Find a simple solution to nix the infamous “what’s for dinner” question, how to DIY your way to toy organization bliss and more in this month’s tips and tricks. And if you have a life hack up your sleeve that other parents need to know, tell us about it. We could feature it in an upcoming issue of Metro Parent and give you $25.
Stinky Wool Solution
There is nothing cozier than a pair of wool slippers on a cold night, but there’s one BIG problem – how to clean them. With bare little piglets inside those warm wooly confines, things are bound to get ripe. But you can’t toss them into the washer. The solution? Sprinkle some baking soda inside the slippers, let them set for 24 hours, then shake them out, wipe the inside with a damp cloth and voilà – the foot funk is finito!
– Julia Elliott
Tidier Toys
I found an old 1990s entertainment center on a swap site, and my husband and I turned it into something to help us organize the piles of stuffed animals, books and treasures our 2.5-year-old daughter loves to keep around.
I used chalk paint over the original stained wood, my husband added the shelf where a TV once lived and bungee cords to create an easily accessible but tidy stuffed animal zoo. The whole project was surprisingly simple and made this obsolete piece of furniture extremely useful again.
– Crystal Peters
Reader: Mom of two, Shelby Township
Blackboard Kitchen Menu
Hate the question, “So what’s for dinner?” that comes at 5 p.m. from hungry kids? We’ve solved it by deciding weekly meals on Sunday, then listing them on a wall-sized blackboard in our kitchen. My three kids take turns helping with meals (we put assignments on the board, too). We found our board at a discount store; you can choose from a variety of sizes – and prices – on Amazon.
–Kristen J. Gough
Breast-feeding Buddy
When I first had my daughter, I tried everything but would always end up with a neck cramp after breast-feeding. I started using a travel pillow around my neck during her feedings and it was amazing! I could sit back and relax and neck issues were gone.
– Adrienne Spitzer
Reader: Mom of one, Shelby Township
Got at fantastic tip or trick? Visit MetroParent.com/TipTrick and tell us all about it! If we feature yours, you get $25. Simple as that.
