Since my extended family lives so far away, the holidays always mean we get to spend a full travel day on either side of a visit. Speaking of lessons learned the hard way, I have had my fair share of air travel experiences and would like to impart my wisdom with you so that you can make all of your own mistakes!

Always bring enough diapers. During a flight, conventional wisdom might tell you to be spare in your packing or that your child only uses four diapers in a normal day. Well, flying days are not normal days. I suggest you pack one diaper per hour of travel time. Better safe than sorry. Trust me.

Pack the right toys. You want to have enough activities and toys to entertain your children but not so many that you bring a separate suitcase.  Multi-use toys are good. Games without pieces (like I spy or “what’s that in the SkyMall catalog”) are awesome. Toys that look like a bomb-making kit (play doh and some bendy wires for instance) are bad. See Debbie at DeliciousBaby and her fantastic travel toy ideas to spur your thinking.

Expect the unexpected. What’s unexpected? Earaches, teething, and crankiness in your otherwise-healthy child (so pack baby pain relief); pee accidents or spills from your potty-trained four year old (so pack pull-ups and jammie bottoms as back-ups); reading a magazine or napping for you (sorry, can’t help ya!)

Bribe the people sitting around you. Dole out apologies and free drinks in advance.

By realigning your expectations that the travel day is a means to an end -- an adventure to endure -- you are more likely to be pleased when there are only 3 crying fits and one missed nap rather than stressed-out.

By Heather from rookiemoms.com

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Heather and Whitney blog frequently at rookiemoms.com (always more fun than wiping someone’s tushy!) and 510families.com (more fun with kids in the East Bay). They love taking trips and eating dark chocolate.

I don't know anyone who hasn't had to "cut back" in some way or another with the economy being the way that it is.  I'm very fortunate to still be able to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom, but I've had to stay on a budget to have that luxury.  I've always been frugal (or just plain out cheap), so this hasn't been a stretch for me.  To understand how much you spend, you really need to sit down and write it all down.  You will then be able to wrap your head around where all of your money goes and you can decide what is necessary and what isn't.

One of the biggest expenses is food.  If you have a baby, making your own baby food is the best way to save money.  You can use a blender if you don't have a food processor and chop up the fruits and veggies that you're preparing for your meals.  Bananas are the easiest to make, simply smash them up with a fork.  Not only is it cheaper, but it’s healthier.
 
Cutting coupons is a great idea, but you need to remember to use them. I used to clip coupons like crazy, just to forget to use them when I was checking out.  I usually only buy items when they are BOGO (buy one, get one free), or deeply discounted.  I now use websites that tell me which coupons to pair with those sales and I get them for a few dollars, free, or sometimes I make a profit.  Grocery stores also discount their meat right before they are going to expire; I buy it and throw it in the freezer.  The key to buying things only when they are on sale is to know what is in your pantry.  Be sure to check often, otherwise you will forget that you bought something and it might go bad before you get the chance to use it.

Check store clearance racks often.  One of my favorite stores updates their clearance selection on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so I run by on Thursday mornings while my son is in preschool. I was able to score some awesome Christmas gifts (including toys) this summer for up to 75% off.

Seasonal products go on clearance at the end of that season.  The end of summer is my favorite because I stock up on adorable children's outfits, shoes, swimsuits, pools, pool toys, etc for 75-90% off.  We spend our summers in the water, so it is better for me to buy those items at deep discount in August instead of at full price in May.

 
Don't forget to save whenever you can.  You never know when you'll need to buy something that wasn't expected, or have a repair expense of some sort.  If you continue to save, you'll also be able to "splurge" occasionally for fun items or activities for your family.

 
There are many great deals out there if you keep an eye out and start buying ahead of time.  Even if you find a great deal, don't buy it if you don't need it.  It is so hard for me resist a good deal, but I'd go broke if I bought every bargain I came across.  Living on a budget can take a lot of planning, but having the extra money is definitely worth it.

From guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind

I wish I could get someone else to potty train my child. There. I said it. It might be my very least favorite part of parenting. I’m so grateful that the peer pressure potty training technique of my sons’ preschool has been so successful. It seems that nothing can motivate a toddler like the opportunity to sit on the potty with his friends – AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ROOM! Placing three little bums on three little potties in a row is genius in my book.

If only the preschool staff made house-calls to deal with the overnight situations or the out-and-about errands. Oh well, I guess I have to conquer some of these tasks on my own.

Here are 5 universal truths about potty training I’ve gleaned from my half-hearted participation in the toilet education of my own children.

You can lead a toddler to the toilet, but you can’t make her pee.
Yes, I have observed that children do it when they’re ready. It will never be on my own time-table, and I’m a control freak, so this one really hurts

When you ask, “Do you have to pee?” most children will lie to you.

I have asked this very question seconds before my child has wet himself in the car seat and on the couch. Ugh and ugh.

Sweatpants are your friend.
For quick potty runs, it helps toddlers to have pants they can pull up and down on their own-- and quickly.

Candy and stickers will only get you so far.
I am not above bribing my child for the desired result, although I do think we need to be careful not to throw a parade for every deposit in the toilet. (When does it end?  Will they ask their Kindergarten teachers for M&Ms? Their college roommates?) Wishing for a one-size-fits-all approach, I have been dis

appointed to learn that some personality types love the sticker chart and candy bribes while others could care less.

The range of normal is broad.
Wondering when your child will stop needing diapers at night? I just learned that between age 3 and 7 is considered normal. That’s pretty wide open, but should offer you some comfort if you find yourself tossing a package of pull-ups into your shopping cart for the same kid who correctly read “Gun Show Coming Soon” from a highway billboard

My only real tip after my battle-scarred journey down the potty training path is to offer opportunity and don’t force the issue. Children can smell your anxiety and pressure and they rebel against it.

Do you have any tips or lessons learned to share?

By Heather from rookiemoms.com

[photo credit: Child Care Learning, Ontario]

I can count on one hand the number of times my husband and I have had a date night sans children in the past three years. In the midst of sleep training, diapers, and meltdowns, it's too easy for the weeks and months to go by without some alone time as a couple.  But like any relationship, tim

e and communication are vital for growth and renewal.  Here is some inspiration for securing regular date nights:

Make a schedule and stick to it. While I realize how unromantic it seems, we'd likely never have a date night if it wasn't on the calendar.  Scheduling date nights ensures we have child care and allows us to make reservations, pre-order show tickets, or any other prep necessary to make the most of our night.  Blocking those nights off also gives us something to look forward to and ensures that this time together does not take a back seat when life gets busy.

Make a trade with another couple.  For some families, the cost of child care prohibits regular date nights.  Offer to take turns babysitting for another couple so that each of you can enjoy a night out together every other month.  Not only will you save money, you'll develop and deepen a friendship with another family.

Make it a night in.  If finding child care is simply too difficult or expensive, commit to regular date nights while the kids are sleeping.  Regularly pencil in a date to spend time with your spouse.  Whether it's playing board games, watching a movie, cooking a special dinner, or simply engaging in a long conversation, these moments to reconnect will do wonders for your relationship.

Make it memorable.  And by memorable, I don't mean expensive. This is your opportunity to reconnect as a couple, so decide together how you will spend your time away from your kids.  Some of our best date nights didn't involve lavish dinners or swanky hotels but rather conversations into the early m

orning or snuggling with hot chocolate and a movie at home. Take a long walk, explore a new museum, work on a project together...the possibilities are endless.

Make your spouse the priority.  I'm guilty of stealing every moment I'm away from my kids to catch up on housework, errands and life. Be sure to preserve this time of togetherness by committing to focus this time on your spouse.  Before your scheduled time away, talk about how you'll deal with distractions that threaten to get in the way of your time together.

Date nights are like fuel for your relationship.  Regular time together will improve your relationship with each other and your relationship with your children.  This commitment to each other also sets an example for your children as they begin to learn about relationships.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama

My kids are 1 and 3 and are extremely jealous of each other.  My aunt was in town last week and had to laugh because both get so much attention, but they are still so jealous.  If I'm doing anything with Isabella, Evan comes right over and either does the same thing she is doing or just makes sure to get in my line of vision.

It has really been like this from the day my little girl was born.  Evan loves his sister so much and has always showered her with hugs and kisses, but I guess he still feels like he should get all of the attention.  I did understand because I was breastfeeding and infants just require a lot of one on one time.  I made sure to play with him every time that she was napping(there is no sleeping when the baby sleeps if you have more than one child).

Isabella is now 1 and recently started showing that she was jealous at times.  Both kids have started acting out more when they feel they need attention which can be a little annoying.  I try to either ignore them or calmly tell them that isn't the way to act.  Giving them attention for negative behavior doesn't' fix anything.  I make sure to take a few minutes here and there to do fun activities that involve just one of the kids.  It can be as simple as pushing trucks around the floor with Evan or pushing Isabella on the swing.

We try to do many things together as a family, but as they get older, I see that the kids benefit from occasionally taking time to do separate activities.  I recently took my son to see a movie while my daughter and husband played at home.  A few weeks before that my husband took my son to the river while I took my daughter to the park.

It isn't always about how much time you should spend with each separate child, what you're doing during your "alone" time is what matters.  I notice a big difference in my kids if they've recently had some fun one-on-one time with mommy and daddy-even if it was a 5 minute activity.  Sibling jealousy is completely normal, but it helps to do simple activities to show each of them that mommy and daddy will always have time for them.

By guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind

Cleaning with kids can be fun and it can be taxing too. I have two children, one that is easy to please and very compliant, and another that fights me tooth and nail on just about everything. So I have tips on how to get children to clean, the easy child and the difficult one!

Sing the cleanup song together. The cleanup song or any other song you want to make up. Singing makes the work go by faster, makes them think of something other than the task, and encourages them to know they are doing a good job.

Make cleaning up a contest. You and your child can race each other to see who can get the most picked up the fastest. Not sure I would recommend this if you have two children; I don’t like pitting one child against another even in fun.

Be energetic about cleaning up. Again, give cleaning up the feeling of a game. Make it fun. Be a good example to your children, if they see Mommy or Daddy having a fun time doing the chores then they will want to help.

Have patience. Cleaning with kids is going to take twice as long as doing it yourself. My biggest weakness is not letting my daughter help me clean. I just want to get it done, but letting her help teaches her responsibility and makes her happy. Also, try to have patience when it’s not going well. I admit that I’m quick to start yelling. Yelling just makes things worse, I tell you that from experience.

Finally, the one sure fire thing I’ve been able to say to get my son to clean is, “If you do not pick that up right now it’s going in the trash.” “No Mommy, don’t throw it away”, he grabs it and hides it in the abyss known as his room. The house is a work in progress; I’ll get him to clean his room before he’s 18 I promise.

By guest blogger, Louise Bishop, MomStart

I'm sure you've heard of the expression, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". It couldn't be more true. I often find myself trying to be "Super Mom", but by the end of the day, I'm more like "Grumpy Mom". Even the best moms need a little bit of time to themselves so they don't go crazy.

Some moms require a little more "Me Time" than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. I often take an hour during naps to eat lunch by myself and watch a show that is meant for audiences over the age of 5. I really enjoy having my kids close by all the time and don't really need a whole lot of time to myself. I actually get cranky if I spend more than a few hours away from my kids - weird, huh?

Even though I absolutely love hanging out with my kids, I do have my meltdowns. Sometimes I can feel that I'm getting close to a breaking point and as soon as my husband gets home I'll get him to watch the kids while I take a bubble bath and read a book. Usually I feel much better in just a matter of 30 minutes which makes for a much more patient mommy.

All moms should take a little time here or there to do something that they enjoy. Finding a way to get some time to yourself can be challenging, but it really will help you be the best mom possible. In addition to adult interaction, moms also need a little time to themselves without kids hanging from their arms and legs. You don't have to be "Super Mom", taking just a few minutes to yourself will benefit your whole family.

By guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind

While we're fortunate to live in a city that gets at least 325 sunny or partially sunny days a year, this is not the norm in most parts of the country.  This winter has been surprisingly wet, and trying to keep a 3 year old entertained for the day has put my creativity to the test. While movies are a feasible option, many children will only sit for so long, particularly if they're used to running, jumping, and playing. 

Here are some of my tried and true activities for keeping a young child entertained on a rainy day.

Rediscover your library: From time to time, we'll get into a pattern of reading the same books over and over, leaving an entire library undiscovered.  Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to pull out those books that have been gathering dust on your shelves.  Rather than simply reading those books, why not act them out or retell them with new endings you've created?

Pull out those puzzles and games: Invite neighborhood friends over and make it a playdate.  For a unique twist, make up new rules.  Don't forget to use this opportunity to help your child learn through play.  Many games teach colors, numbers, social skills and more.

Dress up!:  Whether it's donning those fall Halloween costumes, dressing up in pre-made costumes, or creating your own with clothes you already have, dressing up is a fun, imaginative way to spend the day.  Once you've gotten into character, play a game or tell a story in costume.

Explore the baker within you: Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to try out that new recipe you've been wanting to experiment with.  If you'd rather not bake from scratch, cookie kits and store-bought cake mixes work well, particularly for smaller tots who may not have the attention span for an all-out baking project.

Get the wiggles out:  Just because it's raining doesn't mean you have to stay home.  Head to your local museum (many have free days) or play space to learn, discover and play.

Get crafting:  I try to have a supply of crafting materials on hand for those days when we're stuck indoors.  Think outside the box...beyond coloring and painting.  Perhaps you can work on a simple woodworking project or paper mache.

Be smart about video games:  Gone are the days of mindlessly zoning out on video games.  Today's gaming technology gets kids off the couch and moving with fun fitness games.  You can also play family games and educational games.

Rainy days don't have to dampen your mood.  You're only limited by your imagination. Spending some time indoors allows your family to regroup, reconnect, and catch up on some much needed down time.  And when all else fails, don those rain boots and a brolly and stomp in a few puddles.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama

We had just started trying when we got pregnant with our first.  I really thought it would take more time and hadn't really thought of how we were going to announce to our families that we were expecting.  I ended up calling my mom not long after I took that first pregnancy test because I was a basket of nerves.  We also simply called my husbands parents, which wasn't much fun either.

 
I could still kick myself for not having a creative way of telling them that I was pregnant with their first grandchild.  My mom kept it a secret from my brother and sister so I could be a little more creative with them.  I happened to find out I was pregnant with both of my kids right around Thanksgiving which makes a surprise announcement that your pregnant so much easier.  We got them Christmas ornaments that had "Aunt Grace" and "Uncle Derrick" on them.  While decorating the tree, I gave them those ornaments to put on the tree.  They both looked at us wondering if this was a joke as a "gift" from our dog, or if I was in fact pregnant.

 
When I started trying for our second, I bought our oldest a shirt that read, "I'm gonna be a big brother".  When we found out we were pregnant, we put the shirt on him when we were going to either of the grandparents' houses.  I asked my mom to take his jacket off of him and she started crying when she read his shirt.  We did the same with my husband's family.  It was a much better way to tell them than a simple phone call.

 
We'll soon try for #3 and I'm already thinking of fun ways to tell our families this time.  I'd love to hear your ideas, but if you're not quite sure how to break the news, here are a few other ideas that friends have done.
 

-When at the next family gathering, tell them you'll bring the dessert.  Make the announcement in icing on top of your dessert.

-Give them a copy of the ultrasound picture with an attached note saying "coming in ___"

-Purchase new coffee mugs, shirts, key chains, etc that say "grandma, grandpa, uncle, aunt, etc".

-Show up to the next gathering with a "Baby On Board" t-shirt.

-Make an invitation that says "You are invited to the birth of your ____(child, grandchild, etc)"
 

Coming up with something creative always makes for better stories and it will be a moment that your loved ones will never forget.  Sure, you could be like me and ruin the surprise with a phone call, but announcing that you're pregnant only happens a few times, so you might as well make it fun.

- By guest blogger TwoofaKindWorkingOnAFullHouse

I was very strategic about introducing foods to both of my children.  I knew that getting them to eat  and like vegetables at an early age was the goal.  Taste preferences are shaped very early and the window for introducing foods is small.


In those early months of pureed peas, I already sensed that getting my son to eat vegetables would be a challenge.  I would often do things like give him a spoon of fruit and then veggies, mix the fruit with the veggies, or even hide the veggies in the fruit. As he got older, and savvier, he would pick out the vegetables he could see, which meant I couldn't hide them anymore.


Several weeks ago, a friend and I were out to dinner with our kids. We were at the same restaurant, but our children ate completely different meals.  At one point she asked me how I get my son to eat healthy foods, including vegetables.

Here are just a few simple ways we've managed to teach our children to eat vegetables without force, threats, or deception (although, we may have bribed him a few times!).


1.  Start Early!  Taste preferences are shaped very early in life.  Consider starting your baby on vegetables rather than the traditional rice cereal or fruit.  If you want to get a head start, eat a wide variety of vegetables during pregnancy and while you're nursing so the flavors are familiar to your baby. 

2.  Be Persistent!  According to Dr. Greene, it takes 6-10 attempts for a baby to develop a preference for a new flavor.  Most parents stop before this and assume their baby (or child) doesn't like the food they introduced.  I gave my son the same vegetables day after day when he was a baby to truly determine if it was something he did or didn't like.

3.  Role Model!  Since dinner is the only meal we all sit down together for, we used that time as an opportunity to role model the types of foods we wanted our son to eat.  Once he was old enough to eat food from our plate, we'd give him little pieces of our veggies.

4.  Educate!  We read books about vegetables to my son, bought him plush toy vegetables to play and learn with, and occasionally popped in a video with kids and characters eating vegetables.  It's important to start educating children early on about the importance of eating vegetables while creating a positive image surrounding them. 

5.  Give Options!  As my son got older, we began asking him what vegetables he wanted for a meal.  We give him some freedom and guidance when it comes to selecting those vegetables.  My son is more wiling to eat veggies when he is given some autonomy. 

6.  Get them involved!  Whether it's planting a garden, selecting veggies at the grocery store or helping to season them, my son is more willing to eat them when he's been involved.  

7.  Get creative!  Animals, smiley faces, shapes and more...there is no limit to the number of creative way to serve up vegetables.  Use a cookie cutter to make vegetable shapes, whip up some fun (and healthy) dips, and get your kids excited about eating their veggies.

Getting your children to eat their veggies doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a little patience and creativity, you may just be able to instill a lifelong love of vegetables in your children.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama