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» Useful Party Activity Rather Than Silly Games: Instead of silly, mindless games at a baby shower, have a fun activity that will provide the mom-to-be with a supply of very useful items: onesies (the full-body T-shirts that have the snap crotch). Buy several packages of onesies in different sizes, enough for one or two shirts per guest, and a variety of tubes of fabric paint. Have a table set up with the shirts and paints and ask each guest to “paint” a shirt for the new baby. Once all the shirts are done, let the new mom-to-be pick her favorite and give a bottle of champagne or other prize to the selected artist. It may take some coaxing to get your guests started, but I guarantee everyone will have a blast once they get started. (Note: slip cardboard inside each shirt to prevent paint from bleeding through to reverse side. Also, fabric paint takes 24 hours to set, so plan a space to leave the shirts once they are done and do not let them touch or fold or the masterpieces will be ruined!). Cherie, San Mateo, CA. 

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» Creative & Fun Way to Block off Dangerous Areas: Who ever said blocking off an area that you do not want a toddler getting into has to be done with an ugly gate or imposing piece of plywood? Our son just cannot resist our TV or our upright entertainment center. The center has those all-glass push doors, which are so easy to get into. Every kind of “child proofing” lock failed within 30 seconds of him trying to get in. I was ready to give up, when I went to a play date at a friend’s house. They had a large unused fireplace with a marble hearth, which they blocked off by creating a fort with two large cardboard boxes set on their sides. They angled the boxes like a “V” with the openings of the boxes forming the point of the “V.” The backs of the boxes reached both edges of the fireplace, so it was completely blocked off. The children had so much fun crawling in and out of the boxes, they did not even think to look at what was behind the boxes and what kind of trouble they could get into! I one-upped my friend’s idea by cutting a window in one box and a door in the other. Thirty minutes with some inexpensive acrylic paint and I had a painted fort that completely blocked the TV and entertainment center, yet was easy to move for adult access. My two year old still loves it and it continues to serve its purpose well. NOTE: this idea is obviously not appropriate for dangerous areas such as stairways or fireplaces that are used. Cherie, San Mateo, CA.

» Protecting A Hand Injury: Trying to kept a child with a hand injury dry and clean is nearly impossible. What worked for me was using adult painting gloves (vinyl or latex - they look like surgeon's gloves). Cover his hands (might as well do both) and then he can still paint or play with water or take a bath. You'll have to tape them closed and then tape them to his arms, or maybe use a loose rubber band, or a piece of sewing elastic sewn in a circle.
Kimberly, San Jose, CA

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» Blow Drying Prevents Diaper Rash: I know it sounds crazy, but I blow dried both of my sons’ tushies after every diaper change. It all but eliminated diaper rash. I used a small travel dryer set on the lowest setting. I kept it far from their skin so it got warm but not hot, and was enough to completely dry his skin. I then always used a thin layer of Balmex® (I personally disliked Desitin®). The times I skipped for any length of time (vacations or times at Grandmas), they invariably got a nasty rash. A couple of days back on the dryer routine, and the rash was gone. Pam, San Marcus, CA.

» Changing in the Tub Avoids Toddler Runaways: As soon as my son started moving, diaper changes laying down on the change table became almost impossible. Instead of forcing him down while he screamed or chasing him naked through the house my mom suggested I stand him in the bath tub. He holds on to the front side facing me and while he can walk a few steps in each direction, he can't get far--and doesn't complain. This is particularly helpful for poopy diapers when it's convenient to add a little soap and water to get thoroughly clean. He's 17 months now and knows the routine--he brings the diaper into the bathroom and stands next to the tub waiting to be lifted in! Kristen, San Mateo, CA

» Coffee Air Pump Saves Midnight Changes: During baby’s first month, many pediatricians recommend only using warm water and a soft cloth to wipe baby’s bottom (even the gentlest commercial wipes can be irritating to new baby’s skin). But waiting for the warm water to come through the tap at 4 am was not my idea of fun. My sister-in-law suggested getting an air-pump coffee urn (the tall kind used in hotels where you press on the top to pump the coffee), filling it with hot water and keeping it on the changing table. It’s OK if the water is hot (but obviously not scalding), as once the water is dispensed onto a cloth it quickly cools to a comfortable warm temp. I found the urn only needed to be filled every couple of days, so it was always there and convenient. Cherie, San Mateo, CA.

» Shop Towels Instead of Washcloths: A nursery’s best friend: Shop Towels! Shop Towels are paper towels that are thicker yet softer than regular paper towels. They are blue-colored, and generally sold in large hardware and home improvement stores and wholesale warehouse clubs. I used them the first month as soft disposable towels to wipe baby (using cloth washcloths was completely impractical given the number of diapers baby went through!). Later, they were liners for the changing table, so I was not changing the table cover twice a day. You will have enough laundry to do! Cherie, San Mateo, CA.

» Singing to Stop the Wiggling: Here's a tip for you: My son used to wiggle and squirm during diaper changes. His older sister never did this so I chalked it up to him just being his own little self. Until I realized that my routine with his sister included a song! Once I started singing to my son during the diaper changes, the wiggles and squiggles disappeared. Now he loves to sing with me and diaper changes usually only take two songs. My favorites are the teaching songs "One little, two little, three little Indians" and the "ABC" song, but we also sing silly ones like "Rain, Rain go away" and "There were 10 in the Bed".

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» Easy, Nutritious Homemade Baby Food: I almost never bought baby food in a jar for my baby. I would go to the farmer's market, pick out the most beautiful, organically grown produce (carrots, squashes of various kinds, sweet potatoes, etc. - whatever is seasonal). I'd come home, steam the veggies, puree them in my food processor, and pour the fine puree into ice cube trays. When the veggie cubes were frozen solid, I would store each vegetable in separate Ziploc baggies in the freezer. Whenever I needed a portion, I would just defrost a cube or two or three, and presto - a complete meal for the baby. My "baby" is now a very healthy eight year old who has a sophisticated palate, and is not a picky eater. It was a lot less expensive than the baby food jars, and I have always felt really good knowing that the food I gave her as a baby was fresh and nutritious, full of its natural vitamins, minus salt and preservatives. Vilia, Pasadena, CA

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» Routine Helps Sleep: The big challenge is getting kids to go to bed without kicking up a huge fuss. My solution should be started when the baby is younger so that as they get into their terrible twos, they are firmly entrenched in a happy and fun routine.
  My approach is to make bedtime a fun event that the baby looks forward to, but be firm about bed when the actual bedtime is upon us. So, Mom and Dad alternate the ritual, which is: have story books in the rocking chair for 10-15 minutes with the lights on. Then have cuddle time and singing songs in the dark for 10-15 minutes before actual bedtime. Then it's bedtime and if they protest and cry...too bad! If you are firm and don't give in, they will soon learn that it's not worth it. They have had some fun and loving time with parent, are wound down from the days events, and (after the ritual is entrenched) will be totally expecting the actual bed part.
  Sometimes my daughter still kicks up a fuss when I say, time for bed! But as she gets into the routine and the stories, she soon forgets her protest.
  (Note: I advocate being consistent about bedtime, but I recommend that parents choose a time that is actually appropriate ... a time that ensures they get enough sleep but doesn't relegate them to a lonely room when they're nowhere near being ready to sleep. I know of one British couple that always put their boy to bed at 6 pm and let him cry and wail for hours before he would go to sleep. How unfair to the boy!) Tracy, Kansas City, KS

» Music to Sleep By: Find a soothing tape or CD preferably instrumental (gentle classical, lullaby’s, etc.) that you will be able to stand listening to a lot and put baby to sleep with the tape on very low each time she goes to sleep. For my son, a certain lullaby tape became our favorite and he never went to sleep without it. Soon he had almost an immediate reaction - he would hear the tape and close his eyes. In the middle of the night when he would stir and wake, all I had to do was go in, turn on the tape and he would go back to sleep. When he was older and napping and sleeping other places (in grandma’s, the car on a long vacation drive, at a baby-sitters), having the tape meant all the difference between him fighting sleep and gentling sleeping anywhere we put him. Cherie, San Mateo, CA.

» Sleep Problems? Routine, Routine, Routine: Very early on, when baby is only a few months old, begin to keep his bedtime ritual exactly the same (as much as possible). Whatever your routine is (putting his Cuddle Bug Blanket in the crook of his right arm, his teddy in the crook of his left, rocking and singing, turning on his tape, saying a prayer, reading three books, saying good night to the moon, using the same words to say goodnight, whatever) all reinforce and remind baby that this is sleep time. The regularity reassures and relaxes him. We also found keeping a very regular schedule and putting him down for naps and sleep at the same time helped a great deal. The times we have trouble getting our son to sleep are the times we deviate from our own routine. Those are the nights he fights sleeping and wakes multiple times a night. Cherie, San Mateo, CA.

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» Avoid Toddler Protests By Setting Expectations: I don't know about you, but my daughter has now started protesting things like bedtime and bath time. My latest technique for avoiding a huge scene is to set expectations appropriately and then follow through. For example, start talking up the bath half an hour before bath time, and be firm (but cheery) when she protests. Then, give her the 10-minute warning with the same cheery determination. Then, when bath time comes, don't give in. Do the bath, despite protests! She has changed completely since I've started this routine. She goes dutifully upstairs because she knows it is coming. Tracy, Kansas City, KS

» Problems Leaving a Toddler With a Sitter or Daycare? Turn Leaving into A Game: Leaving my child at daycare was always difficult but it became more so when she became a toddler: tears, yelling, tantrums, etc. My daycare provider suggested a great solution: put the child in control of your leaving--tell her you cannot leave without her helping you out the door. Stand at the threshold of the door and tell your toddler, “mommy cannot leave without you helping me out the door.” Make a dramatic show of being shoved if she touches you and give a cheery “thanks!” as you walk away. You can even have the child close the door if they are able--this gives them even more control! You have just subtly put the child in control of your leaving and suddenly a sad moment becomes a game where the child has the power of deciding when you leave. Works like a charm every time. Amy, Menlo Park, CA

» Restaurant/Waiting Room Bag: I like to keep a restaurant/waiting room' bag in the trunk of my car. I rotate the items once in a while but it contains toys, books or crafts that the boys don't get to play with at home. Right now there is a sticker story book, a few stamps, ink pad and paper, an eye spy book and some little cars and trucks. It is just enough to keep them busy when we go out to dinner or when we are stuck in a waiting room! It all fits in a small bag as well! Jan, Pacifica, CA

» Encouraging Dressing Self-reliance: When my daughter was about 2 1/2, I decided that she was ready to start taking a more active role in getting herself dressed in the morning. I bought several of the plastic storage drawers from the hardware store (similar ones are available at office supply stores, as well as stores such as Target). The ones I bought stack, and have translucent drawers that sit in frames. I cut out pictures from children's clothing catalogs of the different clothes, and glued them onto 3x5 cards, and then taped them onto each drawer -- one for underwear, one for pants, one for dresses, one for short sleeve shirts, one for jammies, etc. It also helps in putting away laundry. It's been a great self-esteem builder for her! She's now almost 4, and while she's certainly not perfect about getting dressed on her own, it's more an issue of interest, rather than having to search for the clothes. Amy, Menlo Park, CA

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» Beans, Beans the Magical Toys: Have an older toddler who is sick of her expensive store-bought toys? Buy a 10-pound bag of pinto beans and a large plastic storage bin (one that is more square and deep rather than flat and rectangular). Fill the bin with the beans as well as a couple of metal or plastic cups and a dozen or so “little” things: little cars, plastic rattles, little dolls, etc. Let your toddler loose! She will spend more time than you thought possible pouring beans from one cup to another and burying things in the beans. Play games: hide all the items and then ask your child to “find the green car.” She will squeal with delight searching for the item. And the beans are clean and much easier to clean up after than rice or sand. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: dried beans are choking hazards for children under 3 or older children who still put things in their mouths. Do not offer this toy if you have young children in the house! Only use with constant adult supervision. Cherie, San Mateo, CA

» Few Too Many Free Address Labels?: What to do with all those freebie address labels you get in the mail? Seems like a waste to throw them out, yet can't use them all up (and many are incorrect). I've found a perfect use for them -- my toddler! She loves sticking the labels onto sheets of paper. Voila! We have a colorful collage. Oh, and for paper, we just use junk mail and other 8-1/2 x 11 scrap paper. It's all kept handy in a bright red 3-ring binder. Sarah, Burlingame, CA (Editors note: I also give my son these labels to use! He especially loves using them as “Band-Aids” for his stuffed animals!! Cherie, San Mateo, CA)

» Good Use For An Old Keyboard: My 10-month-old loved nothing better than to bang away on my computer keyboard. So I gave her an old obsolete keyboard that we had lying around (couldn't bring myself to just throw it out). And now that she's older, that same old keyboard is making itself useful at the day care center for other tiny tots to brush up on their "typing" skills. Sarah, Minneapolis, MN

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» Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
» Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle. Perfect shaped pancakes every time.
» To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the
potatoes.
» To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
» Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan-the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
» To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
» To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top-skillet will be much easier to clean now.
» Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces-no more stains.
» When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead-no white mess on the outside of the cake.
» If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato-it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."
» Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator-it will keep for weeks.
» Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful, glossy finish.
» Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.
» When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness. (Also works well with carrots.)
» To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh-if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
» Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go.
» If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
» Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
» To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area instant relief.
» Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march.
» Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
» When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. It removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
»  Look what you can do with Alka Seltzer! Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
» To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase, thermos or cruet, fill with water and drop in 2-4 Alka-Seltzer tablets. Soak for an hour+.
» Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

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