As 2007 comes to a close, we’re going to partake in some shameless self-promotion and award some of last year’s posts a “best of 2007″ designation. This may seem silly but it means a lot to the winning posts. They get a spiffy T-Shirt, a case of cheap beer and bragging rights at the next blog post convention. Plus, chicks dig it. Continue reading ‘Family Hack’s — Best of 2007′
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Many parents are going into this year’s holiday shopping season with confusion and apprehension following the rash of toy recalls and concerns over lead and otherwise contaminated plastics.
So what are the concerns about?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl
PVC is used in some soft and flexible plastics. PVC also contains lead as an additive—and there are no standards regulating the amount. Children who play with PVC toys are exposed to lead, as well as phalates, which have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. The European Union, fourteen other countries, and California have already banned the use of phalates in children’s products.
BPA (bisphenol A)
BPA is used in some hard, clear plastics. Used to make plastic baby bottles and other food containers. BPA mimics estrogen and has been linked to multiple diseases and developmental problems. Continue reading ‘Safe Toys your Kid’s will Love…for more than 5 minutes.’
| Posted in , , Kids and Toys. |
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Introducing Debbie Dubrow:
Debbie writes the superb DeliciousBaby.com. We’re very pleased she has agreed to share some of her hard earned travel wisdom with Family Hack.
With the holidays fast approaching, it seems like almost everyone I talk with is stressed about bringing their kids on a plane ride, and trying to figure out how to encourage them to be on their best behavior. As with everything else, a little advance preparation and having a few tricks up your sleeve won’t guarantee perfect behavior, but it sure helps!
Here are my top 10…,make that 11 tips for enabling young children to behave well on a plane.
1. Information is King
Good behavior starts by helping your child understand exactly what is going to happen. Without building things up too much, you can begin to talk about the trip a few days before you leave (even for kids as young as one year old). Talk about where you’ll be going (e.g. grandma’s house) and how you’ll be getting there (on a plane). On the day of the flight, lay out exactly what is going to happen. For example: first we’ll take a taxi to the airport, then we’ll go through security, and then we’ll get on the plane and fly to grandma’s . Even very young toddlers understand more than you think, and even if they don’t understand the details, they’ll understand that there is a plan and that everything is ok.
2. Set Expectations
At each stage of the trip (especially through security) point out what is happening, and explain to your child what you expect of them. “Look, there’s the conveyor belt, we get to put our shoes, sippy, and lovey on the conveyor belt and then we will get them on the other side.” Knowing what is expected of them (before they’re in trouble) will help keep your child from getting stressed out and loosing it. Books can help de-mystify travel too, one of our favorites for travel is Planes Board Book
Continue reading ‘10 Tips for a Smooth Travel Day with Kids.’
| Posted in , and Kids. |
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The Family Hack cast will be adding a new mystery character sometime next spring (i.e. we’re pregnant!). We are still in the midst of feeling tired, apprehensive, daunted and nauseous, but with any luck, those feelings will pass sometime in the next 18-20 years.
All the excitement does have us thinking about what we love and don’t love quite so much about being parents, so I compiled this little list about my love/hate relationship with motherhood. Don’t take it all too seriously, and be sure to leave us comments when you think up your own personal additions to the list. Continue reading ‘Loving and Loathing Parenthood…Again’
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I’ve already shown you how I handle my cable clutter when we travel. But there are a much wider variety of solutions for the cables we accumulate at home. Today, I’m going to take a look at 7 options.
1. The Cable Shelf:
My choice for taming cord spaghetti is a cable shelf. I like it's large capacity and easy access. When we travel I can easily remove the cables I need.
Life Hacker has a step-by-step article showing how they used my favorite cable shelf to whip one of their desks into shape.
2. The Cord Hog
The Cord Hog is simple to use, comes in many colors and is appropriately priced….ie: dirt cheap.
| Posted in , and Work. |
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- 1. The “Wish List” Tip
This is one of those theoretical-meets-practical ideas that tricks you into doing the smart thing.
- 2. Twenty-Five Ways to Remove Adhesive Goo
I think the title says it all.
- 3. Build Your Own Ice Rink…really!
TipNut.com turned us on to this amazing backyard project. How cool will your kids be with their very own ice rink?
Oh yeah…they are featuring our “Drain Tip” on their site today so there is no question as to their impeccable taste in web sites. 
| Posted in Linkworthy. |
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We didn’t create this…we just felt the need to ween you all off Halloween with this twisted little tech “hack”.
So, if you have a thirst for blood and a need for portable storage, you might want to get all hopped up on leftover candy and take a knife to an adorable stuffed animal. It’s cathartic, creative and more than a little bit creepy. Continue reading ‘Decapitated Teddy Bear Flash Drive’
| Posted in , and Humor. |
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Since I just covered “5 Ways to Get 90% OFF Designer Kid’s Clothes”, let’s take a quick look at how to hack the upcoming post-halloween bargain extravaganza.
1. Think Ahead
This is a great time to buy a costume or two for the year ahead — especially if you have younger children who aren’t interested in picking their own yet. Costumes have usually hit 50% off by halloween, and prices plummet during the week after.
2. The Dress-Up Bin
Even if you aren’t interested in buying things for a year-away event, this is still a great opportunity to restock your kids’ dress-up bin with super-cool masks, wigs, capes, etc. There’s also plenty of face paint available if you’re really brave!
Kids love to lull around the house in fancy princess gowns, climb trees in a superman outfit, or wear a plastic fireman’s helmet in the bathtub. You’re only paying $1 for the privlege, so go ahead and let them!
3. Think “Real Clothes”
I’ve recently taken this one step further and started pillaging the costume racks for “real clothes”. You’ll find some super fun funky stuff this time of year, and it costs a fraction of the boring old normal clothes.
One of our favorite outfits last year, and incidentally, the one that got the most compliments, was a pair of “cow pants” (pictured above) that was originally part of a cowboy/cowgirl halloween outfit. I got these at Old Navy for 97 cents a few weeks after halloween. Susie wore them all winter.
I also got a fun leopard print suit (cat costume) at the same time, which was great for crawling around the house on cold winter days. Since it was a costume, it was roomy enough to fit over PJs or other clothes.
4. Bad Mommy
Last, but not least, don’t forget to restock your “mommy needs chocolate stash”. You might even get inspired to bring home one of those cheesy french maid or slutty witch outfits that nobody had the nerve to buy to wear in public. Hell, Moms are allowed to have a little fun too!
| Posted in , and Kids. |
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- Animoto | The End of Slideshows
Combines your photos and music to look like a movie trailer.
- PrintableChecklists.com | Free Printable Checklists & Charts for Families!
This ridiculous number of lists will satisfy the most anal retentive parent.
| Posted in Linkworthy. |
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There is hardly ever a need to pay full price for kids clothes — even the super nice wear-to-a-wedding ones. Kids grow so fast that their clothes are usually "used" before they are barely worn. So, today we’ll cover 5 ways we dress our kids for a fraction of the full price tag. Continue reading ‘5 Ways to Get 90% OFF
Designer Kid’s Clothes.’
| Posted in , and Kids. |
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