Parent Hacks http://www.parenthacks.com/ Smart parenting tips from the real experts: actual parents en-US 2012-02-23T07:33:53-08:00 This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use. The parenting book I was meant to write http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/parenthacks/~3/AS7v0mgm3LM/parenting-book.html I'm thrilled to announce that Christine Koh and I are co-authoring a parenting book which will be published next year.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=803a4dd9466fc84950882f4a59d6831a&p=1"><img alt="" style="border: 0;" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=803a4dd9466fc84950882f4a59d6831a&p=1"/></a> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://tags.bluekai.com/site/5148"/><img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:n1cy22q&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3"/> Wonder Twin powers...ACTIVATE!My dear friend and philosophical Wonder Twin Christine Koh approached me with a remarkable idea: to collaborate on a book that would help parents navigate the exciting -- but dizzying -- array of choices today. To suggest a model that would uncover each family's unique prescription for reducing overwhelm and increasing joy.

Not only was I was incredibly honored by Christine's invitation, it happened at the moment my parenting experience had begun to crystallize into an arc I could recognize. Everything I've learned from my years with Parent Hacks --and my kids-- screamed YES.

I'm so excited to tell you that our book, Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More By Doing Less, will be published by Boston-based Bibliomotion next year.

If you've read Parent Hacks for a while, you'll know the irony of writing a parenting book isn't lost on me. I started Parent Hacks over six years ago as an alternative to the "expert" parenting books that left me feeling so unsure of myself as a new mother. This book is so very exciting because it's all about how to find your own parenting "right."

There is much more of this story to tell, and, in the coming months, we will. But for now, I just want to thank you. Your ingenuity and generosity, and your willingness to talk with me for over six years now...you've made it possible for me to take this leap. And I'm going to do my best to make you proud.

I'm heading to Nashville, TN for my first-ever Blissdom conference, and Christine's my roommate! Come find us! Better yet, come to Christine's talk "Do Less as a Life Strategy." It will change the way you think about (and go about) achieving great things. I'll be cheering in the back row.

Image credit: Retrospace



]]> All Ages Featured Parent Hacks News Asha Dornfest 2012-02-23T07:33:53-08:00 http://www.parenthacks.com/2012/02/parenting-book.html Make healthy snacks easier with a vegetable tray http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/parenthacks/~3/-1DFHpyCdkM/healthy-snacks-vegetable-tray.html Presentation and availability are a key part of making crudités kid-friendly.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=7aad6b23d403a09e00712f0fc93c68b4&p=1"><img alt="" style="border: 0;" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=7aad6b23d403a09e00712f0fc93c68b4&p=1"/></a> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://tags.bluekai.com/site/5148"/><img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:n1cy22q&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3"/> Make and Takes: Helping My Kids Eat Their Vegies

via makeandtakes.com

One of my top 7 vegetable recipes for kids is Crudités with a Surprise. What I forgot to mention is that presentation and availability are a key part of making this "recipe" kid-friendly.

I now covet the vegetable tray Marie highlighted on Make and Takes, and I love her suggestion about keeping it stocked and at the ready in the fridge. Good for the kids and for her.

This is a good place to use Glad Press'n Seal wrap. It's more expensive than regular plastic wrap but it's so much more useful. I keep an eye out for coupons then wait for sales and use the double savings to stock up.

Read the full post at Make and Takes: Helping My Kids Eat Their Vegies

Related: Snack hack: Create single servings to teach portion control and increase independence

More: Hacks about vegetables and picky eaters

I have no relationship with the Glad folks...I'm just a happy customer.



]]> All Ages Mealtime Asha Dornfest 2012-02-22T09:51:00-08:00 http://www.parenthacks.com/2012/02/healthy-snacks-vegetable-tray.html How to clean vomit from carpet? Talk amongst yourselves. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/parenthacks/~3/EPwjAngQeFs/how-to-clean-vomit-from-carpet.html Our best tips for cleaning vomit from carpet.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;"/> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=26ae01c3db0c9bdd36c499714cefb5b5&p=1"><img alt="" style="border: 0;" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=26ae01c3db0c9bdd36c499714cefb5b5&p=1"/></a> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://tags.bluekai.com/site/5148"/><img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:n1cy22q&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3"/> Amazon: Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda 12 oz (Pack of 6)It wouldn't be a proper flu season without a rousing discussion about PUKE. Right? So, let's help Emily with our best tips for cleaning vomit from carpet:

Got any great advice for cleaning carpet after the, uh, stomach flu? I'm specifically looking for tips for dealing with large, wet spots. I'm thinking about covering them with baking soda or baby powder, then vacuuming?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for the less than pleasant topic but I bet someone knows of a clever way to deal with this!

Asha's Vomit-Carpet Cleaning Routine

Warning: it's descriptive.

You will need:

  • 2-3 towels
  • A plastic garbage bag
  • Baking soda
  • Carpet cleaner and cleaning cloths (only if the carpet gets stained)
  • Vacuum cleaner

Scoop up the solid bits with a big, absorbent towel. I use a beach towel. BIG and ABSORBENT are key because you can wrap everything up in the towel and throw it straight in the washer. If there are a lot of solids, dump what you can in the toilet -- but usually the washer will take care of the worst of it. Throw the towel in the plastic bag.

With a second towel, blot the big, wet spots. The more pressure, the more the towel will suck up moisture. Throw the towel in the plastic bag.

Only if the vomit leaves a stain, saturate the stain with carpet cleaner, and clean as directed. It's rare that we need to do this, but when we do we use Resolve. Throw the cleaning cloths into the plastic bag.

Sprinkle the wet spot with baking soda. Use more than you think you need to, and press it into the carpet with the corner of a towel. This will neutralize any smell.

Throw the towels in the washer. You'll be so glad you did this right away. If you don't have a washer, you've got everything sealed up in a plastic bag, ready for the laundromat.

Let the spot dry, then vacuum. I've left the baking soda overnight with no problems.

Polish your parenting medal. You know, the one you were awarded the last time you went through this?

* * *

So there you have it. My throwup-cleaning routine, which may or may not be the best/easiest/most efficient.

Parenthackers: Can you improve upon my routine? How do you clean vomit out of carpet? Any product recommendations or special technique I'm missing?

Related: Baking soda deodorizes a mattress after a stomach flu disaster

More: Hacks for dealing with vomit



]]> All Ages Getting Organized Health Asha Dornfest 2012-02-21T05:22:00-08:00 http://www.parenthacks.com/2012/02/how-to-clean-vomit-from-carpet.html http://www.parenthacks.com/images/ph128.pnghttp://www.parenthacks.comParent Hacks logo