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Archive: June 2007
30 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Eric found another way for his son to play with a magnetic stroller toy: My six-month-old son has a plush rattle that has a magnetic clasp wrapped in fabric that can easily attach to his car seat or stroller. The...
Cut broom handles down for toddlers30 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
From uber-Parenthackers Sara and Ben: I was looking for a child size broom for J, but not having a lot of luck finding one that was affordable. Ben went to the grocery store, bought a cheap wisk broom with a...
Leave the glass out of a fancy wall frame for easy kid art swapping29 Jun 07 | Comments: 2
So simple, so smart. From Shannon of Babies Online: We hung a glassless fancy picture frame on the wall and swap artwork as it's brought home from school. It's a big hit with both kids and adults!
links for 2007-06-2929 Jun 07 | Comments: 2
FDA News Release: Veggie Booty Recall Possible salmonella! Thanks for passing this on, Tim. (tags: parenthacks kids snacks feeding recalls health)
Kid reluctant to eat? Add sprinkles!29 Jun 07 | Comments: 26
Jenny Blackburn, author of the Adventures in Parenting blog at the Seattle P-I website, shares her picky kid secret: We've finally happened onto the perfect solution to get our 3 year old son to eat... I keep a bottle of...
Where to stick the alphabet magnets with a stainless steel refrigerator?28 Jun 07 | Comments: 17
Whitney's tip: For those who have magnetic letters or other magnets, but have a stainless steel fridge to which no magnets stick, use the magnets on your washer/dryer, trash can, or oven, depending on if these things have exposed sides...
Uses for clothespins28 Jun 07 | Comments: 13
Paul says: Use spring clothespins to close up any bag you like (chips, cereal, etc.) Right! Why do we spend money on big plastic "chip clips" than never stay closed? We've used wooden clothespins for some cute craft projects. Amber...
Crayola Bath Tub Tints teach color theory27 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
Sara's back with bath hacks! Inspired by this really neat set of photos I ran across on flickr, I got my daughter some of the Crayola Bath Tub Tints -- just drop a pellet into your bath and you get...
Order a mug of hot water for impromptu silverware "cleaning"27 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Rookie Mom Heather's hack reminds me of toddler restaurant visits gone by: Last weekend, when I got tired of Holden (21 months) dropping his silverware on the floor of the restaurant, I asked the waitress to bring me a mug...
Buy different sock brands for siblings26 Jun 07 | Comments: 19
Traci laments the curse of matching socks: This seems silly (do most hacks start with those three words?) [Indeed, many do! Also: "I'm sure everyone already does this, but..." -- Ed.] but when you have more than one kid --...
Brush toddlers' teeth with two toothbrushes26 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Here's how Becky avoids toothbrushing battles: I use two toothbrushes. One I give to my son so he can brush his teeth while I take the other one and brush his teeth at the same time. I used to let...
Avoid locking your keys in the car25 Jun 07 | Comments: 40
Here's Julia's method for keeping her car keys accessible: I'm terrified I'm going to lock my son and my keys in the car together. So, when I'm putting my son in the car or getting him out, I put my...
Swim goggles keeps bathwater out of kids' eyes25 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
Cathy's son came up with this hack on his own! Here's an hack that has saved me a lot of time and headaches, and it was actually my 4 year old son's idea. I used to dread giving him a...
Use Lunapads postpartum to save money and resources24 Jun 07 | Comments: 14
Lunapads are washable, reusable menstrual products -- the feminine hygiene equivalent of cloth diapers. I've had several friends tell me how wonderful they are in terms of comfort and value, and then Kelly wrote in saying how useful they'd be...
links for 2007-06-2323 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
CFO: Chief Family Officer: What to do With Those Digital Photo Proofs: Make Personalized Cards Great idea! Those contact sheets are good for locket pictures, too. (tags: parenthacks crafts photography) Plotting the baby learning curve Interesting research on infant learning....
Keep important medical and legal documents handy on a keychain USB drive23 Jun 07 | Comments: 13
Kate came up with a smart "paperwork" hack: Because we both take medications, and both have living wills and powers of attorney on each other, we decided to get keychain USB drives to keep them handy. We're going to be...
Use a dimmer switch in the nursery22 Jun 07 | Comments: 13
Rachel shares her love of light dimmers (a love I share): In our attempt to decorate the nursery on a budget, I kept fussing over the lamp decision. No lamp under $40 looked appropriate for a nursery. Finally, my father-in-law...
links for 2007-06-2222 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
The Buck Stops Here: Pill Bottle Tip Smart way to keep track of how much medication SHOULD be in the bottle. Thanks, Stuart. (tags: parenthacks safety health kids) Teach your kids to clean their own rooms » Curbly Great how-to...
Reuse infant incline pillow when your toddler has a stuffy nose22 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
Kris found a good use for her baby's old crib wedge: When my son was an infant he had a major spitup problem, so we bought one of those foam incline pillows for the crib (they go under the sheet),...
Styrofoam castle hack in this month's Parents Magazine21 Jun 07 | Comments: 4
My styrofoam castle hack appears in a blurb in this month's Parents magazine! (That's a package insert, toothpicks, and some Post-It notes, by the way.)
Underwear packaging makes ideal flash card storage21 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
So many products come with promising outer packaging -- I'm thinking sheets and larger bed linens. Sharon came up with a good use for the thick plastic packaging in which underwear is sold: I love to find new uses for...
Removing a reward instead of threatening a consequence21 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Interesting twist on behavior modification, from Jill: I read this on another blog in the comments, so it isn't my idea BUT I plan to use it quite soon! Removing the carrot instead of threatening the stick... To successfully grocery...
Make your own spill-proof cup20 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
Jessica's quick thinking has probably saved her serious car and clothing cleanup: If you buy those single serving plastic drink bottles (Odwalla, for example), use a pocket knife to punch a hole in the lid, insert a straw, and you...
links for 2007-06-2020 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
Unclutterer: Establishing household routines This post makes keeping house sound so easy. Via Lifehack.org. (tags: organization housekeeping) MacGyver Tip: Dry out your soaked gadgets in rice - Lifehacker Yes! There's also a Parent Hack for drying out a drooled-on cell...
Parent Hacks admin: Summer Internet vacation20 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
Summer has officially begun around here. No more school, sunshine, a relaxed schedule. It's as if my family is exhaling for the first time in weeks. What a relief. All is (mostly) well on my computer post-email crash as well....
Play "Memory" with loose change while waiting in line20 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
From Tom ("devoted Parenthacker and Jersey exile"): While standing in line at the grocery store the other day I stumbled upon a Parent Hack I'm rather proud of. My daughter is almost 4 and very fond of playing Memory, so...
Maxi pad as disposable diaper "extender"19 Jun 07 | Comments: 20
Brilliant. From Shauna: My son wakes up soaked - jammies, sheets and all - EVERY morning. We've tried all sorts of ideas, but nothing worked. Finally, I lined his diaper with a heavy absorbency maxi-pad - and it works! I...
links for 2007-06-1919 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
Quick Gadget Hack - Make Your Cutting Board Non-Slip I've also used a damp kitchen towel for this purpose. (tags: parenthacks cooking)
Confirm they heard you with "Got it" instead of "OK"19 Jun 07 | Comments: 22
Mary pointed out a semantic trap I've fallen into several times, even with older kids: When explaining things to my two year-old, I often find myself wanting to say, "OK?" at the end, so he can respond. That way I...
Happy Father's Day!18 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
We were so busy yesterday putting Dad on a pedestal around here that I forgot to wish all of you Parenthacker Dads a happy Father's Day! I hope you got the doting and exultation you deserve -- I certainly appreciate...
Replacing car headphones less expensively18 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Craig's money-saving tip: This maybe a premature tip (and I don't know if this is a 'hack' per se), but you know those wireless headphones used in minivans and SUVs and such? Well, when our boys broke a couple of...
Fun toilet cleaning? Use baking soda and vinegar!18 Jun 07 | Comments: 7
Proving once again that a Parenthacker can make anything interesting, Beth came up with some toilet-cleaning entertainment: Not quite a super trendy hack, but something I thought was pretty fun even for adults! I was researching some more earth friendly...
"Show" your child poetry with the Flower Child DVD16 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Flower Child: Beautiful Poetry for Beautiful Children (by Wonderworld Film & Video) immediately piqued our interest. In college, Jim and I got involved in a number of poetry projects focusing on contemporary poetry and teaching great poetry to young children....
Ideas for reusing mini yogurt cups16 Jun 07 | Comments: 4
Reuse ideas from Amy (who must be a very busy mom with 1, 2, and 3 year-old kids!): I used to buy countless small paper cups to hold my kids' dry snacks since the portion size was perfect for their...
Parent Hacks admin: Adrienne and Jim Jones15 Jun 07 | Comments: 0
Part of what has made Parent Hacks such an incredible experience for me has been the people I've met. Somehow, the fact that we've only "met" online and via email doesn't really matter. I feel as if I've found some...
Use an airline baggage tag as temporary ID15 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Here's how Gillian helps make sure her son is findable in crowded airports: We've traveled a lot with our 4 and a half year old son and I'm always worried that he will get lost in the airport. On one...
Baby jumper helps facilitate toddler foot soaks14 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Should your toddler ever require a pedicure or a medicinal treatment (as Maia's son did), do this: My son had an injury to his toe when he was 18 months old, and we had to soak his foot in epsom...
Divided formula dispenser as snack cup14 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
Jen found a great way to reuse her formula dispenser: Formula dispensers are great for single servings of formula on the go, but once my daughter started drinking regular milk, I found myself with another baby gadget that didn't really...
Use email as a searchable appointment database13 Jun 07 | Comments: 9
Wifezilla has found a handy use for her email's "search" function: We just moved to the Pittsburgh area and had to set up new doctors, pediatricians, dentists, etc. I found that I was always losing the piece of paper that...
"Dangerous" winner13 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
I LOVED reading all your suggestions for essential "dangerous" activities for boys and girls. What an incredible, ambitious list...thanks to all who participated. I also want to congratulate Shauna, winner of a copy of The Dangerous Book for Boys. Shauna...
Modified paper cups as paint holders13 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Liz's tip: I’ve found a great hack to keep our painting projects easy to clean up and manageable. When we get out the liquid paints for my 2 year old, I pour each color into a Dixie cup. The cups...
Let toddlers pour beverages over the open dishwasher door12 Jun 07 | Comments: 10
Rebecca prefaced this hack with, "I swear someone must have already sent this in, but just in case..." Yet again, a tip one parent figures everyone else knows and I find myself slapping my forehead at her brilliance! When kidlets...
Teaching rules to stuffed animals makes them easier (and more fun) for kids12 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Ah, the power of creative thinking. Here's how Alma made "the rules" fun for her toddler: While transitioning my 2 year old from her beloved crib to a "big girl" bed. I wanted to emphasize that she needed to stay...
Clothespin keeps onesie flaps from dropping into the toilet11 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Barbara shares a "very tiny" hack that solves a very big problem: Here is a very tiny hack: My two-year old son wants to sit on the toilet a lot and he still wears those onesies that button between the...
Essential "dangerous" skills for boys and girls? Talk amongst yourselves.11 Jun 07 | Comments: 69
Silly me! I've got a perfectly lovely copy of The Dangerous Book For Boys sitting here waiting to fly into the hands of one lucky Parenthacker! My intention was to give it away in conjunction with my interview with author...
Video iPod turns "pumping time" into "Mom time"11 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Video iPod to the rescue once again! This time, Ruth uses it to make her sessions with the breast pump more enjoyable: The most helpful thing I found was to make pumping "my" time, so I didn't resent the huge...
Hotel card keys as play credit cards10 Jun 07 | Comments: 23
Liz's funny money hack: My 2 year-old’s only concept of how things are paid for is those magical plastic cards mama keeps in her wallet. Needless to say, I don’t want her running off with my AmEx (not now, not...
Video iPod helps pass stressful waiting room visits10 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Fish recounts: Our 3 year-old son had a nasty ear infection. Usually he does OK at the doctor's but by the time the urgent care opened in the morning he was in a state. I remembered the Video iPod on...
Plan for common mishaps with the help of your pediatrician09 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Beth's wise suggestion for making the most of your child's routine visits to the doctor: I have learned to end our well-baby doctor's visits with this question to the pediatrician: "What do you get the most calls about from parents...
How to tie knots in balloons without sacrificing your fingers09 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
Here's how Lisa kept her digits intact during a marathon balloon-knotting session: Our children’s elementary school puts on a BBQ Fun Day that uses 1,000 air balloons. I volunteered to blow up 200 balloons. I knew that my fingers would...
Interview with "Dangerous Boys" author Conn Iggulden06 Jun 07 | Comments: 7
By all accounts, The Dangerous Book for Boys is a hit. The book has been all over the Internet (there's even a YouTube "preview"!), and made a showing on The Colbert Report. I reviewed the book last month, and, from...
links for 2007-06-0606 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Thingamababy: Review: 4-Scene Sequencing Cards Fascinating reminder about just how much learning goes on in a kid's brain. No wonder they need naps. (tags: parenthacks toys learning) Baby Toolkit: Hello, Cielo: A New Lightweight Stroller Design Takes to the Mean...
Preventing kids from locking interior doors05 Jun 07 | Comments: 17
Melanie's simple-but-powerful hack for keeping doors unlocked: When we moved into our new apartment, the doors all had those knobs that lock from the inside by pushing in and turning. Envisioning our children locking themselves into the bathroom or their...
links for 2007-06-0505 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Hand Sanitizer Alcohol Poisoning Kim-Anh pointed out this hazard of with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (thank you, Kim-Anh). Alternative: CleanWell. (tags: kids health safety) How To Get Rid of Moths With Natural Repellents » TipNut.com Mothballs= round,...
A better way to lift your baby's legs during diaper changes05 Jun 07 | Comments: 11
Darryl documented how he lifts his baby in preparation for a diaper change: I’ve got a technique (hack) that I don’t recall described anywhere else, and I’ve not seen anyone else do (not that I’ve made a survey or anything),...
Store small bath toys in suction cup shower baskets04 Jun 07 | Comments: 7
Michelle's solution for bath toy storage: I don't know if I'm the only one, but I find those mesh bags for bath toy storage really annoying. Yes, they let the toys drip dry, but the toys get all caught up...
Pacifier clip as bagel holder04 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
A Parent Hack if I ever saw one, from Melanie: Our daughter never took to the idea of pacifiers but we tried all sorts of them and also acquired an assortment of clips for them. She is 9 months old...
links for 2007-06-0404 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
A toddler's guide to online videos Matt searches for kid-friendly YouTube entertainment so we don't have to! (tags: parenthacks kids toddler youtube)
Tricks for taking a shower with your baby04 Jun 07 | Comments: 25
From Kendra: I used to have trouble getting a decent length shower. I had to get up EARLY before dad left for work or wait until my son was napping to do it. Now I get nice, long showers every...
links for 2007-06-0101 Jun 07 | Comments: 4
Thingamababy: HOW TO: Make a Sippy Cup Name Tag Man, those Kleen Kanteen stainless steel sippy cups are hittin' the blogosphere in a big way. (tags: kids parenthacks)
