It seems like just yesterday you were bringing your little ones home from the hospital, and now, the in-house toy inventory is so extensive that you can’t really remember whether your living room even had furniture. Whether you have one child or four, the clutter can quickly seem insurmountable. Stimulation is important for children to learn and develop, but so is accessibility and order. Minimize the kid clutter in your home with these handy tips.

1. Seasonal Rotations

If you took a detailed inventory of the clutter in your home, you’d probably realize that a good percentage is made up of items you’re currently not using. During the summer you’ll want bikes, trikes, and wiffle bats readily accessible.  During the winter you’ll want shovels and sleds at the ready. When items are out of season store them out of the way in attics, basements, storage units or garages.

Resist the temptation to just thr

ow stuff in a box and put it away; if you won’t use it within a year the chances are you don’t need to keep it at all. Being thoughtful as you pack will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the long run. As you make this a regular practice in your home, your children should naturally start to learn how to edit their possessions on their own. This is a great time to work with your kids on making choices between what to keep and what to get rid of. Especially in their first few years, kids outgrow toys almost as quickly as they acquire them, so find a way to define how much is too much.

2. Open Cubbies

Once you’ve pared down the quantity of stuff (yours and theirs) you can start finding homes for everything. The toy basket quickly becomes the catchall for everything on the floor. Not only does it overfill, but your kids can’t actually find anything inside without dumping it all out. When the kids dump out the entire basket, you eventually step on a block or a toy car. When you step on a tiny toy (barefoot, of course) you will get grumpy.

The solution? Replace your toy bin with one or two long, short shelves with individual cubbies along the walls. Make sure they’re short enough for your kids to ea

sily access the top cubbies.

3. Pull-Out Shelves

Stacking toys is like a weak bandage for solving clutter. Pull-out shelves are open drawers, and they make perfect storage spaces for things like puzzles, board games and other relatively flat toys. Limit one type of game, puzzle etc. to each drawer and show your child how to slide the drawers out and back. Not only will this create space, it also allows your child to access her favorite items without toppling over a small tower.

4. Mounted Book Rack

A mounted or free standing book rack, like those used in the kids’ section of the library, lets you store books with the entire front cover facing out. The flat structure of the rack lets it f
5. Kid Friendly Clothing Storageit neatly against the wall and the front-cover display position lets your child to choose and replace books, without pulling out have the contents of the bookshelf.

It’s hard to keep mittens, flip-flops and outerwear together between the seasons. Storing these items in bins, and on child-height clothing pegs, makes it easier for everyone to get out the door. Sort the items among several small storage units, with one for mittens, one for socks, one for hats etc. Ask your child to help you make pictures for each container and tape the picture on the front. Install several clothing pegs, or an entire rack, at your child’s height. This keeps the coats and sweaters from piling up on the floor, or on a single peg that only an adult can reach.

6. Art Gallery

Find a designated, limited space to display artwork and other achievements your k

ids create or bring home. It could be a French memo board style, magnet bulletin board, cork board or some other solution. Whatever you choose, be sure you clean it out frequently and carefully save a few precious pieces for posterity.

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Today was a typical day. Woke up, got dressed and went to work. My only concern was the upcoming weekend of fence building. (Too mad mother nature seems to have other plans!) I’m not going to lie, hiding inside from the rain sounds like a good weekend in my books.

But then, hiding in my inbox was a link to an eye opening blog post.

Written by a dad, it was his story dealing with his wife’s battle with breast cancer.

It got me thinking… what the hell would I do if that was me? What if it was CleverMom? How would I handle it? How would I keep it together, for my wife, and the girls? What is a man supposed to do when he feels completely helpless?

Its a sobering thought, and something I hope I never have to experience.

I encourage you to check out Jim’s post and give your wife and your kids an extra hug tonight.

So please, check out Jim’s post, being a husband and father when your wife has breast cancer.

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I follow almost 30 mom and dad blogs. Every day my RSS reader is stuffed full of awesome posts. Some of them are informative, and others thought provoking or just down right hilarious.

So I’ve decided to start a weekly roundup posts that I’ve found helpful or entertaining. Every friday I will dig through Google Reader and highlight posts from other mom or dad bloggers.

Lets take a look at what our friends on other great parenting blogs have been working on for the past week. Here are 4 links that caught my eye, and hopefully you’ll enjoy them as much as I did!

1. 10 People Who Make Parenting Harder – As if being a parent isn’t hard enough, there is always someone out there looking to foil your plans!
2. How to Commit the Perfect Toy Murder – Every parent has that one toy that they loathe. Make it ‘disappear’ with the perfect plan.
3. Today I Thought Twice About Killing – A dad gets a new love for our creepy, crawling, little friends.
4. Bra Shopping With Daddy - If you have a daughter, this will be you. How to handle the challenges of raising daughters like a pro.

So what are you waiting for? Why are you still reading this? Go on, check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

And for all you mom or dad bloggers out there, I’m always looking for new blogs to follow. Follow me on twitter and send me a link to your blog and you could see your next post on the weekly roundup!

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3. How to be a Great Dad – Mega List!

Have you ever stopped to think about how many different roles we have as dads? Some are fun, and some are serious. But in the end, they are all important and being a dad means we are more than happy to do these jobs… even if they pay stinks.

Architect

Once Little A was old enough to play with lego, I became lead designer and builder of towers, bridges, and whatever else popped into her little mind. This is great because I love playing with lego, and Little A likes to smash things. Its win, win.

But after a while, my basic tower design were not enough. She demanded more elaborate towers. Her appetite for bigger and better towers turned into a battle against myself to constant approve and innovate until we reached the structural limits of lego as a pointy multicolored shower of plastic crashed to the floor.

Fashion Consultant

CleverMom is very particular in what she wants the girls to wear. This is usually fine as she picks out the girl’s clothes 90% of the time. But when she is busy, or isn’t home it’s up to dad.

If it was up to me I would close my eyes, reach into their dresser and pull out the first shirt and pair of pants I touch. According to my wife this is wrong. Very very wrong. You see, CleverMom is a clothing freak when it comes to the girls. She has her favorite outfits, not so favorite outfits, and what the hell were you thinking outfits.

With so much pressure and judgment over picking the ‘wrong’ pink shirt, or the jeans with the purple flower over the pair with no flower, I’ve had to adapt and overcome my fashion blindness. So what do I do? Keep it simple. Now is not the time to get fancy. And if the wife disapproves of my choice, I blame it on Little A. (Don’t look at me, she picked the purple skirt and red sweater!)

Art Critic

Sooner or later your kids will wanting to draw color on every piece of paper within reach. (If you’re lucky, this will be the only thing they color on.)

So you buy them a pack of crayons and a stack of paper. Finally, something quiet they can do on their own and keep them in one place for more than 10 minutes. But there is a catch. Your kids will show you every piece of art and expect you to comment and know exactly what they drew. “That’s a nice… house?” “It’s a kitty, daddy!”

Even if you can’t tell if it’s an elephant or a penguin, appreciate it for what it is…. Art.

Professional Wrestler

Trying to change a shitty diaper on a flailing baby is physically exhausting. Pinning their legs with one arm. Pulling off the diaper with the other. Cleaning their butt with your foot. And eventually fastening the diaper with your teeth.

And then there is trying to put pajamas on a cranky toddler! It’s like holding onto a pissed off cat. They will scale over your shoulders, hang off your legs, and contort their bodies in ways that defies all logic.

After having quite a few heated pajama battles with Little A, I am confident to say that I could even put pajamas on Hulk Hogan if I had to.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends using the buttons on the left! I hear every time a post is shared, a stray dog finds a home…

Photos: Chunker & Ninja M

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A couple weeks ago at work I received a call. It was Little A. This wasn’t out of the ordinary as my wife usually lets her call me once in a while. Usually the phone call consisted of Little A rambling on about what she had for breakfast or where the cat was sleeping.

But not this time.

I picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

There was no happy, go lucky two and a half year old voice on the other side of the phone like usual. All I could hear was whimpering and the odd sniffle. Then between the sniffling a little voice peaked out.

“I miss you dad, please come home.”

Instant my heart sank. It was the first time Little A was truly sad. She wasn’t crying because someone took her toy, or that she didn’t want chicken for dinner. It was genuine.

The conversation continued.

“I love you dad, I don’t want you to work anymore.”

Now my heart felt like it was being steamrolled into a pancake. Its amazing how a few words can have such an impact when they come from your children.

I told Little A that daddy needs to stay at work and I would play with her when I got home. And after a reluctant “Okay…”  the phone call ended.

This was probably my most heartbreaking moment as a dad. It was the first time my child truly missed me, and was able to express it. She wasn’t just crying or playing strange. Its times like this that makes you take a step and realize your kids are growing up fast.

Too fast.

Have you experienced a moment like this? How did you handle your kids growing into actual little humans?

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Its been 45 minutes of constant kicking and screaming. Your angry, frustrated, and about 5 minutes away from your own meltdown. You’ve handled your fair share of temper tantrums, but this time takes the cake.

Why? Because you told your two and half year old that if she sticks her fork down her pants at the dinner table one more time, you are going to take it away. (I wish I was making this up…)

Could this temper tantrum have been prevented? Maybe. But the fact that Little A decided to skip her afternoon nap made things about 10 times worse.

In order to understand how to prevent temper tantrums, you must first learn why kid throw temper tantrums… Young Grasshopper.

Most Common Reasons Why Kids Tantrum

• Hungry
• Bored
• Tired
• Angry
• Lack of attention
• Hearing the word “no”

Once you’ve figured out the why, preventing temper tantrums becomes much easier.

• Are your kids out of routine today?
• Late meals?
• Skipped naps?
• Is there another child annoying the crap out of yours?
• Has your attention been elsewhere for far too long?

Ask yourself these questions and plan ahead. Pack snacks, avoid unusually late meals. Don’t skip naps whenever possible. Take notice of potential feuds between siblings and friends like that one toy that no one ever plays with yet today everyone is willing to fight to the death for it! Of course you all want the blue truck, the other cars are just pieces of junk, right?

Stick to a consistent routine. This is by far the biggest tip of all. Everything runs smoother when your kids know what to expect. And you’ll soon find your little rebels will be a little less rebellious.

Whats your secret weapon against tempter tantrums?

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I came across quite the blog post from Andra at The Domestic Project. Andra proves that Mother’s Day is more than just jewellery, flowers, and over priced cards.

A quote from the post:

the reason I’m struggling with this decision is because what I really want, what would truly fill my soul are things that are impossible to buy. And no, I’m not talking about “world peace”. I’m talking about real, pressing, important matters that any mother would kill to have.

What is Andra talking about? Well head on over to the Domestic Project and read what mom’s REALLY want for mother’s day!

I’m still going to play it safe and buy something for my wife. Some how I think telling her, “Sorry I didn’t get you anything, money can’t but want you anyways!” will work.

What are you getting your wife for mother’s day?

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I decided to do a review on the worlds most famous teething toy, Sophie the Giraffe.

Why? Well Sophie and I have a bit of a special bond. Yup. She was one of the first toys bought for Little A two and half years ago and has been around for my entire fatherhood career. We go way back!

Being over 50 years old, this little french giraffe has been stuffed in more drooly mouths then I even want to imagine.

Made from all natural paints and rubber, Sophie the giraffe is the perfect teething toy to sooth achy gums.

Sophie first showed up at our house two and a half years ago and has been going strong ever since. She has survived the wrath of Little A and her gaggle of friends and is now in the grubby hands of Little C. Sophie the Giraffe has been thrown, covered in mud, chocolate, and chewed on like a piece of beef jerky.

The only physical scars we’ve noticed so far was Sophie’s paint is beginning to wear and crack. Not bad for the abuse she has taken.

I only have one warning. Much like her life size cousins, Sophie the giraffe is not a good swimmer. Keep her from being submerged in water or she might lose her once loud, screechy voice. But that might not be a bad thing!

If you’re in the market for a durable, safe teething toy, Sophie the Giraffe
is up for the challenge!

Affiliate Disclosure

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Unless your toddler is a freak of nature, they will throw tantrums. Lots of tantrums. Depending on how you handle a tantruming toddler will have an effect on the noise level, duration, and frequency of future tantrums. So close Facebook, put the coffee down and lets figure out how to handle a temper tantrums like a champ.

How to handle temper tantrums like a champ

1. Remove the child from situation. She’ll be kicking and screaming so protective gear is recommended but optional. Protect your vital assets, you know, eyes, throat, manhood.
2. Give your child a chance to rethink their tantrum. Warn her that her excessive behavior will not be tolerated. Give her the choice to stop now, or face the pit…err appropriate disciplinary measure. Now your child is at a crossroad. She can take the sunny path back to playtime or the twisty, pot hole ridden road to discipline. In my experience, toddlers always choose the hard way. Must be the thrill of the fight or something, but at least you can say you gave them the option.
3. Now that we removed your tantruming toddler from the situation, where do we stuff her? In our house we have a small empty hallway. Find a similar place that is out of the way (but not hidden) and safe.
4. Walk away. That’s right, walk away. Don’t stoop to their level and start yelling at them to stop, smarten up, or whatever. Just carry on with whatever you were doing before. Don’t let her break your mojo. This is the hardest step by far. Once the daddy rage juices start to flow, it’s easy to blow up and make a crappy situation…crappier.
5. If you followed the steps up until now, you should eventually hear the tantrum fading. Why? Well its simple. Kids are performers. They aren’t in it for fun, money, or fame. Their main goal with a tantrum is to get you to fold quicker than superman on laundry day.
6. Once the tantrum and ringing in your ears stop, sit down with your child to talk. Get down to her level and explain why tantrums are unacceptable. Keep it calm, but firm. Try to get her to explain why she was throwing a tantrum. Tell her it’s okay to be angry, we all get angry. But instead of blowing up like a bomb, next time she should use her words, find mom or dad, or scream into a pillow.
7. Wipe away the sweat and tears (from both of you) and carry on. Don’t forget the celebratory fist to the sky as you have just conquered the tantrum. Booya!

The most important thing to keep in mind when trying to handle temper tantrums is to not make the situation any worse. A toddler in tantrum mode is like a fire and trying to reason with a tantruming toddler is like throwing gas on the fire!

How do you handle temper tantrums?

If you enjoyed the post or found it helpful, please share! It’ll take only seconds of your time, and I will give you a cookie…

Photos courtesy of: striatic & p.gordon

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Ah, the pacifier (or as I tend to call it, the scream plug). I owe my sanity to this little hunk of plastic. But with toddlers and parents so dependent on it, how do you get rid of the pacifier without a fuss? Notice how I mentioned parents? We are pacifier junkies just like our toddlers. From this point forward there will never be an anti whining mechanism so effective until maybe their first cell phone…

So how do we wean our toddlers off of using a pacifier? The even bigger question is how do you do it while keeping your sanity?

1. Start making rules as to when and where your toddler can have their pacifier. Most smokers won’t quite cold turkey, so why treat your pacifier junkie any different? What we’ve started with Little A is that there is no pacifier while she is playing, in the vehicle, pretty much anywhere besides her bed or the couch. As long as we are consistent and enforce the law of the land, her pacifier addiction has been reduced significantly. This tip is important as it can easily turn any attempts of getting rid of the pacifier into a success or miserable failure.
2. Give the pacifiers to a younger sibling. Toddlers usually enjoy helping with their younger siblings. Instead of getting rid of the pacifiers, talk to your toddler. Explain that not having a pacifier is part of being a big boy or big girl and their younger sibling would love to have their pacifier. Who knows, your toddler’s desire to not be treated like a baby could be all the convincing they need!
3. Blame it on the dog. Probably not the most tactful way of getting rid of the pacifier, but it can still be effective depending on the child. Some kids are fine with accepting their pacifier is just…gone. Not Little A though. That was a long night…
4. Tell them stores no longer sell pacifiers. Explain that once their pacifiers are lost or worn out then that’s it. Sorry! The store doesn’t sell pacifiers anymore sweetie, I know, that is weird. But what can you do?
5. Keep cutting the nipple shorter until there is nothing left. This seems like an odd science experiment but I threw it in anyway. Its hard to suck on a pacifier when there is nothing left but a nub of plastic. And by then, hopefully your toddler will be fed up with their crappy pacifier that they’ll be more than happy to chuck it out.
6. Gather up the pacifiers to mail to the ‘tooth fairy’. When I first thought of this idea I wasn’t convinced it would work, honestly. But after mulling over it for a while I’d say this could be one of the most effective ways to get rid of the pacifier. Have your toddler gather up all of their pacifiers. Put them in a envelope or box. Address the package to the tooth fairy, and send it away! Make a big deal out of it and explain that once the tooth fairy has received their pacifiers, she’ll know when its time to start checking for baby teeth under their pillow! If your toddler doesn’t know who the tooth fairy is, pick someone else to mail the pacifiers to. Less fortunate kids? The pacifier clean up guy that comes once a month? Whatever works!

It’s a good thing toddlers are gullible!

How did you get rid of the pacifier without causing nuclear war?

Photo Courtesy of: Agent Smith

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