Clever Ideas

I'm a big fan of Real Simple magazine... not that I'm at all organized, it's more of enjoying organized life vicariously. I got the special Family issue this weekend, and there were many clever ideas. I've always wondered what people do with all of their magazine clippings, but now I know: blog about them. You might not find all--or any--of the ideas as clever as I do, but at least I'll know where to find them. Unless I forget about this post.

Getting kids ready in the morning:

• Take photos of each step in the morning routine; hang them up in a timeline type of format at kid height.
• Create a fun, upbeat (perhaps gradually increasing in upbeat-ness) playlist/CD that is the right length for getting ready. Then the kiddo will know "by the time X song is done, I need to have my teeth brushed"; "by the time Y song is done, I need to be dressed"; etc.

Free stuff online:

• Free kids' audiobook at AudibleKids. I've not checked it out myself, so I don't know what type of registration is necessary, if there's a limit to number of books, how big the selection of books is... But the magazine does mention that you need to click on the RIF logo.
• Coloring pages at National Geographic
• Other fun paper projects at cubeecraft.com and thetoymaker.com

The tooth fairy:

• Did you know that the Tooth Fairy has a website? Not free, but fun swag.

Eating vegetables:

• Do you have trouble getting your kiddos to eat their veggies? (or anything else that you want them to eat?) A reader contributed a suggestion to use dice to determine how many more bites your kiddo needs to eat before being excused. Let the kiddo roll the dice, and it's a fun and empowering way to involve kiddo in healthy eating. (I don't have an opinion on whether it's a good idea to do the "two more bites" thing with kids. But if you're going to do it...)

For your grown-up desk, use a metal Slinky as a pen and business card holder. Link it in a donut shape, stick pens in the center and business cards in the slots. And when you get bored, take it all out and play!