credit/bank cards and licenses. We didn't want to risk it...
Simple toddler game teaches letters, numbers, turn-taking, fine motor skills and ... it's fun10 Mar 08 | Comments: 7
Maya's come up with a lovely, simple game with her daughter: I’ve been playing this game with my daughter for a while – she’s 27 months old now. You could play this a variety of ways and it teaches many...
Free bath toys await in your toybox, kitchen, and garage09 Mar 08 | Comments: 14
The ever-resourceful Heather has a great bath toy hack: New bath toys make bath time more fun for everyone, but how do you get them without spending a dime? Look around your house and you'll be surprised by all the...
Pamper yourself while bathing the kids07 Mar 08 | Comments: 11
Heather has found that bathtime for the kids offers a multi-tasking opportunity for mom: Turn "bath time" into "pamper time" by using the opportunity to soak your feet while your kids are in the tub! I've got a ledge on...
Bubble play motivates kids to clean up06 Mar 08 | Comments: 6
From Jane: Okay, maybe this is just barely a hack, but I have a 2.5 yo and a 4 yo, and getting them to pick up their toys is always a struggle. However, I have discovered a good way to...
Instant oatmeal makes a portable, filling in-flight meal (with gummy bears for the descent)06 Mar 08 | Comments: 11
Lewellen solved the problem of kid food on the airplane like this: Is this even a hack? It worked well for us and I was pleased with myself for thinking of it... On recent cross-country flights, I had to provide...
Puffy paints make socks non-slip06 Mar 08 | Comments: 6
Marie in Alaska deals with cold tootsies much of the year. She's found an economical way to make her son's socks slip-free: When my toddler started walking, the kitchen floor became a slipping danger. We live in Alaska and it...
Rubbermaid tote as infant bath05 Mar 08 | Comments: 15
From Gretchen: Instead of the laundry basket in the tub hack, we used a Rubbermaid tote in the big tub when my daughter outgrew the kitchen sink. Used less water, and now it's under-crib storage. A great alternative to the...
Nonverbal "cues" and routines help adopted children settle into home life05 Mar 08 | Comments: 6
Deborah demonstrates how consistency can be comforting when words aren't an option (yet): When my husband and I brought our 3- and 4-year-olds home from Moscow, we had only rudimentary Russian and a very early trust relationship with the kids....
Attune Wellness bars: Chocolate + probiotics = mmmm04 Mar 08 | Comments: 8
In what may be the most delicious PR pitch ever, I recently received a box full of Attune Wellness bars and an accompanying email that suggested them as a good on-the-go snack hack. In my experience, energy bars (or protein...
Wristbands keep sleeves out of the way for craft time04 Mar 08 | Comments: 2
Tracy has a clever method for keeping sleeves clean: We use old wristbands (although I'm sure some of your readers could get creative with other items) to hold sleeves up during craft time at home. This could be used during...
Fitted sheets make the best forts03 Mar 08 | Comments: 12
Alexandra's husband stumbled onto a good fort-building trick: My husband discovered a great hack when he grabbed a sheet to use for building forts for our two small children. The first sheet he grabbed was a king-sized fitted sheet, so...
Britax sale at Amazon ends today02 Mar 08 | Comments: 0
Amazon's Britax sale ends today -- up to 20% off "rarely discounted" car seats and strollers.
Babycape: Easier and more versatile than a jacket29 Feb 08 | Comments: 101
Most of us are still in for plenty more cool weather. But now that Spring is around the corner the on-and-off nature of kid jacket-wearing is already full swing. Too hot! Too cold! Take it off to buckle into the...
Underbed box under the clip-on highchair catches dropped food29 Feb 08 | Comments: 9
Debbie's hack is sure to make us all slap our foreheads and wonder why we never came up with this ourselves: Our one year-old daughter eats in a clip-on chair attached to our kitchen island. We put a large plastic...
CD rack as board book shelf28 Feb 08 | Comments: 0
M's storage solution: A CD shelving unit is the perfect depth for board books. In a regular bookshelf, board books can get pushed back too far, are hard to see when mixed with regular books, are often too small for...
Baby washcloths as "green" mealtime napkins27 Feb 08 | Comments: 14
Susan's come up with yet another use for baby washcloths (they are surprisingly versatile): One of my New Year’s resolutions is to reduce our household waste, including paper products. We’ve started using our old baby washcloths as napkins for the...
Lower the highchair so your toddler can play the electronic keyboard27 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Raven's going to have a two year-old maestro in the family: My 16 month-old loves to play around on our electronic keyboard . With all of the different instrument and style options available, who doesn't? Up until now, I've always...
Parent Hacks: The Zen Habits Collection26 Feb 08 | Comments: 0
As part of our guest post swap, Leo Babauta asked me to choose twenty of my favorite tips and write them up as a post for Zen Habits. "Favorite" is impossible to capture because there's more wisdom and good will...
Rain pants work for cool-weather beach visits26 Feb 08 | Comments: 1
Debbie's got a great tip for off-season beach visits (a wonderful time to go): We sometimes head to the beach when it's too cold for swimsuit (or when we're headed off somewhere else after). I pull the kids' rain pants...
When one twin gets medicine, the other gets apple juice26 Feb 08 | Comments: 8
Kristin's got the opposite "problem" many parents have -- her kids want to take medicine! When one of my 2-year-old twin boys are prescribed medicine, it's inevitable that the non-sick boy will pitch a fit for medicine too. So...I have...
Pencil cup as toothbrush holder25 Feb 08 | Comments: 5
The Hengsts have a solution for those fat, character toothbrush handles that don't fit into the holes of a regular countertop toothbrush holder: We have the problem in our house that kids' toothbrushes don't fit in the traditional toothbrush holders...
Britax sale at Amazon - one week only24 Feb 08 | Comments: 6
Just got a note from the Amazon folks: turns out a week-long Britax sale is underway -- up to 20% off "rarely discounted" car seats and strollers. I've been a Britax user of convertible car seats for years and love...
Toothbrush holder keeps used spoons contained in the diaper bag23 Feb 08 | Comments: 8
Megan's answer to sticky spoons: This may be obvious but I have found it the most brilliant of any of my parenting ideas! Whenever we feed the little man when we are out and about, I find myself grossed out...
Pets as social skills "teachers"22 Feb 08 | Comments: 6
I've got so much to say about this hack (sent in anonymously), but I'll save my comments till after you've read it: I'm a single (widowed) mom to one daughter. We live in a very rural area so my daughter's...
Diapers fit nicely in the plastic wipes box22 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Lisa V.'s diapers-to-go hack: If you have a child in diapers, use the refillable wipes packs (the smaller travel size in the soft package). Put the package of wipes into the original box (the regular full-size box). Then add a...
Play "Marco Polo" in public to keep track of out-of-sight kids21 Feb 08 | Comments: 12
Remember "Marco Polo," that classic call-and-respond swimming pool game? Mari and her husband use it as a way to keep tabs on their kids in public places: Okay, I know it sounds crazy. We always call out 'Marco' when we're...
White noise between radio stations helps kids nap in the car21 Feb 08 | Comments: 7
Here's how Mama D gracefully handled an awkward snatch of time that was too big for an activity, but too small for a nap: This hack had a 50% success rate on its maiden voyage, enough to make me think...
Park your car near the grocery shopping cart return area20 Feb 08 | Comments: 15
Lydia thought to write in with a hack that I only discovered after my second child was almost too big to ride in the cart: When going shopping various places with the little one, I always park next to a...
Ice cube tray as kids' paint palette20 Feb 08 | Comments: 6
Red Lotus Mama's smart art hack: My daughter got an art easel for Christmas, so I bought her some Crayola washable paint to go along with it. She is only 2.5 years old, so holding a palette isn't about to...
Old socks as arm dribble-catchers19 Feb 08 | Comments: 5
Beth has solved a problem I was NEVER able to solve myself! I had just resigned myself to sticky elbows for years! I have a 2.5yo who loves fruit -- watery, dribbly, messy fruit. It used to roll down his...
Do you improvise upon lullabies? Talk amongst yourselves.19 Feb 08 | Comments: 45
Tim's "hack" is really more of a sweet example of how our kids can inspire us: Part of my toddler's bedtime routine is a song. Somewhere along the line, I forgot the actual lyrics to "Hush, Little Baby". This led...
Computer desk as changing table18 Feb 08 | Comments: 7
Jill found an ideal reuse for an old computer desk: When our son was born, we basically put a crib into the room that had been our office. With company coming, we were forced to convert the baby's room into...
Turn a laundry detergent bottle into a toddler toolbox17 Feb 08 | Comments: 7
Looking for a long weekend craft project? How about Steve's brilliant laundry detergent bottle toolbox? A couple of nights ago I was watching my son, Evan, playing with an empty detergent container. I was impressed with how easy it was...
For a toddler, catching a ball is easier with a hat17 Feb 08 | Comments: 4
Kelly sent this hack in while watching her father play catch with her daughter: It can be frustrating to play catch with the little ones. They really want to but it's hard for them to catch a ball. Next time...
Clear Valentine clutter by making a collage15 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Jill from Atlanta is really on the ball if this project is already done by February 15! It wasn't until my house became littered with little Valentines that I remembered this trick. I had my kids gather up all the...
A simple rule for getting toddlers to hold hands crossing the street15 Feb 08 | Comments: 25
Kim's idea is so simple and smart: Here's my tip for keeping toddlers from walking out onto the street or parking lot unsupervised. It relies on the good old "neutral third party" idea. Just tell them it's a universal rule...
Makeshift Ziploc bag "snow boots" for babies15 Feb 08 | Comments: 12
No snow boots for your baby? Here's Ashley's inventive solution: We live in the Midwest and usually get a few pretty good snows each winter. We got a few inches of snow the other night, so I decided to take...
Valentine hack: Heart-shaped pasta bracelets12 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Marita came up with a fun and simple project any toddler would love: My girls and I are making bracelets using some heart-shaped pasta we found at ALDI. Was $2 for a big bag of heart shaped pasta and I've...
Valentine hack: Pancakes with powdered sugar hearts10 Feb 08 | Comments: 2
Pamela's sweet Valentine's breakfast is a treat for the whole family: I like to do something special for my family first thing in the morning, so I make pancakes and then put a heart template on top of one before...
Valentine hack: Collective valentine-making, and a great photo card idea06 Feb 08 | Comments: 1
Adrienne of Baby Toolkit fame shares two great Valentine hacks: 1) My playgroup mommas are having a toddler-free pitch-in decorating party where we'll make Valentine's cards and decorate sweet treats for our families. [Always more fun with company, and with...
Valentine hack: Torn paper valentines05 Feb 08 | Comments: 0
Another simple card-making activity for toddlers on up. From Rose: Yesterday my daughter and I made Valentine's Day cards. We folded a piece of red construction paper into quarters and then cut it in half to make two cards. To...
Valentine hack: Heart-shaped cookie cutters are useful for more than cookies05 Feb 08 | Comments: 1
Zed's shares the versatility of the humble cookie cutter: Nothing is a better investment for Valentine's Day than heart-shaped cookie cutters in various sizes. Aside from the many craft possibilities, they instantly make boring food seem like Fancy Valentine's Food,...
Bake a personal mini-cake for your kid's first birthday03 Feb 08 | Comments: 14
Kristen's first birthday tip: Don't give the kid the whole cake to destroy, or even an entire one of his very own. Bake a mini-cake in a foil pot pie tin. Less mess and less wasted food. I think this...
Oatmeal bath soothes diaper rash02 Feb 08 | Comments: 8
A reminder that we don't always need fancy solutions..simple ones work just fine. From Sara: My mother-in-law bought some fancy Aveeno bath soak for Miss J once, and it was basically oatmeal. Now, when she has irritated skin (diaper rash...
Valentine hack: Free-form painted hearts02 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Kittenpie demonstrates that a) toddlers aren't too young to make Valentines, and b) "handmade" doesn't have to equal "fussy." Last year, I cut up large-ish squares of thick paper, put them two at a time on the easel, and gave...
Super Bowl Sunday: No crowds at the usual weekend family hot spots01 Feb 08 | Comments: 7
I trot this Super Bowl hack out every year, but it's such a good one! From Jay: I've noticed that a lot of people are into this whole "football" thing, which means they'll be at home (or a bar) watching...
Put a rubber band around push toy wheels to slow them down01 Feb 08 | Comments: 5
Regina's got a smart hack for early walkers: When kids are first learning to walk, their push toys generally go too fast. To slow my daughter down I put rubber bands around the front two wheels and now she is...
"The Mr. Men Show" to premiere on Cartoon Network 2/4/0831 Jan 08 | Comments: 9
Got a promo email today from the folks at Cartoon Network. But before I tell you what it's about, let me give you a little backstory. I basically can't stand the Cartoon Network. Now I like Looney Toons and Scooby...
Fashion a fake dolly poo to encourage toddler's potty use31 Jan 08 | Comments: 12
Simon's story is so, so...well, so PARENT HACKS, it makes me smile every time I read it. My Father-in-Law (FIL) came up with a stonking [American translation: fantastic or brilliant. -- Ed.] solution to encourage use of the potty in...
Bring toddlers' toy shopping carts on actual shopping excursions30 Jan 08 | Comments: 9
Ah, Target with a toddler. Those were the days. If only I had had Jennifer's ingenuity back when my kids were that age: In order to keep my 2 1/2 yr old and 4 yr old occupied at the grocery...
Wash and store velcro bibs in a mesh lingerie bag30 Jan 08 | Comments: 10
Who among us hasn't had an article of clothing destroyed in the wash by the velcro from a bib? Misha has an answer: We use bibs for our baby that have velcro closures and darn it if that velcro doesn't...
Hack request: Send us your Valentine's ideas!29 Jan 08 | Comments: 15
I usually start thinking about Valentine's Day on about February 10...too late to have a relaxed class valentine-making session with my kids. But this year is different! We've got our red construction paper and fancy scissors all ready to go....
What to do when the tab on the disposable diaper breaks29 Jan 08 | Comments: 20
The real poop! From Tiffany: If the tab breaks as you're trying to put a disposable diaper on your squirmy little one (and isn't it always when you're in a hurry?), there's still hope! Go ahead and fasten the tab...
Crib toy bag works well on the highchair, too29 Jan 08 | Comments: 4
Emily's got a great idea for keeping the baby toys from getting underfoot in the kitchen: Sometimes while doing the dishes, I try to keep my daughter occupied in her high chair with various toys and books. I found myself...
Organize kids' clothes into color-coordinated "capsules" so they can pick their own outfits28 Jan 08 | Comments: 16
Sara needs to dress my daughter, or at least help me pick out her clothes. I love clothes, and Miss J has so many clothes it's a tad embarrassing. Even worse, the daily question of what to wear was turning...
Toddler-friendly tofu26 Jan 08 | Comments: 25
People forget that tofu is fantastic toddler food. It's white, bland, nutritious, and can "hide" in all sorts of other foods. Here's Kristen's suggestion: Trying to get your baby to eat tofu? Stick it in miso soup! You can buy...
Sylvania power failure lights do double duty as night light and flashlight25 Jan 08 | Comments: 1
Regina has a great solution to "how do you find the flashlight when the power goes out and it's dark?": Recently, you were asking what we do when the power goes out. For Christmas, my folks gave us a package...
Keep bedside Pedialyte chilled in an ice bucket25 Jan 08 | Comments: 3
From the very resourceful Jess: Our 10 month-old daughter has a nasty bug ... a cough, accompanied by some flu symptoms. So we're giving her Pedialyte. But when she wakes up coughing in the middle of the night, she wants...
Use a kitchen timer to simplify potty training24 Jan 08 | Comments: 11
Prompted by recent kitchen timer conversation, Andy shared this wonderful story about using a timer to help with potty training: In the process of potty-training our son, we had gotten stuck for a while at the point where he agreed...
Toddler mittens: Sew the lining to the mitten at the tip of the thumb24 Jan 08 | Comments: 1
Pam (from New Brunswick, Canada, where it's currently negative zero to the tenth degrees) came up with another toddler mitten hack: I broke out the needle and thread today to fix a problem that's been bugging me for weeks. My...
Storing girls' hair accessories? Talk amongst yourselves.23 Jan 08 | Comments: 33
Suzy wonders: Have you heard any good hacks for how to store girls' hairbands? They are a tangled mess in the drawers. You can't put up 20 hooks on the walls, right? What can be done? This seems like a...
Swim shirt doubles as a winter underlayer23 Jan 08 | Comments: 2
So smart! From Katherine: Don't forget you can get another season's use out of that sun-proof swimming shirt from last summer! Remembering the outdoors-persons' motto "cotton kills," I wanted to put a layer of non-absorbent material against my boy's skin...
A trick for getting mittens onto toddlers23 Jan 08 | Comments: 6
David, a former preschool teacher, has had plenty of practice getting mittens onto little hands: Hold the mitten up with it open toward your child so they can put their hand in. Then you tell them to touch your nose...
Kitchen timer: Multi-purpose tool of the gods!22 Jan 08 | Comments: 21
We've talked before about how helpful a timer can be in all sorts of parenting situations. I really liked the way Katy (author of Adventures in Parenting) expanded on the examples, so I thought it would be a great time...
Teaching kids to declutter their own toys22 Jan 08 | Comments: 5
Sara's hack would work as well now, while most of us are in declutter mode anyway: I want Miss J (2 1/2) to learn how to "declutter" things herself, so before Christmas I told her that since she'd be getting...
Stash travel distractions into the car's seat-back pockets19 Jan 08 | Comments: 7
Here's how Christine's keeping her daughter entertained in the car: My 18 month-old daughter is often quite tired and grumpy by the time I pick her up to take her home from child care. I often need to have something...
How to tell if a clementine section is seedless or not18 Jan 08 | Comments: 6
Thank you for this, Elana -- I've mangled hundreds of clementine sections looking for seeds! With mandarins and clementines (the perfect sized citrus fruit for kids) in season, we're going through tons of them in our house. I want our...
Best of Parent Hacks: Keeping warm during the winter17 Jan 08 | Comments: 2
The weather outside is still frightful, so I thought it might be nice to dig through the archives for some of our best cold weather tips: Polar fleece makes crib extra cozy Shoe organizer in the coat closet keeps gloves...
Pack preschoolers' lunches in waxed paper bags17 Jan 08 | Comments: 16
While we're on the topic of school lunches...a little story for you. My daughter goes to the most wonderful preschool in the world. It's the same preschool my son went to, Waldorf-inspired, totally magical, very simple. The teachers there often...
Make a week's worth of school lunches17 Jan 08 | Comments: 8
Cynthia's batch lunch prep makes so much sense, it's a wonder we aren't all doing this. We have to bring lunch to daycare 3 days a week. I used to struggle with getting lunches ready in the morning, and with...
Kid already buckled into the stroller or car seat? Put the jacket on backwards!16 Jan 08 | Comments: 6
Haven't most of us done this at one time or another? Thank you, Heather, for thinking to write down this hack and send it in! My 18 month-old hates wearing a coat in his stroller. About the only time he...
Pack a bathrobe for the pediatrician's office16 Jan 08 | Comments: 9
As we're on a bit of a roll with the sick kid-related hacks, I thought Emily's would fit right in: Now that it is cold and flu season, I find myself taking my daughter to the doctor more often. Many...
How to make baby nose-wiping...fun?16 Jan 08 | Comments: 17
Scott's come up with a way to make the inevitable snotty nose-wipe tolerable for his baby: My ten-month-old daughter has a terrible cold right now, and she has developed a fear of the nose wipe. Anytime she sees me coming...
Swaptree: Declutter and get free stuff at the same time15 Jan 08 | Comments: 3
Decluttering and reducing consumption are really two sides of the same coin. So it's nice when you come upon a service that helps you do both. Swaptree is a website that allows you to swap your books, CDs, DVDs, and...
Discount calendars make good art supplies15 Jan 08 | Comments: 0
Joe and Cathy say: grab up those clearance-priced calendars! My wife discovered a great parenting hack: By this time of January, novelty desk calendars are deeply discounted - like, $2 each. Some of these are a great source of inexpensive...
Prolong handwashing with a song15 Jan 08 | Comments: 7
Several Parenthackers have mentioned this particular trick in the comments of other posts, but I felt it bore repeating given cold-and-yuck season. From Heather: This is the time of year where germs take up residence at our home and refuse...
Bedtime sore throat soother: Warm milk and honey14 Jan 08 | Comments: 17
Coughs abound this time of year. Here's Melissa's soothing remedy: Here's a great way to soothe a sore throat without having to resort to medicines.... Microwave a mug of milk as you would to make hot chocolate. But instead of...
Toy combination: Mr. Potato Head + Play-Doh14 Jan 08 | Comments: 3
Squishy Mr. Potato Head! Both he and playdough are more fun together. From veteran Parenthacker Jill (from Atlanta): My son and I had a rainy, indoor day yesterday (yeah! rain in Atlanta!) and I pulled out the often-neglected playdoh. We...
Clementine crates as toy storage13 Jan 08 | Comments: 6
Reuse those clementine crates! From Mason: In the winter, my family of three goes through a crate of clementines about every two weeks. Instead of just throwing away the little crates, I have started using them for storing my two-year...
Slide button-up shirts over toddlers' heads 't-shirt style'11 Jan 08 | Comments: 4
Had I read Mindy's hack seven years ago, I wouldn't have taken my son to most fancy occasions wearing long-sleeved t-shirts (hey, i ironed them, ok?): My 22 month-old son owns quite a few casual collared shirts with 4 buttons...
Easy diluted juice: freeze juice into cubes first11 Jan 08 | Comments: 7
Emily's "juice cube" tip is a slight variation on a hack we published about a year ago, but I thought it was worth revisiting as Emily adds the dilution twist: My daughter is only 9 months-old and doesn't drink that...
Store toys in the TV cabinet to protect the DVDs10 Jan 08 | Comments: 14
New year, new hopes for organization! Here's Marita's idea for keeping the TV room a little neater: Our television is in a big cabinet which also has storage on the side and below for DVDs. My girls (2yo and 4yo)...
Shot glass as baby food dish09 Jan 08 | Comments: 10
Get some use out of that old drinking paraphernalia! From Rebecca: My husband hit on a great way to serve food to our 6 month-old - we use shot glasses. [Pictured here: a measuring shot glass, so you can also...
Color-code diapers to distinguish different sizes at a glance09 Jan 08 | Comments: 6
Christel's simple and practical hack for parents who have more than one kid in diapers: When my son was a newborn it was easy to tell his diapers apart from his toddler sister's -- his were so very tiny, it...
Make detangling more fun (less unfun?) by turning it into a game08 Jan 08 | Comments: 14
Ah, the joys of detangling long hair. Here's how Amy manages the tresses: Both my girls have long hair. One has long, blonde locks with an ultra-sensitive head, and the other has very curly, red hair and just doesn't like...
Indoor snow play03 Jan 08 | Comments: 4
It rarely snows in Portland, so it's always a delightful event. Not neccesarily so in a reliably snowy winter climate. Here's Melissa's hack for when she doesn't feel like going through the whole dressing/undressing drama: It's been snowy here in...
Shred wrapping paper to use as gift bag filler25 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
From the Hengsts: We shred our used wrapping paper to use as filler in gift bags. Our kids love to help us get the paper ready to put into the shredder. If the pieces are too big, they get to...
Spread out the gift-opening to keep Christmas morning manageable24 Dec 07 | Comments: 8
Another holiday hack from Mel, who seems to have the realities of holiday logistics well thought-out: I know everyone has their own treasured and time-honoured family traditions, but....since we have one young child and an older child who is easily...
Color code gift tags to streamline distribution from under the tree24 Dec 07 | Comments: 5
Mel's gift tag hack (for those of you madly wrapping gifts tonight): I had the kids make tags for Christmas gifts out of plain cardstock. We store all the gifts under the tree until they're ready to leave the house...
Salvage wrapping paper scraps and rolls for a fun toddler diversion22 Dec 07 | Comments: 5
Sarra's hack reminded me how fun it can be discovering what a toddler finds interesting: After I was done with my Christmas wrapping, I had a bunch of empty wrapping paper rolls and bits of paper too small to use....
Creepy, irritating children's books21 Dec 07 | Comments: 47
It's amazing how well-aligned our opinions are about creepy or just plain irritating children's books. And here I thought Hayley and I were the only ones who had a problem with Big Nutbrown Hare! Based on your comments, Parenthackers' least...
Endless love: "I Love You More" picture book20 Dec 07 | Comments: 145
My cousin Hayley and I share many sensibilities that don't exactly fit with popular opinion. Here's one: neither of us like the popular children's book Guess How Much I Love You. Remember the one with the Nutbrown Hares comparing how...
Baby shoes as Christmas ornaments19 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
From Kelly: My aunt gave me this decorating idea: when you have baby shoes your child grew out of that you'd like to keep because they're oh-so-cute and sentimental but don't know where to put them, hang them on the...
Christmas tree light switch delights kids AND protects the tree19 Dec 07 | Comments: 7
Christmas tree light switches are yet another way toddlers can get safely (well, relatively safely) involved with the tree. Your mileage may vary given the activity level of your toddler, but both Christy and Carly have had good luck: From...
Tie-dye tissue wrapping paper18 Dec 07 | Comments: 9
As promised, Melissa's instructions for creating gorgeous tie-dye wrapping paper out of plain white tissue. This looks easy enough for young toddlers, and the results are stunning. Thank you, Melissa!
Toddler-enable your Christmas tree with a few unbreakable ornaments18 Dec 07 | Comments: 10
Another great toddler + Christmas tree hack! So simple, but it works for Carly of durhamregionbaby.com: This is a little late, but I just discovered it the past week or so since our tree has been up. Our daughter is...
How to make flu shots less scary for kids18 Dec 07 | Comments: 12
Shots are scary. No two ways about it. But the anticipation of shots makes it so much worse. Here are some smart ideas for making shots as innocuous as possible (and, yes, I tried to come up with a pun...
Huggies deals at Amazon17 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
If you're a Huggies devotee, Amazon's got some good deals going, including an even bigger discount if you sign up for Subscribe & Save . Through December 31, 2007, they're offering 20% off the everyday price (it's usually 15%, plus...
Let pajamas double as long underwear to save time in the morning17 Dec 07 | Comments: 6
I happened onto a time-saving hack this morning because we had to get out the door early for an appointment. It's cooooold, cold enough that I send my daughter to preschool in a layer of long underwear beneath her clothes....
Childproof your Christmas tree with jingle bells15 Dec 07 | Comments: 4
David childproofed his Christmas tree by installing a festive "toddler alarm system:" My wife and I have a very inquisitive (and smart) 2 year old boy and a large artificial Christmas tree. We were concerned that he might be tempted...
My Mommy's Tote winner!14 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
Sounds like we all have treats in our bags of tricks! Thank you to all who shared their favorite purse-based kid distractors. In addition to the very popular keys and cell phone here are some more ideas: Food, including Dum...
How to administer eyedrops and take the temperature of a squirmy toddler? Talk amongst yourselves.14 Dec 07 | Comments: 23
We've been felled by illness around here, too, so I feel Jenna's pain: We've just had two rounds of ear infections and pinkeye with our 14 month old. Any suggestions for how to take a squirmy toddler's temperature or how...
My Mommy's Tote: Way more than a pop-up board book13 Dec 07 | Comments: 247
I generally forego reviewing baby and kid products that have little more going for them than cute. Given that we're all about the time-saving, problem-solving hack and not the awwww factor most products I get pitched don't make it past...
How to save your kids' letters to Santa13 Dec 07 | Comments: 2
Those letters to Santa are priceless mementos of holidays gone by. Here's how Jill (creator of countless parent hacks) manages to hang onto them: If you'd like to keep the letter your child writes to Santa, but like mine he...
Fitness First exercise ball winner!12 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
What fantastic ideas you shared for staying active indoors when the weather outside is frightful. Highlights: Dance parties Hullabaloo (we like playing this, too) Tag Pillow fights Obstacle courses and mazes Let your kids follow along with your exercise routine...
How to keep sleeves from getting bunched up in jackets? Talk amongst yourselves.12 Dec 07 | Comments: 14
Holly wonders: I wish I had a hack for this, and I'm sure somebody does --- how do you keep your baby's sleeves on a long-sleeved shirt from getting all bunched up and frumpy when you put the coat on??...
Super Woobee winner!12 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
Congratulations, Jessie! You win the Super Woobee! I guess the rest of us are going to have to return a few gifts so we can buy our own. Because who can resist a product that can do all these things?...
How to buy gifts for young kids when they're always with you at the store12 Dec 07 | Comments: 19
Another holiday hack from Kelly: I just heard about the other day (from a nurse while I had a few day stay in the hospital). The mom told me that she found it hard to buy for her young daughter...
Professor Pocket: Discount and free shipping for Parenthackers11 Dec 07 | Comments: 0
I just got a note from Nathalie Simmons Jorge, Co-founder of Professor Pocket. Apparently, hedra's review caused such a sensation that the CD sold out at Amazon! So (Nathalie says): I'd like to extend a $2 off/CD and free shipping...
Craft paper makes cheap, recyclable wrapping paper11 Dec 07 | Comments: 21
I've finally accepted that I just can't deal with wrapping paper. As much as I love beautifully-wrapped gifts, I can't abide buying paper that's meant simply to be ripped up and thrown away. I've used newspaper in the past, but...
The most luscious baby blanket you get to keep for yourself10 Dec 07 | Comments: 170
Parents deserve blankies, too. We're out there, fending for our kids, trying to keep all the plates spinning and the tummies full, getting pulled in opposite directions, all on little sleep and less recognition. Sometimes we just need to curl...
"Cookie of the Month Club" makes a great holiday gift10 Dec 07 | Comments: 7
I love Heather's idea for simplifying holiday gift-giving: This year, we are trying to find the perfect gift to give those who have everything. It can't be too expensive, too hard to travel with, and we want it to somehow...
Britax Parkway booster seat 30% off at today's Amazon Friday sale07 Dec 07 | Comments: 4
I'm a big fan of Britax car seats -- they're well-made and comfortable, but they're also expensive. Nice to see the Britax Parkway booster seat pop up in today's Amazon Friday Sale . It's 30% off ($69.99) today only.
Extend the life of outgrown dresses as tops and tunics07 Dec 07 | Comments: 3
B said this about her thrifty, wardrobe-extending hack: "I thought this one was fairly obvious but I've gotten stopped by other mothers in stores recently so maybe I'm onto something..." I re-use my daughter's dresses as shirts or tunics or...
BabyLegs: More than just baby leg warmers06 Dec 07 | Comments: 146
Baby leg warmers? Who would think that such a simple, obvious idea would be such a godsend? Nicole Donnelly, apparently. Not only did she come up with the idea to keep her daughters' legs warm during "nakedy time," she has...
Laundry room pegboard holds missing socks05 Dec 07 | Comments: 2
Gisela's answer to the Riddle of the Missing Sock: I can't take credit for this hack; I read it somewhere, but I've forgotten where. I used to keep a drawer full of socks missing their partners after doing the laundry--I...
Simple holiday traditions04 Dec 07 | Comments: 0
What a pleasure it has been to read about your favorite simple holiday traditions! The music, the cards, the food, the tree, the Menorah, the candles, the Advent calendar, the dreidels, the neighborhood light displays...it was enough vicarious warmth to...
Toddler Spanish practice with Professor Pocket04 Dec 07 | Comments: 55
hedra here, helping out with a review. [Hooray! The more hedra in the world the better. -- Ed.] Because I tend to write huge long content, I'm putting the 'bottom line' stuff up front - you can read on for...
Baby wipe box doubles as kitchen cabinet organizer04 Dec 07 | Comments: 7
Danielle found a simple way to corral all the small parts that come with baby bottles (and, later, sippy cups): For a couple of months after our son was born I had a messy cup cabinet. There were so many...
Play BAM! to get the kids to clean up quick (and have fun doing it)04 Dec 07 | Comments: 6
Bill's got the trick for getting kids to clean up their toys: This hack is aimed mainly at small children, since their toys are designed to take a beating. Also, not for the noise-intolerant. :-) To get my kids (3...
Return address stamps or labels double as ID30 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Michael's idea is one to keep in mind during the holiday shopping season: My child loves stickers and stamps. Any time he sees a hand stamp or sticker he wants one. So what better way to teach your kid how...
Plastic soap holder as crayon container30 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Tracy's smart hack works at home or on the road: We use a plastic bar soap holder (the kind that has a top and a bottom that you could use for travel or in your shower). Take crayons out of...
Featured find: Flip Video Camcorder29 Nov 07 | Comments: 7
I love watching videos of my kids, but I hate dragging out the video camera. I find that inserting a camera between myself and the experience often turns me off to taking videos in the first place -- which is...
Simple, beautiful Hanukkah crafts29 Nov 07 | Comments: 2
Hanukkah's next week! But you've still got time for some lovely crafts (if crafts are your thing). Check out Amber's Hanukkah crafts at the always-fabulous Kids Craft Weekly. Toblerone chocolate box as a template for a Star of David stamp?...
Use del.icio.us to track gift ideas29 Nov 07 | Comments: 4
If you're not already using a social bookmarking service such as del.icio.us, consider signing up for an account. So easy to use, so useful. I used del.icio.us to build my daily link roundups, and as a way to for us...
Free art supplies: Paint color chips from the home improvement store28 Nov 07 | Comments: 16
[Note: When I first posted this hack, I mistakenly thought Andi was talking about actual paint samples, but several readers pointed out she was referring to paint chips, the colorful cards that display different paint colors. Sorry about the mixup....
Motion-sensing switch takes over when kids forget to turn off the lights28 Nov 07 | Comments: 13
We are huge fans of the motion-sensing light switch in our house! From Ellen: My kids seem unable to remember to turn off the bathroom light. We use compact fluorescent bulbs, so the power usage is trivial, but it's a...
Amazon formula rebate ends this Friday27 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Just a reminder that Amazon's deal on Similac, Isomil and PediaSure products ends Friday, 11/30. The deal: spend $119 on selected products, enter the code SIMNOV07 at checkout, and get an instant $20 rebate (and free shipping).
Still got Halloween candy lying around? Give it to the "goblins."27 Nov 07 | Comments: 14
In case you're still trying to clear out the odd Almond Joy leftover from Halloween, Judi's tip may help, even at this late date: Believe it or not, I am *still* hearing parents complain about what to do with all...
How to remove a band-aid painlessly27 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Rachael shares her solution to an age-old problem: Here’s my hack for removing those pesky band-aids that kids love to put on and HATE to have taken off: If you dip a cotton ball or q-tip in oil (olive or...
Travel tip: Clean the DVDs!27 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Ginger reminds us: If you're traveling with a toddler and a portable DVD player, remember to clean the DVD's before you get on the plane! Believe me, that will be 2 minutes well spent. Didn't I hear somewhere (here?) that...
Bar cookies save trips to the oven (and burned cookies)26 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Jill from Atlanta shares the practical realities of baking cookies with little kids in the house -- worth keeping in mind given that holiday cookie-baking season is right around the corner: I love baking cookies with my kids. But the...
A phone call from a favorite character encourages bathtime cooperation25 Nov 07 | Comments: 2
From Rachel: My daughter hated, HATED to have her hair washed. For about two years washing her hair was one of my least favorite chores. She'd kick and scream so loudly that I would honestly worry the neighbors would call...
Uses for old mustard and ketchup bottles24 Nov 07 | Comments: 2
Ashley rescued the mustard and ketchup bottles from the recycling bin: If you wash them really well, empty mustard and ketchup bottles make great bathtub squirt toys. If you use powdered tempera paint, they also make great dispensers! Related: Don't...
Boost your kid's vocabulary by "narrating" drive time21 Nov 07 | Comments: 10
Keep talking to those babies! From Sara: One of those inadvertent hacks is how we've taught Miss J. her over/under/though prepositions. Our daily and weekly drives include a number of highway flyovers that just fascinated her, so we started saying...
How to get a jacket on a squirmy toddler21 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Damselfly's got a few tricks for getting a jacket onto her toddler: I'm not sure if this is a bona-fide hack, but it works for us. My 14-month-old boy fights me every time he has to get dressed or undressed....
Use wallet-sized photos as gift tags20 Nov 07 | Comments: 6
Gwen's hack is one of those gems that solves a problem AND reduces clutter at the same time. Think about this for holiday gifts as well: When my children bring a party gift to a child who can't read yet,...
Cheap indoor entertainment on dark rainy evenings? Talk amongst yourselves.19 Nov 07 | Comments: 29
Stephanie asks: I have a friend at work who has an 12-year old step-son and a 2-year old son at home. Now that it's dark after work, she can't take the boys to the park to play. The family lives...
Handkerchiefs are gentler on runny noses than tissue18 Nov 07 | Comments: 16
Grandpa was right! From Kelly: Here's one hack that my sister-in-law taught me. It may be obvious, but I thought it was helpful. When your child gets a cold, instead of using tissue after tissue all day (leaving piles of...
How to remove those annoying paper wristbands17 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
I HATE those wristbands! Thank you for this, Duane! You know when you go to the water park and they give you those paper bracelets that are specially made to tear to pieces if you try remove them, so you...
TV "white noise" helps baby sleep in a hotel room15 Nov 07 | Comments: 8
Another great trick for getting your baby to sleep in a hotel room! From Megan: During a recent hotel stay with my 14-month-old son (who tends to be a very light sleeper), whenever I put him down for a nap...
Use movie soundtracks to steer kids away from the tube14 Nov 07 | Comments: 22
Kirsten's brilliant hack brings to mind all the great movie soundtracks I used to listen to as a kid. Star Wars is the big one, but pretty much any John Williams score would do. Remember Close Encounters of the Third...
Use a hula hoop to simplify ball-catching games with young kids14 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Kirsten's ball-playing hack would work well indoors, too. (I'm thinking rainy day basement play.) You know when you're playing catch, soccer, baseball or such games with preschoolers or toddlers? They always move really close to you in between turns, and...
Strategies for "darkening" the portacrib at bedtime in a hotel13 Nov 07 | Comments: 7
Andrea has her husband to thank for this hack: We spent a weekend out of town with our 5 month-old. At 2 or 3 months we could have stuck her in the Pack-n-Play and she would have slept. Now she's...
Easy "fruity nutty" oatmeal13 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Megan's hack may inspire our breakfast this week... My well-meaning partner bought a huge bag of dried fruit and nut mix thinking that it would provide a handy snack for our 14-month-old son. Of course our son hated it and...
Deceptively Delicious: A Parenthacker sneaks and tells12 Nov 07 | Comments: 25
We recently talked about all the controversy surrounding the release of Deceptively Delicious, the cookbook that advocates hiding vegetables in kid-friendly food. When I asked for Parenthackers' first-hand tales, JT wrote this gem of a sum-up: My guess is, if...
Paint swimsuits on naked dress-up dolls12 Nov 07 | Comments: 7
Making old toys feel new again -- always a great hack. From Sarah: Some plastic dress-up dolls I bought for my daughter only came with one outfit, and there are no others available through the manufacturer. I get tired of...
"Build your own" dinners simplify meals for folks with allergies12 Nov 07 | Comments: 4
Shauna's DIY dinner hack: My son and I have several food allergies while my husband and daughter do not, so to avoid making three different dinners every night, we've implemented one or two "Create Your Own" nights. We use pita...
Plastic bag "balloons" keep kids distracted while grocery shopping11 Nov 07 | Comments: 9
I love it when I "spy" parent hacks in public places. From Sara: I was at the grocery store the other day, and saw a kid in the checkout line playing with a "balloon" made of a plastic produce bag...
Note monthly class payments in your calendar09 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Here's how Kirsten remembers those pesky class fees: Now that my daughter participates in a couple of activities (dance and piano) that require monthly payments, I've started writing the amount due on the calendar for the first class of the...
Parent Hacks Store Featured Find: Woobee water resistant blanket/cover/soft thingie08 Nov 07 | Comments: 400
In lieu of confetti, fireworks and a grand parade down Main Street, I decided the best way to celebrate the grand opening of the Parent Hacks Store is to shower you, my dear Parenthackers, with gifts! Today's Featured Find is...
How to muffle those squeaky toddler shoes08 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
The idea seemed good at the time ("Squeaky shoes! How cute!"). *Sigh*. From Sara: Those fun yet annoying shoes that are supposed to encourage new walkers by squeaking each time they take a step are easy to come by at...
Create a visual inventory of kid clothing purchases07 Nov 07 | Comments: 4
I was stunned by the Linda's smarts on this one: I like to shop online for great bargains on clothes for my kids at the end of each season and put things away for next year. However, in the thrill...
Attach mittens to coat sleeves05 Nov 07 | Comments: 12
Ted's hack could be adapted to store-bought mittens as well: With Wisconsin's winter approaching, my wife is knitting mittens for our 3-month-old. The old plan she's working from has a long string that ties the mittens together and runs through...
Amazon deal: $20 instant rebate on formula04 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Amazon's got a new deal on for Similac, Isomil and PediaSure products : spend $119 on selected products, enter the code SIMNOV07 at checkout, and get an instant $20 rebate (and free shipping). As someone who used to buy PediaSure...
Quick, homey warmed apple slices03 Nov 07 | Comments: 9
My son and I had an hour at the bookstore the other day, and I found myself thumbing through the recipes in Kids Cook 1-2-3. It's a lovely cookbook full of three-ingredient recipes kids can make themselves...pretty inspiring for time-challenged...
Red popsicles help reduce the trauma and drama of a bloody lip02 Nov 07 | Comments: 6
Dave has discovered a perfectly good reason to keep the freezer consistently stocked with Haagen-Dazs bars: Hersch did a face plant and bit his inner lip pretty badly. There was a lot of blood and he wasn't up for letting...
Use Twitter as a baby-album-of-sorts02 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Kim uses Twitter as a repository for baby memories: If you don't already know, Twitter is kind of a blogging/chat/texting hybrid. Its main appeal is convenience: you can update it via the Web or IM software or through cute little...
Expand the dress-up wardrobe with discounted Halloween costumes01 Nov 07 | Comments: 0
Rather than raid the dress-up bin for Halloween, Wendy raids the after-Halloween sales for the dress-up bin! Great setup for future costume swaps, too. My 3 year-old daughter loves playing dress-up, but we only have a couple of items. I've...
Halloween hack: Baby lotion takes the face paint off31 Oct 07 | Comments: 2
Kelly's hack came in just under the wire! I bought my daughter some of the face paint "markers" they have at the grocery store this time of year. She had fun getting her face painted and then painting my face...
Soothe a fever with a damp washcloth kept bedside31 Oct 07 | Comments: 4
kittenpie's bring-down-the-fever hack: To help comfort a kid with a fever, one of the great things is of course to run a damp cloth over their forehead, neck, and limbs. My child's bedroom is not near the bathroom, though, so...
Make your own polar fleece diaper liner30 Oct 07 | Comments: 4
From Katharine: If you use cloth diapers, try putting a strip of polar fleece (any old cut-up sweater will do - it doesn't even need to be hemmed) between the diaper and your baby's bottom. It's especially good for sensitive...
Creative ways to present unfamiliar foods29 Oct 07 | Comments: 6
Dren of DrenNotes offers her take on the creative presentation of food: I've been reading a lot of buzz on the interweb about Deceptively Delicious, mostly dealing with the ethics of "sneaking" in fruits and veggies into a child's diet....
Is hiding vegetables in food deceptive?29 Oct 07 | Comments: 41
I've been mildly amused by the debate swirling around Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, which is built on the premise of getting vegetables into kids by hiding them in kid-friendly foods. The book is a popular hit (no doubt...
Glow stick fun (potential Halloween hack?)28 Oct 07 | Comments: 12
Rachel didn't specifically connect this hack to Halloween, but I am...could be a fun giveaway! To all you parents who haven't tried these yet (or lately). Glow sticks are fun!! I know it seems like a big "duh," but every...
Take a vacation toy inventory27 Oct 07 | Comments: 5
Smart travel planning, from Duane: Going on vacation? If the kids are planning to bring more than 1-2 toys, then set up a space for them to "pack" their toys just like you pack your clothes and supplies (even if...
Amazon Friday Sale for 10/26: Huggies Overnites, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers26 Oct 07 | Comments: 1
On sale at Amazon, today only: Huggies Overnites size 5: $19.99 for two 27-count packs (that's about .37 per diaper if you keep track of these things). Keep in mind that Huggies are on their way to a price increase...
Halloween hack: Get creative with the notion of door-to-door trick-or-treating26 Oct 07 | Comments: 4
Lyric shares the Halloween-cum-block party that happens in her neighborhood: I'm in love with Halloween in my neighborhood! (This coming from a parent who dreads anything that takes advanced prep.) We've made it into an event the kids love and...
DIY art display23 Oct 07 | Comments: 13
WG's hack will help you make sense of the incoming avalanche of art: My kitchen had a fridge that was covered in paper and some blank walls that were crying out for decoration. I like the idea of framing kid...
Halloween hack: Give toys instead of candy23 Oct 07 | Comments: 27
One way to avoid leftover candy is to avoid candy altogether. Says Judi: No candy at our house. Stickers or doodads from Oriental Trading instead! Anything leftover goes into the arts and crafts bin for use throughout the year. Bonnie...
How to have an allergy-free Halloween22 Oct 07 | Comments: 9
Several of you commented on the difficulty of managing the Halloween treats when your kid has a peanut allergy (or any other type of food sensitivity for that matter). Here's another place to look for good ideas: How to have...
Halloween hack (redux): Save leftover candy for holiday gingerbread houses21 Oct 07 | Comments: 4
Maribel reminded me of a past hack we used with great success a couple years ago: use leftover Halloween candy for holiday gingerbread houses. Tags: Halloween
Forget struggling with baby socks in winter: let them wear tights21 Oct 07 | Comments: 12
Fiona's hack makes me remember back to my kids' baby days...was always trying to cover up that bit of exposed leg between the bottoms of their pants and the tops of their socks. This would have done the trick... I...
Cool Mom Picks: Safer Toy Guide19 Oct 07 | Comments: 5
Holiday toy shopping may be a little trickier this year, what with all the recalls. If you're not sure where to begin, start with the Cool Mom Picks Safer Toy Guide. Believe me, these fabulous women know their stuff. From...
Halloween hack: Let your toddler glue a face on the pumpkin19 Oct 07 | Comments: 8
Rebecca's got another jack-o'-lantern idea for the not-old-enough-to-carve set: For my daughter who is almost two, we’re not carving pumpkins this year. I’m going to cut pieces of black construction paper out in various eye, nose and mouth shapes and...
Chew on This: Teething Bling18 Oct 07 | Comments: 5
When my son was an infant, I often found myself wearing a big multicolored teething toy on my wrist like a giant clown bangle. It was practical, but it definitely lacked style- especially on the days I forgot to take...
Favorite Halloween books? Talk amongst yourselves.17 Oct 07 | Comments: 24
Halloween's fun/scary balance can be a fine one for toddlers and preschoolers heading out for their first night of trick-or-treating. Some good Halloween-themed picture books can put a fun spin on the scary ideas of witches, vampires and ghosts. Have...
Glue down collars on baby outfits to keep them clean15 Oct 07 | Comments: 11
Hilary, you are brilliant. Anything that reduces the amount of laundry is GOOD. All those baby outfits with collars people gave us were cute, but not helpful at feeding time. The collars inevitably flip up and cover baby's mouth, or...
Calm coughing without medication15 Oct 07 | Comments: 18
With infant cold medicine being pulled from the shelves, and the safety (and usefulness) of regular cough medicine in question, it's good to have a few cough-suppressant hacks up one's sleeve. Here are Christiane's: Our oldest son (of three children)...
Amazon Friday sale: Skip*Hop Stroller Saddle Bag12 Oct 07 | Comments: 13
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