It’s stressful isn’t it? Having to get all those things ready, trying not to forget anything, not to mention bickering kids, tantrums about what to wear or the sleepy head who doesn’t want to wake up. No, the morning rush isn’t any fun but luckily there are a few things you can do to bring peace back into your family’s morning routine.

Prepare Ahead – Sounds simple enough but did you know you could actually leave just about everything ready for the next day? It might take a few extra minutes out of your evening but you’ll be much faster if you prepare everything once the kids are asleep rather than rushing in the morning.

Lay out the kids clothes for the next day - Include things like hair clips, socks and shoes. And don’t forget to lay out your clothes too.

Leave breakfast ready (or nearly ready) - Depending on what you have for breakfast you can often pre-prepare a lot of it. If you have pancakes make the batter the night before and stick it in the fridge. If you have cereal and toast, leave the cereal out, bowls, spoons and bread. You can even set the table to save time.

Pre-Pack Lunch Boxes - If your kids take a packed lunch to school prepare it the night before. Most things like sandwiches will be fine left in the fridge overnight.

Pack Their School Bags – Look through their bags and make sure there aren’t any last minute dates or events you’ve overlooked. Pack all their books and things in their bags and leave everything by the front door.

Get The Kids Involved – The responsibility of getting the kids to school shouldn’t completely lie on your shoulders. As soon as children are old enough to help out then they should. Even the youngest of kids can help.

Make a Chart – If your kids (like most kids) are forgetful, make a chart for each one which explains in order all the things they need to do in the morning. You can draw pictures for the really young ones and write a description for the older ones. For example, you can have a picture of a toothbrush, then the school clothes, hair brush, etc.

Talk to your kids about the list beforehand and explain it to them. Then stick it up in a prominent place in their rooms and the next time they ask you “mom, what do I do know?” tell them to go look at their list. This is a great way of getting kids a little more involved and to start teaching them responsibility.

By preparing ahead you can’t avoid all of your family’s morning stresses but it will certainly help a lot, and who knows you may even have time for that extra cup of coffee.

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It’s not easy to keep coming up with healthy and fun school lunch ideas. No wonder most parents tend to pack the same foods over and over again. So just how do you avoid packed lunch boredom? Here are some simple ideas to spice up your child’s lunch box.

Change the Bread – Or don’t use bread at all. Kids can get bored with sandwiches so why not try the same fillings but make it a little more exciting by changing the bread. You can try pitta bread, bagels, tortilla wraps or even crackers or breadsticks. You can place the fillings on the side and your child can assemble the crackers or sandwiches themselves.

Try a Salad – Not your typical lettuce and tomato salad, what kid would get excited by that? But instead try a pasta salad or potato salad. Cook and drain the pasta or potatoes and mix with a little mayonnaise or olive oil, add some cut up veggies such as corn kernels, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots; add some sliced turkey, chicken or ham and place in a plastic travel container.

Fun, Fun, Fun – On the days where you go for the traditional sandwich try cutting the bread with fun shapes using cookie cutter. You can also cut slices of cheese or ham into fun shapes. Cookie cutters are something every mom should make good use of. You’ll be amazed at how a boring cheese sandwich will get gobbled up when shaped into a flower or dinosaur.

Fingers Foods – Sometimes kids, especially younger ones, don’t like to eat a whole sandwich or bowl of food. Instead you can try preparing cut up cubes of cheese, grapes, carrot sticks, pretzels, mini crackers, and ham cubes. Place in a container with individual compartments or just a standard one for a fun lunch. You can also try cutting sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles for easier eating.

Pinwheels Anyone? – Instead of sandwiches try pinwheels. Cut the crust from two slices of bread, flatten bread using the back of your hand or rolling pin. Spread thinly with cream cheese. Place one slice of ham and roll each slice into a log shape. Wrap in cling film and place in freezer for about 30 minutes. Unwrap and cut into pinwheel rounds.

Dip It – Kids love dipping stuff. For an easy and nutritious lunch snack you can cut apple wedges and serve with a strawberry or peanut butter dip or cut up veggies served with a hummus dip or try a cream cheese dip. For a more substantial lunch add pieces of pita bread, breadsticks or crackers.

Lunch Notes – Write cute little notes once in a while to put a smile on your little one’s face. A simple note with a smiley face saying I love you or miss you can instantly make a child feel better. For older children (who will no doubt be embarrassed by smiley faces and cutsie notes) try a riddle or brain teaser instead.

Be a Creative Mama – Think outside the box, the lunch box that is. Pack mini pizza slices, mini hamburgers, meatballs or chicken drumsticks. Add some potato wedges on the side. Or try tortilla chips with strips of cheese, turkey and sliced tomatoes on the side. Add a sour cream and/or guacamole dip for instant lunch time nachos, perfect for older children or teens.

Or how about some bake savory mini muffins using chopped, cooked bacon and chives or grated cheese and ham. Sweet fruit mini muffins will be a big hit too.

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Decorating your baby’s nursery is certainly exciting and a lot of fun. As well as creating a soothing environment, your baby’s nursery should be practical and safe.

Make sure there are no electrical switches, blind cords or other hazards where baby can reach them.

Try to plan a nursery your child won’t outgrow. Choose a theme that’s classic and both you and baby can live with for some time. It can be expensive and time consuming if the nursery dates too quickly.

Also you don’t have to stick to traditional baby colors such as pink for girls and blue for boys. With the huge range of paint colors available now you can experiment a little.

For an extra special touch try painting a mural on one of the walls. If art isn’t really your forte you can usually find a good local artists willing to take the job on for a reasonable price. You can also stencil a border around the room or stencil in your favorite poem or verse.

When choosing the furniture, make sure it’s functional. You’ll need a crib, changing table, and storage for clothes. You may also want a moses basket or basinet. It’s always smart to think ahead and invest in convertible furniture like a crib which turns into a toddler bed or a change table/dresser which can later be used as a dresser only. This will cost a little bit more but will actually save you from having to invest in furniture again in a few years.

If space allows, one of the must have items for new parents is a comfortable chair. A good chair will be an investment but it will last for years. It’s important to have a quiet place where you can easily feed and spend some quality time bonding with baby… it will also save you from future back problems!

Invest in comfortable bedding. Bedding should be made of quality materials and follow all the baby safety guidelines. A good bedding set will cost a little bit more, but for the decorative pieces like the bumper you’ll only need one good set. Then simply stock up on good quality fitted sheets which are less expensive and you can change on a regular basis.

If you’re going for wooden or bare floors place an area rug in the center. When babies starts to crawl and explore a soft surface will be a lot safer and nicer for them.

Try to avoid bright colors in the nursery as they can over stimulate and cause anxiety in babies and young children. Instead go for a range of neutral and soothing colors.

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Toddlers, ever going, never tiring and ultimately chaotic… so just how do you find enough activities to keep them entertained?

Toddlers aren’t old enough to entertain themselves or get involved in pretend play (without a little help), which means it’s up to you to keep them entertained and happy. The best activities for toddlers are fun-filled while still fully helping them developmentally.

So what are some fun but also educational activities for your toddler? The good news is that toddlers are fairly easy to entertain so there’s no need to go out and spend a fortune or turn your house into an amusement park.

Here are a few fun ideas:

Go for a nature walk – Educational yet lots of fun. Your toddler will love exploring and collecting different treasures to bring home. Point out big leaves to him or different colored plants or flowers. Collect opposites such as a small leaf and a big leaf or a small stick and a big stick.

Take your time and have fun. Don’t worry if you don’t live near a nature reserve or park. A simple walk around your neighborhood will be sufficient. Your toddler won’t mind and there will still be lots for him to see.

Bake Cookies – The bad news first, things will get messy. The good news, cooking is both fun and educational and even children as young as 2 can get involved. Depending on your toddler’s age let her help and don’t worry too much about how the final product will look or even taste, concentrate on the actual putting it together part. As you’re mixing the ingredients tell your toddler what you’re doing. Name out each ingredient and measurement out loud and once you finish enjoy your delicious homemade treats.

Have Fun With Water - Fill a small tub with water and give your toddler several containers of different sizes. Let her pour water from one container to the other and you can even add some bubbles for extra fun. This is a fun activity that also helps build hand eye coordination. You can also place different objects in a tub and show your child how some of them float and others sink.

Start a Photo Album – Make a photo album and fill it with pictures of your toddler, your family and extended family as well. This is especially good if your toddler has relatives that live far away. Talk about who each person is and where they come from or where they live.

Paper Tearing or Cutting – Find a couple of old magazines or catalogues and let your toddler tear pages out, try to get her to tear small shapes or just let her have fun. If your toddler is a little older you can teach her how to use toddler scissors to cut out shapes.

Toddlers are constantly learning. This is the perfect age for you to have fun with your child while helping them learn. And don’t think you have to do something too elaborate. Toddlers are easily pleased and will find wonder and amazement in even the smallest of things. Enjoy these years.

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It’s no secret kids love to snack. In fact left to their own devices a lot of kids would rather snack all day than sit down to full meals, but with so many snack times how do you keep snacks exciting and fun? Here are a few healthy and fun ideas:

Fruit on a Stick – Cut up a bunch of different fruits such as apples, bananas, kiwis, mango and add a few grapes. Thread them onto a skewer for a delicious summer time treat. To make it a little more special add a few pieces of marshmallows between the fruit.

Quick Banana Ice - Take a few bananas and mash them in a bowl. Cover and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, fluff up with fork for a healthy, ice cream like treat.

Pitta Pizza – Spread a little tomato sauce on a pitta bread and cut into small triangular pieces. Top with a little grated cheese and place in a moderately heated oven for about 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.

Sweet Tortilla Shapes – Using small fun shaped cookie cutters cut fun shapes out of a tortilla (wrap). Place on non stick cookie sheet and lightly brush with a little butter. Lightly sprinkle (you only need a little) with a mixture of 1 part cinnamon and 3 parts brown sugar and bake in a moderately hot oven for 10 minutes for a sweet and crispy treat.

Frozen Mandarin Wedges – Peel a few mandarin slices and cover in plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for about an hour for a thirst quenching treat.

Banana Wheels – Place a cup or so of cheerios in a plastic bag and using the back of your hand or a rolling pin flatten until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Slice a banana into rounds and place a few at a time in the plastic bag. Shake lightly to cover the banana pieces (banana wheels) with the cheerios mixture.

Mini Wraps – Lightly spread a tortilla with a little cream cheese and place one or two slices of thin ham or turkey over the cream cheese. Roll tightly and cut into small rounds.

Jiggly Fruit – Make a portion of strawberry flavored jello per package instructions and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Open and drain a can of fruit cocktail and add to the jello and mix. Place back in the fridge until jello is fully set.

Ants on boats – Cut a few apple wedges and spread thinly with peanut butter. Add a few raisins over the peanut butter and enjoy. You can also use cream cheese instead of peanut butter.

Pick and Mix – Kids seem to really enjoy finger foods rather than eating too much of one thing. A great snack is to place a selection of finger foods on a serving plate and let the kids choose. You can serve a combination of foods like carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, pretzels or pretzel sticks, small savory crackers, bread sticks, little cubes or slices of cheese, small slices of ham or turkey, grapes and other pieces of cut up fruit, mini muffins, and dried fruit such as raisins or apricots.

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Are we there yet? Road trips with kids are definitely one of life’s experiences. If you’re traveling by road this summer with a car full of kids or even one, these tips will help you keep the kids entertained while helping you keep your sanity in the process.

Make Comfort a Priority – Again, making your kids comfortable should be on top of your checklist for road travel. Take along travel blankets and pillows. If the weather is hot place a light shade on the windows to avoid the bright sunlight. If it’s cold out make sure your kids have plenty of layers on and don’t forget their favorite stuffed animal or teddy bear.

Pack Their Favorites – Let each child pack a little back pack with their favorite toys, books or even snacks. It’s exciting for them to pack their own special bag and it’s nice for them to have their favorite things close at hand. This also helps you avoid them wanting to bring along their whole room. The rule is if it fits in their bags they can bring it, if it doesn’t then it has to stay.

Make Plenty of Stops - If you are going to drive for several hours, remember children don’t have the same patience as adults, so make sure you take plenty of rest breaks along the way. You can stop at rest stations but also playgrounds or parks, where you can all stretch, or alternatively visit a fast food restaurant which has a separate play area for the kids.

Once you’re finished, grab a few healthy snacks and make sure everyone has gone to the bathroom before leaving.

Invest in Travel Games – There are a range of classic board games like monopoly in smaller versions specifically for travel. Cards are also another great travel game and of course handheld electronic games (make sure you have one for each child to avoid arguments) will keep them amused for hours, and may even induce them to sleep.

Apart from games, you can take along art supplies like coloring pencils, coloring books, drawing sheets, crayons, and markers to draw and paint the different scenes along the way. You can even ask them to write and describe each scenery or make up a story or poem.

Listen to their favorite songs. Get a pack of several CDs and, let each kid take turns playing their favorite songs. Who knows they may even enjoy singing along.

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Time is a precious commodity and those who learn to use theirs wisely will always be ahead of the game. First the bad news, the one thing you can’t do is add more hours to your day. No matter what, it’s just not going to happen. The good news, you can do certain things to make every precious minute count and in turn leave you with more free time.

Plan ahead – Don’t go anywhere without a list. Especially if you have the kids with you, you’re more likely to forget something without a list. So, don’t go on your errand run or shopping trip without a list. Also try to go shopping in the evenings when there are less people in the store. Why waste an hour fighting the crowds when you can be done in 30 minutes. Better yet, do your shopping online.

Meal Plan – Plan meals for the upcoming week and write your shopping list according to the meals. Make sure you stick the meal plan on the fridge so you can know what foods need to be thawed daily, etc. This will save you a lot of time and money.

Buy in Bulk – If you have the space plan ahead and buy things in bulk. You’ll save money and precious time by not having to go to the supermarket so often.

Pay Your Bills Electronically – If you can do this then you should. You will save a lot of time by not having to write out and mail checks. If you really can’t or choose not to do this, then set up a work station and keep your checkbook, stamp, envelopes, pens close at hand. You can also have a calendar with all your important dates and appointments written on there. Go a step further and have an inbox for mail and papers that need to be files. You’ll never waste time looking for these things again.

Don’t Let The Housework Pile Up – There’s nothing worst than spending your weekends cleaning. If you do a little bit each day you won’t ever need to spend a whole day cleaning. For example, do a load of laundry daily rather than letting it all pile up for Saturday, same thing with the vacuuming and other tasks. Once the weekend comes around the house should be fairly organized. You may just have to give the bathroom and kitchen a good clean, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy your family.

Organize Your Life – Spend a little time organizing your house, the time spent doing this will save you a lot of time and hassle in return. Have a set place for everything. For example, have a place near the front door where you can hang your keys and purse. Don’t forget items like umbrellas, hats, gloves and scarves for those rainy or cold days. Set up storage for the kids toys or all magazines and books.

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Before the colder weather hits - get some smoothie action in with the kids…

We all know the importance of eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, with our busy lifestyles it’s not always so easy. That’s where smoothies come in. Delicious and nutritious smoothies can be a mom’s secret weapon to ensuring your kids get enough fruit in their diets.

Here are some yummy smoothie combinations that are great for breakfast or any time of the day. Simply throw all ingredients in the blender and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes.

Bananarama – 1 banana, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, dash of milk

Mango Mania – 1 mango (cut and pitted), 1/4 cup orange juice

Peach Medley – 1 peach (cut and pitted), 1 banana, 1/4 cup orange juice

Berry Surprise – 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup raspberries, ¼ cup of milk

Strawberry Ice – 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup orange juice, I cup crushed ice

Honey melon – 1 cup chopped honey dew lemon pieces, 1/4 cup apple juice, tablespoon honey.

Banana Boost – 1 banana, 1/4 shredded wheat cereal (or other high fiber cereal), 1/4 cup milk. A great way to get extra fiber and vitamins into your child’s diet.

And if it’s hot outside why not try smoothie popsicles. They may a great alternative to sugary ice cream and are a delicious summer treat. For a creamier consistency try adding 1/4 cup yogurt of your choice to the recipes above and pour the smoothie mixture into popsicle molds. If you don’t have popsicle molds you can use paper cups or even ice cube trays. Fill cups or tray and when half frozen and slushy like insert popsicle stick and leave until fully frozen.

You don’t have to stick the recipes above, just about any of your favorite fruit combinations will taste delicious in a homemade smoothie. It’s also a great way to let kids get involved in the kitchen. Let them choose their favorite fruits and let them help you peel and chop them up (according to their age of course). They can also pour liquid ingredients into measuring cups.

Smoothies are not only a great way to get your kids to eat more fruit. They’re also easy to prepare and best of all delicious.

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Time is a precious commodity and those who learn to use theirs wisely will always be ahead of the game. First the bad news, the one thing you can’t do is add more hours to your day. No matter what, it’s just not going to happen. The good news, you can do certain things to make every precious minute count and in turn leave you with more free time.

Plan ahead – Don’t go anywhere without a list. Especially if you have the kids with you, you’re more likely to forget something without a list. So, don’t go on your errand run or shopping trip without a list. Also try to go shopping in the evenings when there are less people in the store. Why waste an hour fighting the crowds when you can be done in 30 minutes. Better yet, do your shopping online.

Meal Plan – Plan meals for the upcoming week and write your shopping list according to the meals. Make sure you stick the meal plan on the fridge so you can know what foods need to be thawed daily, etc. This will save you a lot of time and money.

Buy in Bulk – If you have the space plan ahead and buy things in bulk. You’ll save money and precious time by not having to go to the supermarket so often.

Pay Your Bills Electronically – If you can do this then you should. You will save a lot of time by not having to write out and mail checks. If you really can’t or choose not to do this, then set up a work station and keep your checkbook, stamp, envelopes, pens close at hand. You can also have a calendar with all your important dates and appointments written on there. Go a step further and have an inbox for mail and papers that need to be files. You’ll never waste time looking for these things again.

Don’t Let The Housework Pile Up – There’s nothing worst than spending your weekends cleaning. If you do a little bit each day you won’t ever need to spend a whole day cleaning. For example, do a load of laundry daily rather than letting it all pile up for Saturday, same thing with the vacuuming and other tasks. Once the weekend comes around the house should be fairly organized. You may just have to give the bathroom and kitchen a good clean, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy your family.

Organize Your Life – Spend a little time organizing your house, the time spent doing this will save you a lot of time and hassle in return. Have a set place for everything. For example, have a place near the front door where you can hang your keys and purse. Don’t forget items like umbrellas, hats, gloves and scarves for those rainy or cold days. Set up storage for the kids toys or all magazines and books.

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It’s 6:00 p.m. the kids are hungry, homework needs to be done, you’re stressed and then they ask… “Mom, what’s for dinner?”

It’s not easy juggling our busy lives while trying to feed our families a hot nutritious dinner everyday. These 7 quick and easy dinner ideas will help take the stress out of family meal times.

1 – Plan a Menu – This does take a little organizing ahead of time but it’s definitely worth the effort. Find a few minutes during the weekend and plan your meals for the upcoming week. Write a quick menu, do your shopping and stick the menu on your fridge. Every morning quickly glance at it and take out the foods that need thawing and plan ahead how much time you need to prepare the meal.

2 – Befriend the Crockpot – Okay, this little invention may not be the coolest kitchen gadget around but it can definitely be a lifesaver. With a little planning you can have a nutritious dinner ready before the kids can even say “mom…”

3 – The Casserole is Back – Similar to the crockpot but great for days when you forget to plan ahead. Casseroles work great with leftovers or just about any items you can find in your pantry. Throw together some pasta, tuna, corn kernels, peas and cream for a quick meal. Casseroles made with rice or potatoes are just as easy. Keep a few easy recipes on hand and add or omit ingredients according to what you have in your pantry.

4 – Easy, Versatile, Pasta – By far the easiest way to quickly throw together a healthy family dinner. To avoid boredom try to avoid the usual jar of sauce and pasta dinner. Try this, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over very low heat and add one crushed garlic bulb, stir for about a minute and add a can of drained crab meat, the juice of one lemon and a little salt and pepper to taste, and finally add a little chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve over your pasta with some garlic bread on the side for a delicious meal in minutes.

5 – Eggs Incredible Eggs – Eggs aren’t only for breakfast, they’re also great for quick dinners. Make an omelet and fill with a little ham and cheese, you can also add some chopped tomato, onions or mushrooms. Serve along with a salad and some bread. Or make a Spanish tortilla. Scrub, peel and thinly slice a couple of new or small potatoes. Add to a sauce pan with a little water and boil until soft, about 8 minutes. Add a little oil to a nonstick frying pan, add the potatoes, scramble eggs and a little chopped onion (optional) cook on low until the bottom starts to set. Then stick the frying pan under a hot grill until the top of the tortilla sets. Serve with a side salad.

6 – Sandwich Bar – Some days you just don’t have the time or energy to cook a hot meal, but you can still feed your family a nutritious meal in the way of sandwiches. Put out some bread rolls (whole wheat is best), add a platter of cheese, ham, turkey, tuna or any other favorite fillings. Add another platter of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and any other favorite veggies. Now let your kids put together their own sandwiches. Serve with some pretzels, a salad or cut up veggies and dip, a little hopeful but worth a try.

7 – Wrap It – Wraps are great for quick dinners. You fill them with just about anything. For a Mexican wrap cook a little ground beef, drain and fill wrap. Add some chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, sour cream or guacamole. You can also fill it with a little heated tuna with some corn kernels and a little mayonnaise or try scrambled eggs, chopped ham and tomatoes. Leftover chicken with cheese and lettuce works great too.

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