Efficient shopping lists

Remember everything you need from the store by compiling the list throughout the day. Place an envelope on the refrigerator with a magnet. As you think of an item you need at the store, jot it on the envelope. Also place the coupons you will need in the envelope immediately after clipping them. When it´s time to go to the store, grab the envelope which has your list on it and the coupons inside, and you´re ready to go.

Family Photo Album for Child

Do you want your child to remember the names of out of town relatives that he rarely sees? Help your child make his own family photo album. Place pictures of your child with the out-of-towners in the album and look at them often. He will enjoy looking at pictures of himself and will remember the visits, even if they aren´t often.

Clean with baby on your back

Clean while holding baby. Invest in a baby hiking backpack and carry your baby on your back. He will love it as much as being held in your arms, but your arms and hand will be free to vacuum, wash dishes, dust, etc.

Kids Magazines

Want a regular dose of craft ideas, coupled with deliveries for your child at a good price? Subscribe to children´s magazines, such as Sesame Street Magazine. Your child will love receiving mail addressed to her. The craft suggestions are usually excellent. Also, you only pay once a year and receive the subscription every month.

Sleep during naptime

Avoid the grouchy mommy syndrome and sleep when your child sleeps. It is tempting to work around the house when your child naps, but often you need the rest as much, if not more, than your child does. Napping in the middle of the day with your child will make the rest of your day more productive and pleasant.

Tips for Professional Pics

Do you want great professional portraits of your children? Decide which poses you want before you enter the studio. Advise the photographer of exactly what you want and tell him that the window of opportunity is small. The experience will be much more productive if it´s short and to the point and a lot of time isn´t wasted choosing poses.

Compare your child´s size each year

Want an easy way to compare your child´s growth from one year to the next? Take a birthday picture of your child wearing the same hat every year. The picture will become a tradition and the photos will be priceless next to each other in the album.

Imaginary Friend

It is normal for preschool children to have imaginary friends. It is more common in first born or only children, especially if they have a creative imagination. An imaginary friend can provide companionship, allow her to be in charge of and control someone, and allow her to experience many of the good and bad things that she dreams about. If your child also is social and interacts with other children, then there is little to worry about if she has one or more imaginary friends. This is also a private part of your child´s life, so unless she asks you to take part in her fantasy life, you should respect her privacy and stay out of this fantasy world.

Family Movie Night

Establish a fun family ritual by watching a movie together on the same day every week. You can go to the movie theatre or watch a video at home. The ritual will be something everyone can look forward to and will present opportunities to discuss the dilemmas the characters faced and their relation to family members´ lives.

Playdates

Preschool playdates can be fun for children and parents. But often children continue to play side by side, as they did when they were younger, rather than together. Don´t worry. This behavior is normal and should not be discouraged. Even if the interaction is limited, it is still beneficial for your child. The more opportunity the two children have to play together, the more interaction you can expect.

Tape child´s voice

Capture your child´s cute voice on audio tape. She will love hearing it played back for her immediately and in the future. The tapes will also become priceless treasures for you.