Have you figured out the best short cuts to parenting? Do you know a thing or two about staying organized and keeping your kids happy and busy? Test your knowledge and see how many tricks and tips you've tried, because the true secret to parenting is outsmarting your kids!
To comfort a baby who doesn't like to sleep without you, lay one of your used t-shirts in the crib so your scent will be there all night.
There's nothing like a little friendly competition between siblings to get the long slog of getting ready for bed jump-started! If you only have one kid, they can beat the clock. The prize can be an extra bedtime story.
When you need a nap but your kid wants to play make believe, play "Sleeping Beauty" where you are the sleepy subject and you child must fight dragons before you wake up.
Convert a metal lunchbox into the ultimate travel kit. Stuff it with magnetic letters, paper, crayons, chunky figurines or Play-Doh for busy times on a car, plane, or train.
A chore chart by age is a great guide to remind you that a toddler can dust while a five-year-old can match socks.
When your baby is old enough to sit in the bath, plop him and his toys in a laundry basket in the tub. He'll have something to lean on and his toys will stay corralled.
If your toddler doesn't want a medicine dropper anywhere near her face, try this pacifier trick -- like a spoonful of sugar to help it go down.
If your baby likes to play or nap al fresco, a fitted sheet over the top will keep the sun and bugs out.
If your kid falls out of bed easily or if you're traveling without a toddler bed, slip a pool noodle under the fitted sheet for the perfect speed bump.
If your baby can't yet hold his bottle, fit it into one of these hole-filled balls with lots of spaces for little fingers to grip.
It can be confusing to keep track of doses of medication like liquid antibiotics. Draw a ten-day chart on the side of the bottle so you can mark it off as you go along. You'll know right away if you missed a dose.
A wipes container can be used for so many things from a crayon box to a snack caddy. It's the perfect sized container for little hands and easy storage.
Slip a a paper cupcake liner under a popsicle for less mess and non-sticky hands.
If you've ever watched a kid with a new toy, you know the box is the best part. Plunk them in there with a bunch of markers and let them go crazy.
For older kids, they can have the daily wifi password when they've done their chores.