Fall is upon us; isn’t it glorious? When I was a kid, spring was my favorite season, even though the allergies would have me spying the budding newness through itchy, watery eyes. But as I get older, I find it is autumn that I love the most. There is something about the crisp air, the pronounced change of season, hot apple cider and neck scarves. Yep, spring with sandals and sundresses are fine, but give me fall, a great hat and boots any day.

It’s also a great time to get your young one out from in front of the TV and into the great outdoors. Alas, at times that’s easier said than done! “But Mom.. it’s COLD” (or wet or buggy… insert your own frequently heard complaint).” If you haven’t had much luck getting their keesters off the couch, here are some things you can try:

• Think outside the box: The “Big Family Outing” doesn’t have to be a big, family outing. It can be something relatively simple like taking the dog and a Thermos full of cocoa to a new park. Maybe it’s raking leaves for the neighbor (with the promise they can jump in the pile a few times) or grilling hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire pit in the backyard.  The point is that it doesn’t have to be a grand production.  Your kids will still get the benefits of a bit of fresh air in the process.
• Let the kids plan the field trip fun: If you want to do something a little more adventurous, how about turning the planning over to them? Even little kids can tell you what they want to do, and with a little guidance, you can all come up with something really fun to do for which they can have a bit of ownership. It’s also a great opportunity to create memories. For us, it’s the annual Apple Picking Trip. It was something we decided to do as a family about eight years ago, and even though my kids are older now they still look forward to going.

• When all else fails, bribery: Look I said I was the good enough mother not the good mother. Sometimes it takes more than, “It will be fun” to get them to move, especially as they get older. So as a last resort, I throw in something that they’ll like; maybe it’s a promise to eat out or a new song on iTunes. I don’t have to resort to this often, but it works great in a pinch.  Then guess what happens? Once they get outside they have a great time, proving once again, that old, unhip Mom knew what she was talking about all along.

What about you? What do you do to get your kids out from in front of the TV on a beautiful fall day?

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

When our first baby, Casey, came along, my husband and I were determined to make sure she assimilated into our life, not the other way around. We were pretty active and keen on keeping it that way. But there were a lot of things to think about when our duo became a trio, and in the forefront of our minds, like all parents, was safety. I was thinking about this since September is National Baby Safety Month. Keeping baby safe is really sort of all encompassing.  In those early days, what I thought most about was keeping Casey safe in transit for those trips around the block, when I would strap her in the car seat and pray she would go to sleep. Yeah I did that. With this in mind, here are some of my top safety tips from one good enough mother to another.

THE CAR SEAT:  Ahh yes…car seats. For the record, they’re much easier to install now, than even a few years ago. I wish I had a nickel for each time I spent struggling and sweating to make sure the car’s seatbelt was tight enough, then tugging to make sure the car seat itself didn’t move or rock if I took a sharp turn, or God-forbid, worse. Now, with bases that click and lock, you know it’s in there to stay. Bonus: you can get them in and out quickly, provided you know what you're doing. My recommendation is to find one you are really comfortable dealing with, since your baby will spend quite a bit of time in it. Ask around and read product reviews and make sure you find one that will give you the most “bang for your buck,”  and always read the entire instruction manual before using the car seat.

BABY GATES: Now if you’ve driving over the river and through the woods to let’s say Grandmother’s house, everyone, including your toddler, is going to be itching to get out and stretch their legs. And that’s good. But if you’re at grandma’s house, a baby gate is going to be a must, seein’ as it may have been a while since a little one’s been tooling around her house. The gates nowadays are lightweight and sturdy, which translates to peace of mind for you. You need this because having a little one who’s mobile is the very definition of a “game-changer.”

BABY-PROOFING: And then there’s this, catchall term. You know you need to do it, but what is IT exactly? You’re probably aware of the usual things, like covering electrical outlets. But also take extra care in the kitchen. If you’re still at Grandma’s, ask her to turn down the hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and keep all medications out of reach of little hands.

Here’s one more trick I used. I loved being on the floor with my kids. So while I was down there tickling and loving on them, I would take a good look around so I could see the world from their perspective. What’s at eye level? What’s brightly colored and dangling off the counter, just waiting to be tugged on? What little tiny objects did the vacuum miss, that are now tucked away in the corner, just waiting to be popped in a mouth? You might be surprised what you find. Of course, it means finding the fun in putting stray pieces of string in your mouth, but if it will help keep baby safe, get on down there and take one for the team! A little planning and forethought can go a long way to making sure your baby grows up happy and healthy.

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

Life is so busy with work, children, a husband and extra activities. Housework can easily be pushed to the back burner, at least around my house. It is just so hard finding that perfect balance, allowing enough time for everything (if that's even humanly possible).

Keeping a neat and tidy home is such a challenge for me. I love the house to be picked up and clean, but I am not a neat freak and cleaning isn't my favorite pastime. We live in such a small house and with two kids, two dogs, and all the normal family activity, it just always seems to be a mess. I am constantly trying out new tactics, schedules and routines to try and find the perfect fit for our family, so that our home can be lived in, but also picked up and clean.

One of the best things I have done on my quest to be an amazing homemaker is creating a cleaning schedule. I can't claim this idea as my own, it was my best friend who did it and then told me about it. She created a daily cleaning schedule. Each day before going to bed she would have a task. For example: Monday: clean bathroom; Tuesday: mop floor; Wednesday: vacuum; Thursday: dust; Friday: tidy/straighten; Saturday: clean floors; Sunday: laundry & tidy/clean anything that needs it.

Using this type of schedule ensures that you are gradually staying on top of everything and the housework doesn't get out of control. I have loved using this and it really has helped me each day take a little bit of time to keep the house in order.

After I saw how well this cleaning schedule helped me keep up with things, I also made a dinner schedule. I planned out four different dinners to make during the week. We usually eat out a time or two and we love leftovers, so this was enough for my family. Rotating the same four meals each week has allowed me to simplify grocery shopping and I just know what I will be making. After a few weeks of making the same meals I will add in a few new ones, to keep things from getting boring. This works so well for us and I find that we eat healthier and better when I follow my meal schedule.

Also, I love to let the kids help me and they enjoy it just as much. If Hollis sees me sweeping or vacuuming he wants to help and Ava loves cleaning the table/windows/surfaces with a wet sponge. I have a special little hand held sweeper and dustpan for Hollis and I’m always ready for the kids to lend a hand and help out. I feel like they are learning so much about taking care of a home and their things when the help clean.

I am constantly working on finding a good balance and keeping up with housework. Knowing I am keeping things together allows me to be able to sit down at the end of the day and relax. So much nicer than sitting down, looking around and seeing all that needs to be done. As overwhelming as all the housework can seem, I have found that if I tackle it little-by-little it doesn't seem as bad.

By Guest Blogger Amanda from Real Moms Real Views

I love going to the gym. I do, I swear. If only I hated food as much as I love going to the gym, I’d be buying a teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini. Why do I love it, you ask? Because, other than the fact that I have a great gym located near our house, I’ve made it as pleasurable and easy as possible. Here’s how you can do it that way too:

•    First and foremost, you have to pick a gym that has a great child-care room. For me, that’s number one. The gym I joined in Texas had only adequate care, and the boys only came with me a handful of times. This forced me to work around my husband’s schedule, which meant half the time I never even went. Plus, it’s never a great situation to come home sweaty to a messy house and hungry children. Pass.

The gym we go to now (It’s a YMCA. Love, love, LOVE!) has fantastic child watch. The staff knows my boys by name, and they both just run in without hesitation because THEY love it, which is vital. Knowing my boys are safe, being attended too, and are having FUN, gives me the opportunity to work out with peace of mind. When you tour a gym, get a good look at the childcare room. Ask to talk to the manager. Get to know the staff by name.

•    Shower there. Before you get dorm room flashbacks, hear me out. Wouldn’t it be great to get home already showered and dressed? It takes a little bit of prep work, but I’d MUCH rather prep then come home, turn on the TV, give the boys a snack, sneak in a quick shower with your little one opening the curtain getting wet... I promise you’ll very quickly get over the flip flops and shower caddy when you get an extra 20 minutes of peace and quiet, and can leave the gym fully rejuvenated and ready to move on with your day. Hey, you might even get to do your hair!

•   If you don’t have time to shower, just bring a change of clothes. Even that much will help you leave “it all” at the gym.

•    Work it into your schedule. With rising gas prices, it doesn’t make sense to drive to similar locations twice in one day. Once you’ve showered at the gym, you can make that quick stop to the grocery store or Target. Hit the park on your way home. Meet some friends for lunch. Duck out of playgroup a bit early, and skip showering at the gym, since it will be naptime when you get home. Or better yet, get going right away in the morning and workout before a play date (If you have any tips on how to do that, please let me know. I am SO not a morning person)!

•    Have a specific gym bag, and keep it packed at all times. Sometimes finding the motivation to pack all the bags, on top of changing diapers and putting on shoes is enough to keep you at home. Fill your bag with extras- hair products, make-up bag, toothbrush, deodorant... just make sure it’s a big bag. =)

I got a HUGE backpack, which is great when I’m carrying one kiddo and holding hands with another. My boys have a gym bag too, with their diapers, wipes and sippy cups. We only use this for the gym, so it stays packed and I don’t have to think about it when we’re leaving in a hurry.

•    Buy yourself some nice workout clothes. It’s worth the investment.

•    If it’s a gorgeous day out, and a friend you keep playing phone tag with invites you to a picnic at the park, by all means- skip the gym and go to the park. Forcing yourself to go to the gym will only build resentment. Make the gym a place that you love to go to. Be spontaneous and go on a whim when your kids are driving you particularly NUTS (this is where that packed bag comes in handy).

•    Get a gym buddy. They work wonders.

•    Start taking a class. Get to know the regulars in the class. The accountability and socializing will keep you going week after week.

•    Just run. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the infinite ways of working out, just run. Start with 1 mile. A mile is nothing, right? Well, once you’re comfortable there keep lengthening the distance. I started this a few months ago, and I’m up to running 2.5 miles and will be doing my first 5K!

•    When all else fails, get the most out of your gym membership by forcing your husband to go and take the kids. Bliss.

By Guest Blogger Joanna from The Bragging Mommy

I remember two things very clearly about my own nursing experience. First, it was so much more rewarding than I had anticipated. I didn’t go into my first pregnancy feeling strongly about breastfeeding one way or the other and really hadn’t given it much thought until my OB mentioned it to me. The other thing I remember - it wasn’t easy.

Hang on! Don’t stop reading just yet. I don’t say that to dissuade you, but I do want to give you the truth. Of course, it’s not like that for everyone but it took a minute (well several actually) for me to really get the hang of breastfeeding. So if you’re thinking of nursing, I say go for it and try these tips.

* BE PATIENT: Get this in your head right now. Even though you have the “equipment” you might not have the know-how, yet. That will change if you just take it one step at a time. I remember thinking nursing was going to be as easy as popping a breast into the mouth of a hungry baby and it would be the most wonderful, fulfilling experience in the world. That was true, but not right away. My daughter was a fussy nurser. Ultimately I had to hire a “lactation consultant” and three of us (my mother was in the mix too) would be hovering over one engorged breast, begging this baby to eat (okay, I was begging). After about a week or so, something miraculous happened; like learning the steps with a new dance partner, Casey and I figured it out and it was smooth sailing from that point on.

* FIND NURSING-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS: My favorite time to nurse my kids was at the end of the day. I was able to get completely in the moment and enjoy my baby; everyone was relaxed and it was a wonderful time of bonding. But relaxation is key and that’s hard to do when you’re trying to feed your baby in the stall of a public restroom because there’s no place else to go. Yes, I did that. Yes, it was not pleasant. So if you’re going to be out and about with baby, keep an eye out for places that have nursing friendly environments. Big department stores typically have a lounge area with comfy sofas that will work perfectly.

* PLAN AHEAD: I had to return to my life as a busy news anchor while I was still nursing and everyone knew it too. Why? Because the contraption I used to pump was ENORMOUS!  And it came in a HUGE blue, hardcover case. Once, while going through security at the airport, I had it on my shoulder and when I bent over, it fell and hit an elderly woman in the head. I was mortified because it almost knocked her out! Yes, it was that big! Thank goodness they aren’t anymore. Breast pumps today are better designed to make pumping a breeze and they’re often small enough to fit in your diaper bag so you don’t have to juggle three bags and a baby! That’s what I call convenience with a capital C!

One last tip: Don’t worry about what everyone else says about how it “should” be done. Listen to your gut, be patient and work with your baby until the two of you figure it out. You may ultimately decide that nursing isn’t for you and that’s okay too. I hope these tips help, if you do decide to give it a go.

Best of luck, mommy!

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

It's never too early to start teaching your children about responsibility.  Even young toddlers can help out around the house.  In fact, toddlerhood is a great time to start teaching kids to pick up after themselves, set the table for dinner and more, because they are very eager to help.

My two and three year old children help with the laundry by putting their own clothing into the laundry hamper each morning after getting dressed and each night after putting on their pj's.  They also help me transfer clothing from the washer to the dryer, sort and fold socks, and even drag the laundry basket to the laundry room on occasion.

While I'm preparing dinner, I have my three year old set out the silverware and napkins.  He also takes care of his dishes when meals are over.  He enjoys helping so much; he often cleans up after his sister as well.  While I'm emptying the dishwasher and after I've removed the knives from the silverware holder, his job is to put away the forks and spoons.  These things are helpful to me and they make him feel grown up and proud.

As you go about your household tasks, think about what your child may be able to help with.  At first it may seem more like hindrance than help, as they learn to master the jobs.  Just remember to be patient.  You may have to demonstrate something a few times before they pick it up.  If the task is too hard, try again in a few months.  Their motor skills may not be developed enough for certain tasks. Be consistent in your expectations. In the long run, it will pay off.  You'll not only have taught your child responsibility, but independence as well.  Your child will be confidant and have the skills they'll need to succeed on their own.

By Guest Blogger from Mommies with Cents

With children comes a lot of responsibility. Being single and having unlimited freedom is a thing of the past. No more all-night parties and last-minute trips out of town. Welcome to motherhood! Doing things for “you” will become few and far between. From changing diapers and hourly feedings, to play time and reading books, you will find that your baby will consume your whole life.

Amongst all those chores and necessities, how do you create time for yourself within all the chaos of raising kids?

• Ask for help: Family and friends are sure to want to hold your little baby, or take your little one to the park. During that time, take an hour or so and pamper yourself. Head to your favorite store and shop for yourself or even take a nap.
• Sleep when the baby sleeps: I used to think that when the baby slept, I had time to finally get things that I needed done. Wrong! I would always work away while the baby slept, and when the baby woke up I was exhausted. I finally gave into the notion that sleeping when they baby sleeps was actually a brilliant idea. I would find more energy to tackle the day when I got those extra minutes of shut eye.
• Enlist daddy with feedings: Dad loves to help and what better way than to ask him to feed the baby. If you are nursing, use a breast pump and save an extra bottle or two in the freezer. Then when you need some extra time to yourself, dad can take care of a feeding or two.

No matter what you do, make sure you take some time for yourself. Schedule one day for yourself every month. Get a pedicure or a manicure. How about an hour massage? Whatever you do, enjoy it! You deserve a much needed break and it will make you a better mommy.

By guest blogger Hollie from Real Moms Real Views

I remember when I got pregnant I constantly heard, "This is going to change your life forever."  Little did I know that I would never understand this phrase until I had my children.  There are so many things that I wish I had known (or at least understood) before having children.

1. Babies eat nonstop.  Babies eat every 2-3 hours.
2. No matter how much I clean, my house will never be clean enough or even remain clean for a minute.  Having kids means owning more stuff.  Having kids means somehow food will find its way into the oddest places.
3. Taking a shower takes on a whole new meaning.  I have learned to wash my hair, body and shave in 5 minutes time it seems like.
4. It's amazing how much parents can function on such little sleep. Being a parent means never sleeping the same way again.  Becoming a light sleeper is almost imperative as children are always on the mind.
5. The day may have been long and hard making you wish it were over, but once it's over, you can't wait to spend time with your children again.
6. Wearing bodily fluid all day (that isn't your own) becomes a norm.
7. Most importantly though, something I would have never been able to know is how much love I truly have for all of my children.  There is definitely no greater love and bond between a parent and a child.

By Guest Blogger from Mommies with Cents

Congratulations! Your baby is now here and, unbeknownst to you, he or she is incredibly talented.

Yes, you thought you were getting a run-of-the-mill kid who pooped and drooled, bestowing the occasional smile in between. Nope, not you. You gave birth to the smartest baby on the planet because he/she exited the womb knowing how to tell time. A wonderful thing, right? WRONG!  Because you’re a teacher who works 8 to 5 and your little bundle of joy keeps the hours of a hard-partying rock star, with similar vocal ability and temperament. Welcome to the world of the 3am feeding.

Of all the difficult tasks when baby first comes home, managing the 3am feeding is the toughest of all.

And as you doubtlessly know by now, you can’t even set your clock for 3am – your baby’s hunger can come on anytime between the hours of “I-just-shut-my-eyes” to “surely-it’s-not-time-to-get-up-yet.”

I remember that nocturnal time like it was yesterday; truth be told, I never understood the term “bone-weary” until I had an infant. But now, being on the other side, let me offer a few tips to make the nighttime journey more palatable. Okay forget I said that, how about just bearable? Here’s a little Good Enough Mother advice to get you through these tough times…

SLEEP WHEN YOU CAN:  You know why people say that? Because fatigue is not your friend. It colors your mood and makes you feel old and look wrinkly. That’s not a good combination. So you have to grab a wink here and there, when and where you can. The dishes can wait! Who cares if the laundry doesn’t get done today? Hubby has no clean underwear?  Have him buy more. You had high hopes for a real home cooked meal (After 17 years, my husband is still waiting on that)? It ain’t gonna happen tonight! It’s not always going to be like this, but it is for the time being. This is like battlefield triage; you will stem the bleeding but it won’t be pretty.

BE PREPARED: Listen, I didn’t spend my entire childhood as a girl scout in troop 573 and not learn a thing or two. You gotta be prepared! Have a plan, and in this case (if you’re not nursing) it’s a bottle that’s good to go. Now my kids are a little older so I didn’t have the benefit of some of the cool things they have now, but having that bottle ready made life so much easier. 

ASK FOR HELP: Okay, there will be times where doing it all is going to earn you the undying love, support and admiration of the masses. This is not one of them. Trying to do so will result in extreme fatigue and you know what that does (see above). So when your mom or mother-in-law volunteers to take the baby for a couple of hours, take them up on it! This is not the time to be a hero and truth be told, even a baby who can tell time is not going to notice you’re gone for a few hours. This is a win-win; mom or mom-in-law gets their baby fix and you get the rapid eye sleep you’ve been deprived of since the second trimester. What’s not to love about that?

So those are my three tips – but what about you? What’s worked for you so far? I’d love to hear about your experiences…

Oh and one more thing. Remember this - it doesn’t last forever. It only feels like it does.

Good luck!

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

I heart Target. Doesn’t everyone? It’s such a beautiful, peaceful place, filled with aisle after aisle of ways to fuel my nasty shopping addiction. For me, Target is retail therapy at its best. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good old fashioned mall trip when I’m feeling the blues, but the mall is filled with things that don’t fit my post-two-baby-body, and that I can’t afford. Yes, I love to shop at Target. The only issue I have with the place is their lack of daycare. I mean really, wouldn’t that be a goldmine? Until that day arrives, I’m forced to enter my favorite place in the world with two whiney toddlers in tow. Ugh. My boys are, for the most part, well-behaved. But any well-behaved child can grow a couple horns and a tail when they are forced to be buckled into a cart and simply look at all the things they want to get their hands (and mouths) on. I think I would despise the place too. The trick to avoiding this fate is to make it an enjoyable experience for all.

• Give in to popcorn - It may seem over-indulgent to buy your kids a snack just so you can go shopping, but I’m here to tell you I’m not above it. You have to ask yourself which is worse: not being able to shop without a snack in your child’s hand, or have your children continually rebel against shopping trips. I made my choice. If you are shopping at Target or other superstore, you can easily find coupons on their website or even via smart phone which make popcorn and other snacks dirt cheap, so you don’t have to feel guilty about spending the money. It only took me one instance of my son dropping a half bag of popcorn ALL OVER the aisle for me to start bringing little bowls with handles. Now when they drop it, I can manage the clean-up by myself. And don’t forget drinks/sippy cups, it doesn’t make sense to pay for drinks too.
• Better yet, eat lunch there - A lot of grocery stores in our area have great food options, even if they are a bit pricey. Target’s food is affordable and many Walmarts have McDonalds or Subways. The trip becomes more like a fun event, rather than a chore. Once properly fed your child will be a lot less likely to melt down. Just make sure it isn’t near naptime!
• Do the work at home! - Don’t wander the aisles aimlessly trying to think of something else you need. Check the circulars from your Sunday paper, or online, so you already know what is on sale. Keep a good list, then stick to it while at the store. It keeps the cost down as well! Save browsing for times when you can escape your house without the kids.
• If you are an extreme couponer- wear a backpack - You will look silly, but it makes getting in and out of the store that much easier. You can also tote anything your kid will need as well.
• Bring a friend - Who says playdates have to be at a park, your home or even the mall?  Meet for lunch, then get some shopping done while catching up and letting your kids interact from cart to cart. You might get a little more talking done than shopping, but at least you can check the essentials off your list.
• Let them help - If your child is older, let them help with a few things on the list.

By guest blogger Joanna from the Bragging Mommy