How can you feed your picky toddler some healthier snacks? A Clinton Township mom offers her trick here! Plus, find out how to fix a porcelain scratch, get laundry tips and more. 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.
Sneaky Snack Cup
For all the mothers out there that have a picky toddler, I feel your pain. Whenever my 2-year-old son is being difficult, I cut up his food into tiny pieces and put it in his special snack cup. I’ll cut up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a knife – or even a whole dinner including chicken, carrots and peas. His particular snack cup has a sticker on it so he can’t see ahead of time what’s in there. Works like a charm.
– Kari Zaffarano, mom of one, Clinton Township
Sink Scratch, Solved
What do you do when, while cleaning your metal cat litter scoop, you scratch your porcelain bathroom sink? A) Cry. B) Curse yourself for cleaning it in the bathroom vs. utility sink. C) Google “how to fix porcelain scratch.” D) All of the above. I’m not proud to say that, in my case, the answer was D. But I am happy to report that Google didn’t fail me. With just a few shakes of Bon Ami cleanser and a cotton rag, the unsightly scratch was undetectable. So, the next time you scuff your tub, sink or any other porcelain surface, get Bon Ami. It truly is a good friend.
– Julia Elliott
Underwear, Unite!
Instead of doing the whole family’s laundry together in one day, take turns by sorting mom’s, dad’s and kids’ separately – but do everyone’s underwear together, so nobody goes without clean underpants. Now that clothes are sorted by person, start with who needs it the most. Take it a day at a time or two loads each time. This makes folding and putting away a lot easier than taking your weekend away.
– Cintia Lanton, mom of one, Detroit
Toddler Toy Trading
It never fails. My 3-year-old grabs a long-abandoned toy, and then my 2-year-old suddenly MUST have it, too. After pleading with them to share and take turns, just to stop the crying, I’ve learned to put the solution in their little hands. I tell the child that wants the toy to find something else to trade his/her sibling for – and it works! The kids learn how to negotiate with each other, fight less and bring far fewer problems to mom to referee. Win, win, win.
– Jennifer Mysza, mom of Grayson and Lauren, Franklin
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.
Photo by Lauren Jeziorski
