If you're a caregiver dad who has wondered 'how mom does it', here are a few tips from the secret Mom Handbook to save your sanity when caring for elementary-age children.
Plastic Bags
Think snacks. You thought snacks ended with preschool? The bigger the kid, the more they love and need snacks to ward off hunger effects during their busy days. Don't let your kids binge on high fat and sugar snacks. Daily snacks that are healthful are easy to prepare and pack with plastic bags from your kitchen. Plus, plastic bags are great for controlling clutter in your homework center and junk drawers.
Bulletin Board
Get it. Use it. There's no other way to keep track of all the papers to be signed and schedules to know. Sure, you keep up with it on your PDA; but, you need something that everyone in the family can see and use.
Basic Office Supplies
Large Manila Envelopes - for organizing school-year memorabilia and art work to store in those boxes in your garage.
Paper from Your Printer Tray - for coloring moments, writing notes to teachers, maps to birthday parties, babysitter instructions...it's endless really and look you have it right there.
File Folders and Portable Labeler - The labeler is a blast. Buy extra label paper and keep it handy to label boxes (of memorabilia, of course) and a thousand other things. File folders require an actual file cabinet, or just see 'Large Manila Envelopes' above.
Laughter
This is the secret weapon in the Mom Handbook. It's best started first thing in the morning and used frequently all day with kids, spouses, friends, acquaintances. Don't stay home without it.
