More multitasking tools

By now you can probably tell I love helpful tools around the home that can multitask. My kids are getting older now so I am passing along these great placemats, but they are a perfect case-in-point. The trifecta: 1) the clear, easy-to-read labels boost reading skills, 2) the task of setting the table is instantly turned into a fun game by "filling in" each area, encouraging kids to pitch in with family chores with a fair degree of independence, and 3) basic table manners are reinforced by illustrating that there is place for everything. The idea of etiquette and decorum at the dinner table is heavily modified when your kids are little, but this is a fun way to introduce the concept to toddlers and preschoolers.

I found these online, however it'd be an easy project to make homemade versions (you could even add each family member's name) and ask a teacher friend to laminate them for you.

Keep it Fresh

Springtime allergy season is upon us, and one of my twins woke up yesterday with itchy, puffy eyes. Figuring that dust doesn’t help matters, I walked into my twin sons’ shared bedroom to strip their beds for laundering (unfortunately I need such motivators to clean), and took pause at the sight of their cluttered, beloved shelf space for their precious things. They each have dedicated shelves to call their own, but suffice it to say that kindergarteners’ standards of what objects are worth saving are quite different from mine! Later on in the day, when we had time, the three of us cleared out the shelves so that they could be properly dusted, while taking stock of the items, thinning them out, and unearthing missing items buried under other things (missing library book, anyone?) Some of our favorite books were hiding in there, and the boys exclaimed with delight at all the “new” titles! Instead of putting the books back on a shelf, I purposely left them out in a pile, and soon had a room of kids (their little sister had wandered in) each with a nose in a book– what a beautiful sight!

Even as adults, our eyes tend to tire of things sitting in front of us every day– our kids are no different. Mix up your book collection periodically to continually stoke your kids’ interest in reading. Ever notice how public libraries put up seasonal or monthly displays of rotating titles? You can use this same idea in your home to keep things fresh. The idea works for toys as well. You can save money in the long run by periodically performing a run-through of your home, storing the lesser-used toys out of sight. Two months later you can reintroduce the hidden toys, which will have a newfound “it” status– no need to buy new toys.

(Please note: the above photo is the "after" picture!)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk––The 9 Lives of a Burp Cloth

Babies spit up a lot, even healthy and full-term babies. If you have twins, triplets, or more, then you’ll be dealing with many spit-ups! Cloth diapers are super-absorbent, sold in economical multipacks, and can be wonderfully ‘repurposed’ as burp cloths. When my twins were infants, I found it useful to keep a stash of burp cloths in each area of our home to catch the frequent spit-ups.

When your babies grow into toddlers, hang onto your collection of burp cloths. Toilet-training twin toddlers [say that 5 times fast] will result in a fair amount of ‘accidents’ around the house. Keep your stash of cloths handy to wipe up messes.

Even as your twins grow into preschoolers, the burp cloths continue to be useful! Your kids have advanced from sippy cups to regular, open drinking cups. Families with multiples have lots of little people at the breakfast table––the squirms and dynamics result in inevitable spills, often on a daily basis. Once again, your burp cloths can save the day by quickly cleaning up knocked-over cups. Paper towels and other methods work too, but why not extend the life of your reusable cloth diapers?

Families with twins and more need budget-friendly solutions to everyday issues. Repurpose your babies’ burp cloths throughout the early years to save your money and sanity!

Painting For a Crowd, With Minimal Fuss

  "Mom, can we paint?"  Do you hear this request as often as I do?  

Even one-year-olds can scribble and paint; it is a great way to boost hand and finger [a.k.a. "fine motor"] skills, feel the sensation of paint underneath fingertips, and just have some fun!  Even older babies like to practice 'painting' with pureed food on their highchair tray.  As toddlers grow into preschoolers and beyond, the artwork matures into more significant forms and meaning, and painting, whether with fingers or brushes, is a great way to spend some time on a rainy or snowy day.

As a busy parent with two or more kids, though, you may sigh an inward groan as you visualize 20 minutes of prep time, 2 minutes of painting, more paint on the children than the paper, and then [inevitably] the post-painting-party cleanup.

Our four kids love painting, so we needed a system to make it easier on everyone.

An old mattress pad easily covers the kitchen table quickly, and soaks up paint spills.  Old pillowcases cover the chair backs for when kids get squirmy and lean over to check their siblings' project progress.  Old adult-sized t-shirts provide great art smock coverage, fastened in the back of the neck with a clip.  The supplies can be stashed in one of those plastic zippered storage bags that new mattress pads come in at the store.  Everything is stored together, easy to pull out and set up quickly.

When your Picassos and Monets are finished, simply pile up all the messy smocks and pillowcases into the center of the mattress pad, pull up the corners, and make a tidy little bundle.  All the messy stuff is safely contained within, and you can put the bundle in the laundry area and wash it when you have the time.  Any washable-paint-laden brushes can soak in the sink and be dealt with later.

The choices in washable paints and markers these days are dizzying, and kids don't even need fresh paper; painting on old cardboard boxes or paper rescued from the recycling pile is just as fun.

See what systems you can come up with––if the process is streamlined, you'll hear, "Can we paint?" and you will say, "Yes, we can!"