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Parental Controls Bootcamp with DadLabs’ Clay Nichols

January 24, 2012 by The Motherhood

Technology has become a huge part of daily life, and our kids are immersed in it, too. As parents in the Age of the Internet, we’re facing a new dilemma – how to regulate, and how MUCH to regulate, our children’s online lives?

As BetsyinPortland said, “It’s a whole new frontier.”

Luckily, DadLabs creator Clay Nichols was in The Motherhood today to put us through our paces during an incredibly informative live chat. He and his expert co-hosts shared advice on e-proofing gadgets and setting limits to protect our kids. Here are their top 10 rules.

Rule #1: Start Early

“By the time kids are teens, a lot of the work has already been done,” Clay Nichols pointed out. “Having conversations and modeling healthy behavior around food, sexuality, relationships, tech – in so many areas – needs to start early.”

Rule #2: Set Reasonable Limits

“The Famigo team has found that screentime for kids has changed quite a bit. It’s not just passive entertainment anymore,” said Q Beck, founder of Famigo. “There’s a ton of educational value and a lot of opportunities for families to play and learn together. There’s definitely a balance though, kids should still get outside and play!”

Clay Nichols said, “I don’t use specific time limits – more like a gut feeling when kids are getting overcooked. I do appreciate that some platforms, like the XBOX 360, allow parents to set daily time allowances for kids. Very cool parental control.”

Rule #3: Explain the Limits to Your Kids

Carrie Contey added, “I think being wide open to hearing all of the children’s opinions and concerns and desires is the best way to go. And then offering your limits with love and kindness.”

“Talking about limits and boundaries is the ultimate goal here – and one that reaches way beyond tech. This is a values conversation,” replied Clay Nichols.

Rule #4: Lead by Example

“I am a big advocate of having ‘Family Guidelines’ that everyone abides by,” said Carrie Contey. “No screens between 5-7 pm or a screen fast on Sundays. It’s up to the family, but I do believe it needs to apply to everyone.”

Q Beck suggested another method for leading by example. “Some of the adults I hang out with have been playing a new game at the dinner table where we stack up all of our phones when we’re out at a restaurant for the duration of the meal. The first person to grab their device during the meal has to foot the bill for dinner,” he said. “I think families can do something similar with different stakes, like whoever grabs their iPod or phone has to do the dishes.”

Rule #5: Help Kids Understand the Implications of Internet Use

“It’s amazing how even ADULTS don’t apply an ‘in person’ filter to what they post online,” remarked CretinNik. (If you won’t say it to someone’s face, don’t put it online.)

When it comes to allowing kids to post content, “I think you need to have really good in-person social skills before taking the social media toys for a ride,” agreed Deborah.

“My 12-year-old made a video with her friend where they acted, well, like idiots (that’s what they called it), and she wanted to put it on YouTube,” said Brandie. “So I asked her, when she goes to apply for college, or gets into high school, or whatever, does she want someone to search her and see that video? Well, no she didn’t want that. So she changed her mind and stopped asking!”

Rule #6: Be the Keeper of the (Online Access) Keys

“Own the Wireless,” Clay Nichols advised. “Put a passcode on the wireless network in your home and don’t tell the kids the password! Enter it for them if they need it. Assert that the wireless belongs to the parents and access is a privilege.”

And when it comes to monitoring Facebook and Twitter activity, along with other sites,”Controlling email accounts and access to the web is key,” he added.

“We also have iTunes password protected. My kids can’t download an app or a song without us putting in a code,” said Brandie.

Rule #7: When in Doubt, Supervise

For content-sharing sites like YouTube, because it “is so open and the content is so varied, we recommend it as a joint parent/kid activity, rather than trying to trust the safety mode and let your kids on it unsupervised,” said Q Beck.

“Since YouTube is not curated, you are going to get surprises, even if benign,” and even if supervised, Troy Lanier pointed out. “We prefer Ted Talks. They are short, interesting, and parents can watch too. There are other sites like Kideo and Zui, but we are more of a Ted Talks family.”

Clay Nichols added, “My rule is simple and physical. YouTube is rated R. Adult supervision for kids under 17. I restrict YouTube (off) on all mobile devices and tablets.”

Rule #8: Keep an Eye on All Tech Activity

“Our kids are NOT allowed to password protect their things,” said Brandie. “They can’t lock their computer or phone or iThing, because the rule is dad and I can pick it up at ANY time and look at it. That means we can see their texts, their e-mails, etc.”

Rule #9: Control Volume

From Clay Nichols, instructions for setting a volume limiter to protect kids’ eardrums (on iPod Nano, iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone): Home Screen >> Settings >> Music >> Volume Limit >> *move slide from right to left about 20-25%* >> set passcode >> confirm passcode

Added Q Beck, “Another option is avoiding all earphones/buds and using the built-in speakers on the devices. Of course then you are exposed to the sounds of the games, which might be annoying, but is also another way of getting involved, being aware of what is being played and prevents damage to hearing.”

Rule #10: Enjoy Gadgets Together!

“Famigo has seen a spike in tablet usage in families, especially since December. We’re seeing that they are largely shared devices that everybody in the family uses,” said Q Beck. “Making the differentiation between a tablet everyone shares and personal tablets is a good way to monitor content, curb spending and limit screen time. The physical action of sharing also creates more interaction between the whole family.”

“One of my kids and I read the same book from the iPad and leave notes, questions, comments for each other. I cherish being able to do that,” agreed Cooper.

“We recently bought our 10 year old a Nook Simple Touch. I like that it has only very limited SM capability like posting to FB and Twitter (which can be turned off),” said Clay Nichols. “She is thrilled and reads on it every night. And I read with her. On my Kindle.”

http://youtu.be/MbhNO6z1vHg

Thanks for a great chat, everyone! Check out the full transcript here. And, you can find our host and co-hosts here:

Clay Nichols, Creator of DadLabs

Troy Lanier, Director of Product Development, Kirkus Reviews

Carrie Contey, PhD, parenting expert

Q Beck, Founder of Famigo

The Best Ideas for Getting Organized with Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks

January 24, 2012 by The Motherhood

Hundreds of women came together in The Motherhood to get tips and tricks for getting organized from the brilliant Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks, Christine Koh of Boston Mamas and Meagan Francis of The Happiest Mom.

The biggest organizing challenges for everyone? Paper clutter, kids’ arts supplies, kids’ outgrown and out-of-season clothes, family schedules, and finding time and inspiration to actually get organized.

From the wildly inspiring conversation, here are the Top Twenty Tips for Organizing Your Life:

1. Simplify: 1) don’t organize more STUFF than you need to. (Declutter first.) 2) don’t organize more FINELY than you need to. (Don’t create files if a shoebox will suffice.) – Asha Dornfest, Parent Hacks

2. The key to getting organized isn’t finding that one true perfect system. It’s creating A system. Any system. And then doing it! – Meagan Francis, The Happiest Mom

3. Papers have a way of attracting more papers, toys more toys, junk more junk, etc. Attack it before it has a chance to grow! BE RUTHLESS! – Meagan Francis

4. I put a recurring Outlook to-do reminder to reconcile my paperwork every month. Since I love checking off to do items, it really helps! – Christine Koh, Boston Mamas

5. For old papers you don’t want to part with – but aren’t sure where to store – use the scanner out and convert it to digital clutter! – Homa24

6. I try to consolidate as much of that stuff as I can, right away. So, for example, instead of hanging on to the school notices, I enter the information into my calendar/notebook right way and then ditch it. For bills, I have two pockets that stick to the wall – one for ‘to pay’ and one for ‘recently paid. – Meagan Francis

(Photo: Wren)

7. Hang clipboards like these to categorize and keep track of paper piles without taking up desk space. – Christine Koh

8. If it’s not tax related or if I can get it online in the event I need it, it goes. – saracarl

9. Make photobooks out of the photos of her kid’s art. They love looking through them. – Homa24

10. The kids all have boxes to keep the papers they want to keep. If they don’t put it in their box, it gets recycled. – Brandie

11. Coupon binders are awesome! You get a binder and the baseball card holder plastic sheets {know what I’m talking about}. One coupon in each slot, then you always can see exactly what you have when you shop! – Brandie

(Photo: Christine Koh, Boston Mamas)

12. One of my key strategies to establish household harmony is getting stuff BEHIND DOORS. – Christine Koh

13. We do bi-annual consignment sales for the kids’ clothes/toys. – loranstefani

14. Think in terms of the concept that the more space you allocate the more you will fill it. We have one cardboard box per grade to store art/papers from school and one large plastic bin for clothing. When space is limited, it forces you to trim down and only save what you really want to save! – Christine Koh

15. Absolute necessity as you undertake getting organized: a calendar and a to-do list. Whatever format works for you…use it and keep it with you every day. The important thing is to get into the habit of writing things down. Initially it feels like more time taken away, but soon this amazing feeling of clarity comes. – Asha Dornfest

16. We have one of those huge desk calendars hanging on the door to our garage. Everyone has to write down anything they want us to know about on that calendar. – Brandie

17. My kids have trouble in the morning. Not morning people. So I write down their routines with them and they draw pictures, then they can check the chart to make sure they are getting through it all. – Julie Pippert.

18. Jedi to-do list trick: You WILL be interrupted throughout your day. So add rough time estimates to your to-do items (5 mins, 15 mins, 1 hour, etc.). That way, when your kid throws up and your three hours of writing time gets reduced to 15 minutes, you can plug something into that open slot. – Asha Dornfest

19. You do NOT need to do this alone, nor should you. Delegate to your partner, your kids, and to paid help if need be. Swap organizing ‘services’ with a friend. – Asha Dornfest

20. I look at organizing as a PRACTICE, not a process. There’s always going to be setbacks and do-overs when you have kids. Embrace the endlessness! – Meagan Francis

Thanks to the great advice, we are itching to de-clutter our own desks and homes!

Asha of Parent Hacks shared a link to an organizing resource page.

You can find Asha, Christine and Meagan, the fantastic hosts for the Talk, here:

Asha Dornfest, Parent Hacks, @parenthacks

Christine Koh, Boston Mamas, @bostonmamas

Meagan Francis, The Happiest Mom, @meaganfrancis

Be sure to check out the full transcript of the “Getting Organized” Talk for tons more great tips and advice!

Weight Loss on a Budget: The Simple Diet with Dr. James Anderson

January 19, 2012 by The Motherhood

Dr. James Anderson was in The Motherhood today to discuss his new book The Simple Diet: A Doctor’s Science-Based Plan, which outlines a budget-friendly diet for losing weight.

Some ‘food for thought’ from the conversation:

Getting Started

Dr. Anderson said, “To be successful, many people need to develop a deep commitment to the importance of losing weight and improving health and mobility for their family and loved ones. One needs to have a HEART for weight loss.”

We’ve all fallen off a dieting wagon at some point. “‘Simple’ is such a critical thing for me,” said Becki. “I don’t want to have to whip out a little booklet or an app on my phone every time I want to eat.”

Said Jenn of SuperJenn, “Making this a family commitment is a big part of success, as well. When one person is going it alone it is more difficult.”

When You’re on a Strict Budget…

“One of the central features of the Simple Diet is the use of three shakes per day. We estimate that moderately obese people can save $75/week on the Simple Diet,” said Dr. Anderson.

According to Nicole of SAHM Reviews, “When we changed our eating habits, we realized that we spent less because we were eating less. Think about the cost of a steak … we used to cook two when we ate steak, but now we cook one. That savings offset what we spent on produce. Coupon savvy moms need to remember that they can just transfer their savings from one product to another!”

“For a budget-minded dieter, I recommend purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables in season and preparing them with Splenda or non-caloric additives to be tasty,” said Dr. Anderson. “Canned fruits and vegetables also are good choices – rinse them to get rid of sugar and salt.”

The frozen entrees allowed in The Simple Diet help with portion size but still can be “more expensive than the cost of making my own foods,” said Rachael of Empowering Mommy.

But, as Christy of Quirky Fusion pointed out, “I think about how much my time is worth, especially during the day. I’d rather spend a bit more on a frozen meal during the day than carve out precious work time to cook. But I also like working more than cooking.”

When You Can’t Cook at Home…

According to Brett of This Mama Loves Her Bargains, when eating salad, “Dip your fork in the dressing, then put food on the fork – then your tastebuds get the flavor and not a ton of extra calories in each bite!”

“When I order at a restaurant I ask them to bring a box at the same time and before I even begin, place half of the meal in the box to take home for another time,” added Jenn of SuperJenn. She also advised, “I’ve found that all of the cheese found on restaurant food can really hide the flavor of the meal as well… asking for ‘lite cheese’ can cut calories and increase the flavor of the dish.”

As a guest in another person’s home, politely maintaining your diet can be trickier. Rachael of Empowering Mommy said, “My husband has learned to respectfully say, ‘I’m just watching my calories as I try to lose weight.’ He still tries everything, but small portions of the things that are high in calories.”

When You Don’t Have Enough Time…

The Simple Diet allows for low-cal frozen food options, which are a time-saver, but as Dr. Anderson says, “The sodium content of many frozen food entrees can be high. You can shop the hundreds of entrees available and find lower sodium ones.”

Double your favorite recipes when you’re cooking, so you can freeze the extra. “I love making soups. Tons of veggies and plenty of leftovers to freeze for another night,” said Emily.

When You Just Want MORE…

“The Simple Diet relies on VOLUME,” said Dr. Anderson. “We recommend 64 oz of noncaloric fluid daily. Fruits and vegetables provide volume with only 15-30 cal/oz. Shakes provide volume with 10-20 cal/oz … People report initially that they cannot eat all the food.”

“Hydration can make such a difference in so many aspects of your health!!” agreed Jenn of SuperJenn. “Sometimes when we feel hungry, our bodies are actually thirsty, right?”

“On the Simple Diet we recommend eating fruit but not using fruit juices. The fruits, often with the apple, peach or pear skins, have more fiber and take longer to eat. Research shows that this is an important aid to weight loss,” said Dr. Anderson.

Here’s to a healthy New Year! You can read the whole transcript of the Talk with Dr. Anderson here.

Thanks to Dr. Anderson and our fantastic co-hosts for leading an inspiring and informative Live Talk:

Brett, This Mama Loves Her Bargains

Christy, Quirky Fusion

Jenn, SuperJenn

Nicole, SAHM Reviews

Rachael, Empowering Mommy

State of the Mom Blogosphere 2012

January 18, 2012 by The Motherhood

When you put nine elite bloggers in a virtual “room” with hundreds of participants for a live chat about the State of the Mom Blogosphere in 2012, some clear trends emerge.

Back in September 2010, we gathered the same group of insightful, exceptional women, and their predictions for the online world that year were incredibly accurate. We were thrilled and honored to have them with us again on January 17, 2012 (our first day live on our new platform!), to share what matters to them this year in the mom blogosphere.

Here are the top 10 takeaways from the discussion.

1) Expand with the Online Universe

The online universe has grown, and it’s not all about the blog anymore. To keep up, you need to make your presence known elsewhere.

As BusyDad noted, “One’s blog is now one of many facets of our online lives, rather than being by default the center of it. Many online luminaries these days are famous for their Twitter persona or their Facebook, and not necessarily their blog.”

Agreed EvolvingStacey, “I feel as if my connections and growing network takes place away from my blog … My blog is more like my house, but I leave my house to be social.”

That’s not to say that your blog is unimportant. Amie Adams of Mamma Loves pointed out, “I tend to think of my blog as the hub to my online wheel. Twitter, FB, Google+, online forums all split off from it. It’s like an online business card – brings you credibility.”

2) Pinterest is the New Twitter

While you are expanding your social media horizons beyond your blog, make Pinterest a priority.

If you haven’t heard of Pinterest yet, consider this your introduction to the hottest new social media site of 2012 – a virtual corkboard designed to give you visual inspiration or consolidate your favorite ideas from across the web.

“I haven’t seen this much excitement and addiction since Twitter in ’08,” Isabel Kallman of Alphamom said about the site.

You can get an account and start pinning here!

3) Newbie Bloggers Welcome – but Bring Your A Game

New to blogging? There are a lot of mom blogs in the space, but if you are ready to dive in, you shouldn’t be intimidated.

“There will be a lot more chatter to cut through now. But I think awesome is awesome. And awesome rises to the top,” said Christine Koh of Boston Mamas.

She recommended that beginning mom bloggers turn to “The Digital Mom Handbook” and “Mom Inc.” for help.

For new and existing blogs alike, Kimberly Coleman of Foodie City Mom also has great suggestions for blogging goals in 2012 on She Posts.

4) There’s No One “Right” Way to Blog

Everyone blogs for different reasons, some intensely personal and some more business-focused. But whatever your reason – your fellow bloggers accept it now more than ever before.

Liz Gumbinner of Mom101 and Cool Mom Picks mused, “I can go back to the dark ages of 2006 when there were debates about the right kind of blogging. That increased tremendously in 2008 or so with the mass monetization of mom blogs. Now there’s this wonderful sort of detente – there are so many kinds of moms with so many kinds of blogs, and fewer debates about who is right and who is wrong.

“There’s no one right way to blog. It’s nice that there’s more acceptance of one another.”

5) Look for Creative Inspiration Everywhere

Whether you’re driving, watching TV, taking a shower – pay attention, and a brilliant blog post idea might just pop into your head.

Noted Jennifer James of Mom Bloggers Club, “I am constantly thinking about new posts to write and new perspectives to write them from. I carry a pad with me and jot down a lot of ideas on receipts. The wheels are constantly churning.”

And don’t underestimate that old advice – write what you know!

Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant‘s creative blog ideas “come from my life. If we’re remodeling a bathroom, I find a way to post about a how-to. If we’re traveling, I write about that, and I spend half my life creating beauty recipes, so I photograph them and write about it.”

6) Don’t Underestimate OR Overestimate the Power of SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can help bring traffic to your blog, but it’s not always the traffic you want or need.

Isabel Kallman of Alphamom said of her own success with SEO, “Started on WordPress, used the correct Plugin, changed the URL from the creative title, tagged my photos better … BUT DON’T FORGET: write great content.”

BusyDad pointed out, “Unless you have a review or cooking/recipe blog, I want to emphatically say that SEO is so much less important than engaged readers. Trust me… compelling content and engaged readers/friends are what will get you quality return visits, influence and credibility as a blogger.”

7) It’s Time to Bring Marketers Up to Speed

During the live chat, the group consensus was that marketers seem to target mom bloggers mostly for baby-related products. Many felt that brands are missing the boat.

Tracey Clark of Shutter Sisters pointed out, “The tween and especially teen markets are hugely overlooked” by marketers in the mom blogosphere. “There’s got to be a shift soon there, doesn’t there?”

Amie Adams at Mamma Loves agreed, “My kids may develop their own tastes, but I’m the one who does the buying. I spend thousands on sports equipment, technology and clothing.”

8) Help Your Blog Evolve as the Kids Grow Up

When our kids are babies and toddlers, many of us love to share every anecdote and detail of their lives. When they get old enough to have their own online identities, respecting their privacy as an individual can change the face of your blog.

“I have started targeting my writing more toward the women with a shorter anecdote here and there about my kids,” said Andrea Updyke. “They are still young – oldest is 3 this month, but I already feel more protective of his story.”

“As our kids grow up, I think we naturally rediscover who we are individually, above and beyond mothers,” said Tracey Clark of Shutter Sisters. “This opens the doors up to new stories…it’s so exciting!”

9) Blogging Can Create a New “You” – Embrace It!

If you can identify your passion, find your niche and successfully write about it, your cup just might runneth over.

Justice Fergie said of her blog, “It’s given me an entire business, community, platform, brand image and now … a new way of life! I’m so excited to be working for myself, full-time. And it’s all thanks to blogging.”

Jennifer James of Mom Bloggers Club agreed, “Blogging has completely changed me. I see life and its possibilities in different ways – nothing is too big to tackle.”

10) What 2012 Might Have In Store

Social good, an increase in video blogging and fair compensation for brand-related projects were all tossed out as possible 2012 trends.

See more 2012 predictions in Jennifer James’ Mom Blog Magazine.

“I think 2012 will see Moms focus their efforts on *social change* via networks, communities and transitioning lifestyles,” said Mental_Clutter. “Gone are the days of tolerating drama, here are the days of moving forward to leave a substantial mark.”

“One the most interesting things to happen in the Mom Blogosphere is how many moms are taking their blogs to a new level,” added Rebecca Levey. “There are a lot of mini-media empires building beyond the blogs. Mom Blogs have become more like unique brands every year. ”

Agreed Shari, “We are already seeing the trends for 2012. So many fabulous women have taken it to the next level – magazines, TV, fashion shows – they have raised the bar. In a good way.”

That was one inspiring conversation.

We were there when the mom blogger community began, and we’ve watched as it has grown exponentially over the past several years. We are constantly amazed by how quickly and how often the mom blogosphere changes.

Thank you to all of the amazing men and women who shared their thoughts with us on this fascinating topic! You can find our co-hosts on their own blogs and elsewhere across the web in 2012:

Allison Czarnecki, Petit Elefant
Amie Adams, Mamma Loves
Christine Koh, Boston Mamas
Isabel Kallman, Alphamom
Jennifer James, Mom Bloggers Club and Jennifer James Online
Laura Mayes, Kirtsy and Mom 2.0 Summit
Liz Gumbinner, Mom101 and Cool Mom Picks
Stacie Ferguson, Justice Fergie and Blogalicious
Tracey Clark, Shutter Sisters and Tracey Clark

Check out a full transcript of the AMAZING conversation here.

Holiday Wellness 101

November 30, 2011 by The Motherhood

Moms eager to keep themselves and their families feeling great during the holiday season and year-round gathered in The Motherhood on November 30, 2011, to talk about staying germ-free and high-energy.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 tips that emerged from the discussion about how to keep everyone feeling good during the holidays.

Tip #10: Be prepared

“In the event that someone gets sick, I keep on hand some staples. Jello, soda crackers, Ramen noodles, and ginger ale. Nothing worse than when your kids are sick and YOU are sick and somebody needs to get to the store,” said Deborah.

Tip #9: Keep sick kids home

“If my child is sick, I take them out of school right away and keep them out until they are totally well. I wish others would do the same,” said Suzanne, Mom Confessionals. “I know parents are busy, but then the germs are just passed back and forth.”

Tip #8: Stop germs at the front door

“Kids bring home germs from school often. Have them wash hands right away and even consider having them change clothes!” said Stefany, To Be Thode.

Suzanne at Mom Confessionals agreed, “I do that too and I work in a hospital. God knows what I bring home!”

Tip #7: Eat healthy

“Keep the foods as real as possible. My philosophy around food is all around quality and quantity,” said Betsy, B Moore Healthy. “Quality meat and dairy from a local farm if you can do it! Dairy, however, is not our friend when we have congestion, cold symptoms!”

“I drink a lot of smoothies. My pumpkin one last month was really popular. My kids like some of them. I use a green tea base instead of milk, and that’s great,” said Julie Pippert.

“We do green smoothies with kale and fruit. Great way to get greens into the little ones!” added Betsy.

Tip #6: Include superfoods

“Super foods, in my book, are all fruits and veggies. They all have their own amazing qualities,” said Betsy, B Moore Healthy. A few other examples:

– Kale

– Gogi berries

– Raw cacao

– Honey

– Pomegranates

Tip #5: Don’t forget about home remedies and supplements

“I’m big on eating healthy (lots of fruits and veggies) and taking Vitamin C or zinc when colds start coming on,” said Penelope, Penelope’s Oasis.

Caryn at Rockin’ Mama suggested “Probiotics! I find we don’t get sick as often when we take probiotics. They are also helpful for digestive issues.”

“Daily vitamins are just good in general,” said Suzanne, Mom Confessionals. “It’s a good foundation to start with. I also keep lots of lemon on hand, nature’s sanitizer… And mixed with honey it’s great when I feel something coming on.”

“Another good concoction is a cup of very hot water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (the natural type if available) and a tablespoon of honey mixed in. It tastes like hot cider, is soothing, and is good for the digestive tract to boot,” said Becki.

Tip #4: Simplify and stay organized over the holidays

“We cut way back last year by doing the 3 gifts thing. That has helped my buying stress. I use a calendar to keep up with other stuff,” said Stefany, To Be Thode.

“I simplify and listen to myself. If I feel stressed, I need my de-stress time, and if tired, I need rest. I avoid as best I can the temptation to go go go!” added Julie Pippert.

Tip #3: Consider getting a flu shot

“An ounce of prevention goes a long way,” said Suzanne, Mom Confessionals.

“We are religious about it,” agreed Becki. “My daughter gets pneumonia easily when she gets a bad upper respiratory infection.”

Tip #2: Wipe down surfaces

“If I were to pick one thing to keep germs at bay, I would say to not touch public things too much! It’s incredible how babies can get sick from sitting in markets shopping carts (those germy handles) and I keep wipes and antibacterial lotion on hand because you can’t always avoid it,” said Penelope, Penelope’s Oasis.

Added Stefany at To Be Thode, “During your daily cleanup, grab a can of Lysol and spray surfaces! Get doorknobs, phones, etc. Clean the kids toys often or spray those down too when they go to bed.”

Tip #1: Above all, clean your hands

“Wash hands a million times a day especially if you have little ones AND wash their hands too,” said Betsy, B Moore Healthy.

“Hand sanitizers are okay but as a nurse, I have to say I am pro-water and soap. The sanitizers are great for on the go though,” said Stefany, To Be Thode.

Thanks to our fantastic, health-oriented co-hosts:

Betsy, B Moore Healthy
Caryn, Rockin’ Mama
Penelope, Penelope’s Oasis
Stefany, To Be Thode
Suzanne, Mom Confessionals

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62302

Babycare and Mom Helpful Hints with Heloise and Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment

February 24, 2011 by The Motherhood

Women gathered in TheMotherhood on February 24, 2011, to share helpful hints about baby and household care. We were joined by hints expert Heloise, an internationally syndicated columnist, TV personality and author of several books, including her latest, Handy Household Hints from Heloise.

As Heloise noted at the end of the Talk, “My mother, the original Heloise, started the Mom’s community back in 1959 in her newspaper column. She told her housewives ‘I love you, and you’re not alone.’”

We are saying the same thing to moms today, more than 50 years later. The communication is different, but the intent is the same – to provide a safe place for moms to ask questions, get answers, sympathize, share stories and stay strong!

Thank you to Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment for partnering with us to bring you this incredible, powerful Talk!

Taking care of our families and ourselves

It’s easier to care for your children when you take care of yourself, too!

“If you can find some money for a mother’s help or trade off with friends for a babysitter, I find it helpful to have a day to myself every so often,” said co-host Jill, The Diaper Diaries. “Even grocery shopping without kids is like a spa day. It is a luxury!!”

Added participant 1Chef, “Sometimes I think we all try to multi-task too much! Sometimes focusing more on fewer tasks at a time is helpful.”

Baby care and advice

Moms also discussed their best hints for taking care of babies, ranging from practical to emotional.

Co-host Cat, 3 Kids and Us, advised new moms to “buy a lot of infant gowns and skip the frilly clothes. Babies grow so fast and the gowns are so easy for diaper changes, which happen so frequently.”

In a similar vein, “do your homework, visit and talk with other families and see what you really need in way on baby equipment,” added 1Chef. “It’s easy to over-do and get too much stuff that you actually don’t need or use.”

Co-host Janel, A Mom’s Take, said she would have appreciated knowing how difficult breastfeeding would be. “No one told me it would be hard at first and I could have easily quit if I wasn’t so sure I wanted to nurse. Once I got over the initial learning curve I have loved nursing, but boy I wasn’t prepared for that!”

And when baby is old enough to eat in a highchair, Heloise had a great tip to prevent slipping: “Putting non-skid shelf liner or bathtub appliqués on the seat of the chair.”

When it comes to keeping your child’s toys clean, Heloise recommends “baking soda for stuffed animals and a solution of simple white or apple cider vinegar to de-grime plastic toys.”

She also endorsed using “a quality diaper ointment (I love Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment and use it on my hand and feet!)” to treat diaper rash – AND after each diaper change to help prevent rashes.

Above all, “be flexible,” said co-host Rachael, Empowering Mommy. “Only take advice from those you really trust and ignore all other comments. Don’t be afraid to test things and come up with your own rules.”

Potty training

As your kids grow out of diapers, potty training can prove to be a delicate balance, especially overnight.

“I think the pull-ups with their erasable symbols really seem to work with my kids,” said participant mmmyatt. “When they can see a sign that they’ve stayed dry, they are really proud–and they work hard to see those symbols still there in the morning.”

Co-host Angela, Frugal Living NW, suggested waiting to potty train “until you notice a dry diaper. It’s worked for me with my first 3. It might be another year until your child is ready for a dry night.”

“Don’t give any liquids two hours prior to bedtime,” added Krista S. “This helped so they didn’t wet the bed at night or come running into our bedroom and then pee in the middle of the night!”

Getting the kids to help with chores

It isn’t always easy to get help around the house – kids are more interested in playtime.

“Make it a race,” said co-host Alison, Being Alison. “See who can put away the most things the quickest. Or just how fast they can do it.”

You could even use “a timer. I am amazed at how motivated my kids get when I set a timer for 5 minutes,” added co-host Jill Anderson, Diaper Diaries.

ShannonK gets her kids moving by giving them an incentive. “I make a list of what I need each kid to do, then take all media away until it is done. It is shocking how fast they can move, if they are motivated.”

“I make weekly household chore for every family member, especially my kids,” said SuzanneDS. “A star is placed after chore done, and monthly a special surprise awaits.”

Uncluttering

Most of the moms agreed that avoiding clutter, or clearing it, was a major task. They traded suggestions with Heloise for minimizing the problem.

“For teens, if they decorate their rooms, they’ll be tidier,” said 1Chef. “Also, for teen clothes, they can re-sell/trade at consignment stores like Plato’s Closet.”

“I actually boxed up my daughter’s clothes when she grew out of them,” said Aubrie. “It keeps it organized by size (and gender) for the next possible addition.”

Brandie gets her whole family involved to “do it Clean Sweep Style (if anyone remembers that show). We literally move everything out of the bedroom into the living room. We spread it all out and then we start going through it. We do this about 3 times a year.”

Heloise Hints for uncluttering

1. File it wherever it goes

2. Fix it if it can be fixed, if not, throw it out

3. Five minutes or five things (five minutes cleaning out a kitchen drawer, one shelf in the fridge, etc. Five things – touch and deal with five and only five things: five things out of your makeup drawer, your purse, etc.)

4. Forward: If it goes to another room, carry it with you when you move. If it goes to the kitchen, carry it with you when you walk through the house. Hint from my mother, the original Heloise: Never ever leave a room empty handed.

5. FORGET ABOUT IT!

Heloise last ditch stain remover for washable clothes

One gallon hot water
1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
1/4 cup household liquid chlorine bleach

Stir to dissolve the dishwasher detergent. Put the clothes in, let them soak for ten to twenty minutes and then check.

If the stains do not come out in twenty minutes, soaking longer or overnight is not going to be any better.

Bleaching out yellowing clothes

Brandie and other moms suggested “vinegar and sunshine!”

Heloise added, “Try one garment and soak it in a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide which acts as a slower, milder bleaching agent.”

BEST HINTS FROM HELOISE AND THEMOTHERHOOD

1. Dealing with Kids’ Boo-Boos:

From Heloise: Use a red washcloth, which shows no blood, and tiny frozen fast-food condiment packages as ice packs, remove bandage, without an ouch, by covering first with baby or mineral oil.

From Brandie: Fill cloth bags with flax and lavender. You can put them in the freezer. They feel good on bruises and small injuries and have a nice scent that can be calming.

2. Ways to Organize Tot’s Things:

From Heloise: Put complete outfits, underpants and all, in a large zipper bag. On the weekend, put together a week’s worth to save stress and time on hectic mornings.

From “Clumberkim”: When you get a new toy, give away, sell or donate an old one to avoid an excess buildup of unused or forgotten toys.

3. Keeping Track of Bath Toys:

From Heloise: Corral them with a plastic colander or mesh vegetable bag, which go right into the tub and allows for easy drying.

From “This Mama Loves”: To clean bath toys, put them in a lingerie bag, zip it and put it on the top shelf of the dishwasher. Avoid squirty bath toys or toys with holes, which are harder to clean and sanitize.

4. Maintaining the Peace During Naptime:

From members of The Motherhood: When the baby is sleeping, put a note on your front door that says, “Do Not Disturb, the baby is napping” to prevent people from ringing the doorbell and waking him or her.

From Heloise: Heloise’s mother, the original Heloise, published this hint in her newspaper column that she started in 1959 (a true reflection of the importance and power of women sharing their best ideas).

5. When Heloise invited the community to share their best advice for new moms, the community overwhelmingly said, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to come up with your own rules.

Thanks to Heloise, Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment and our AMAZING blogger co-hosts:

Janel, A Mom’s Take

Sheryl, Cents’Able Shoppin

Jessica, The B Keeps Us Honest

Jill, Diaper Diaries

Angela, Frugal Living NW

Catherine, 3 Kids and Us

Crystal, Simply Being Mommy

Rachael, Empowering Mommy

Brett, This Mama Loves Her Bargains

Alison, Being Alison

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62162