I’m on a deep dive in the Parent Hacks archives. It’s sort of like a treasure hunt; I’m looking for gems tucked among nine years’ worth of posts so I can polish them for the forthcoming Parent Hacks book. Many of the best hacks are hard to find because they’re hidden in the comments which the […]
Category: Mom Hacks
Right now I’m on a deep dive in the Parent Hacks archives. It’s sort of like a treasure hunt; I’m looking for gems tucked among nine years’ worth of posts so I can polish them for the forthcoming Parent Hacks book. Many of the best hacks are hard to find because they’re hidden in the […]
It happens every year. I associate my kids’ first week back at school with a return to routine and a predictable span of hours to work and think. Much as I’m sad to see summer fade, I think: it’s easier during the school year. But it isn’t. At least it isn’t right away. I forget that […]
I’m deep in the research phase of my forthcoming Parent Hacks book. I’m considering including illustrated lists of uses for exceptionally "hackable" items already lying around the house. Things like Ziploc bags, binder clips and…baby food jars. My oldest kid just started high school (and I mean just started today) and I still have baby food […]
As you know (especially if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook), I’m a participant in this year’s Shot@Life #Blogust campaign to donate 60,000 vaccines to children in need. I set a goal of 500 vaccine donations for my Blogust post, What I Learned By Sending My Kids to Summer Camp. With your help, we not only hit that goal, we […]
On the ONE Campaign blog today, I share my thoughts on a father’s choice to teach his sons about videogame violence by taking them to Israel and Syria. While I respect his choice, it wouldn’t be mine. From the ONE post: I have a 14 year-old son who loves to play combat video games. We draw the […]
Friday surprise for Portland Parenthackers! I’ve got a download code for free advance screening tickets for ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR, playing tomorrow in IMAX 3D, 8/16, at 11am at Regal Bridgeport Village! Thanks to the PR folks at Allied THA for setting this up — this is awesome. (Bonus: Morgan Freeman narrates. Here’s the official […]
Christine used a power washer (also known as a pressure washer) to blast the stains out of white baseball pants! She shared this laundry trick for parents of busy baseball players in the “Parent to Parent” community at Parents.com. I found it because @ParentsMagazine tweeted the link with the #parenthacks hashtag. (Fist bump to Parents! […]
I’m undone by the beauty and wisdom of Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar. Exquisite, funny, shocking, real and oh, so generous. I picked it up on impulse from Powell’s and read it in a matter of hours. I met Cheryl years ago at a literary salon in […]
It’s one thing to make a movie. It’s another to do something completely new with the medium. From the promotional material for BOYHOOD: Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), […]
Road trip snacks, anyone? No kidding: Mikeasaurus has thought through the food safety issues on this one. Consider this the silver lining on your next drive in the insane summer heat. Read the full how-to at Instructables: Dashboard Baking Give a little link love! If you come across something you think qualifies as a parent hack, share […]
Look at this smart reuse for an IKEA magazine holder! This could work well over a kid’s desk to stash art or homework supplies. OR as a charging station for the family’s mobile devices. Read the full how-to at Design*Sponge: DIY Wednesdays: Catch-All Shelf Give a little link love! If you come across something you think […]