This week, the Clever Parents Blog Roundup is all about being green. Use these ten easy green tips from Boston Mamas to cultivate your family’s awareness about the earth and its limited resources. Take this green poll and tell the Moms Buzz what you do to stay green at home. Green your shopping with The Find Green, a search engine that One Chic Mama writes about this week. Then, win a free copy of The History Channel’s documentary on our climate crisis, “A Global Warning?”

Plus, a family of four makes it all work in a 640 square foot NYC apartment.

Giveaways:

The Nest Baby: Mother’s Day Gift Guide and Giveaway Mother’s Day is almost here, and we’re giving away some serious swag! Enter now to win personalized jewelry, gourmet dinners and tons more.

MomFinds: Win a Pair of See Kai Run Shoes for Baby Tell us your favorite shoe from See Kai Run’s Sping Collection for a chance to win one of two pairs!

Last Friday, I boarded a plane with Charles in tow and headed for Orlando. A few weeks ago, I was invited (along with 15 other mom bloggers) to attend an expense paid trip to Disney World. Disney’s goal in hosting this event was to bring together “popular mom bloggers” and begin a dialogue that allows them to understand and support what mom bloggers do.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of being invited to go to the great children’s mecca without the family, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to meet some new people and spend a little one-on-one time with Charles. I didn’t know any of the other moms before the weekend and since the agenda was kept a secret until our arrival I also didn’t know what to expect.

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

1. Firsts. Charles had a few firsts this weekend. First (and second) plane ride. He slept through both of them like a champ. First (and second and third) limo ride (again, slept through the whole thing). First visit to a roof-top restaurant, California Grill (he slept right through it). First visit to Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba (yes, he slept through that, too). Do you see a pattern emerging?

2. VIP Way or the Highway. Arriving at the airport and being wisked away VIP-style by Tom from New Jersey who offered to stop and pick up anything I needed.

The first night, after dinner in Italy, we followed a man with a red light saber looking torch (my boys would have loved to play with that) and watched him part the sea of tourists and help us avoid obstacles “watch out for the planter” eventually leading us to a waterfront view of the Illuminations fireworks display which we enjoyed while sampling a coffee and dessert bar.

The time when our schedule didn’t permit me to wait around for the Mickey Mouse ears which were being embroidered for my boys and my buddy Tom magically reappeared and made sure they were delivered to me. (It is the Magic Kingdom, afterall… and a Small World, too.)

As for the highway? I think that we mom bloggers had a few extra perks, but people seem to be treated pretty well at Disney, expenses paid or not.

3. The Moms. Aside from a few (hundred) group emails before the trip, I didn’t know any of the moms. But the excitement and camaraderie was evident from the first message. Stephanie of Adventures in Babywearing offered to bring a sling for me to borrow since I’d be nursing on the go (total lifesaver), I instantly bonded with Tracey, hilarious Suburban Diva that she is, and before our first event on Friday, I ran into Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife in the elevator and Jennifer from Snapshot in the lobby who were both excited – like me – and so much fun! I also got to meet Christine of Boston Mamas and Posh Peacock who is also a regular contributor to Friday Parent Blog Roundup. There were two other North Carolina gals like me, Marybeth from Cheaper By the Half Dozen and Jennifer of the Mom Salon. Gabrielle of Design Mom and a (not-so) little website called sk*rt also kept us all entertained during that first evening meal in Italy (well, the Italy in Epcot at least). All 15 of these great moms are fabulous and meeting them was one of the supreme highlights of the event. (Awww. Group hug.)

4. Behind The Scenes. One of the fun parts of this Disney excursion was getting to see Disney as an insider with lots of ‘behind the scenes’ sneak peeks. Personally, I love to go ‘behind the scenes’. Maybe it’s the voyeurist in me, but I like being armed with the additional knowledge of how things work. If it happens to be something that most people aren’t necessarily privvy to, all the better.

From meeting and dining with the Executive Chef at Epcot, to chatting up two lovely ladies fresh off the stage at Cirque (which could have only been improved upon if we were to meet the hard body on lavish swaths of red fabric – something you’d have to see firsthand to comprehend), we had our share of behind the scenes experiences.

My favorite was a personal tour from the project manager of the newest soon-to-be open ride, Toy Story Mania, at the newly renamed Hollywood Studios (previously MGM Studios). Talk to Mr. Potato Head in the queue and he’ll talk back to you. Release some inner tension while on the ride by launching spring action shooters aimed towards 3-D targets (think throwing virtual pies and eggs and popping water balloons).

5. Disney Doesn’t Have to be Expensive. One of the things that surprised me most about my Disney trip is that you really don’t have to break the bank to make the trip. Between dining plans (that help you save about 30% on food) and economy hotels (did you know there are several on-property hotels with nightly rates less than $100?), a family of four can visit Disney for a week, stay on Disney grounds, eat all their meals and visit the parks for about $1600.

6. Disney Employees Love What They Do. One of the things that impressed me most about this trip was the sincerity in which people who work for Disney tell you about it. Ask a Disney employee for directions and they’ll walk you to your destination, ask for advice and they’ll give you the insider tips. Disney employees take their jobs seriously and really seem to love what they do. For a company that employs something like 60,000 people, that’s pretty amazing.

So all in all, the Disney trip was fabulous. I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt, errr, mouse ears. Big thanks to the wonderful Maria Bailey of BSM Media and to Michelle and Joyce at Disney. I can’t wait to visit again and bring the family. If Disney’s purpose was to make us more impressed with Disney than we were when we arrived, mission accomplished.

ok.

Chances are you’re scratching your (non-bandanna clad) head & perhaps uttering a DUH or two.

Bear with me. I have some good news here.

For most of us the deterrent to working out isnt that we dont enjoy exercise. Even the most die-hard exercise resistant among us can thing of a workout she would enjoy if given the gift of time.
Hula hooping? Dancing? Yoga? In-line skating?

The list of options? ENDLESS.

The time we have to do it in? Usually not.

In fact the most cited reason for not working out is an inability to find a chunk of time in the day to dedicate to exercising.

Note the word: CHUNK OF TIME.

Please to refer back to the title.

Now? The good news. There is new evidence to support the fact that breaking up your workout into smaller pieces sprinkled through out your day really does give you the same results as one longer workout session.

And, as MizFit has certainly discovered, breaking up the workout can allow it to be more stress-reducing as you dont have TIME to begin fretting about all the other tasks/chores/jobs you “should” be doing at that very moment.

Try it out and see what you think.

Find ten or fifteen minutes in the morning, a few moments at lunchtime if you can, and ten or fifteen minutes at night before bed.

I dare you.

And I’ll bet you feel better along the way.

Wanna see MizFit in action? Swing by www.MizFitOnline.com for her Monday Facetime Video!

Valentine’s Day in a restaurant: a) romantic or b) amateur hour? If you picked ‘b’, a night in with a fabulous meal and the one you love may be enough to cure your Valentine’s Day-itis. Here are a few ways to make it a night to remember.

1. Dress It Up. Just because you’re having a meal at home doesn’t mean throwing on your comfiest pjs for a night in front of the TV. Don that sexy cocktail dress and his smartest suit to show off the stylish couple you are. Prefer something more casual? Pair your favorite jeans and top with a great pair of shoes.

2. The Meal. Pick up a copy of The Date Night Cookbook (romantic recipes for the busy couple) and make it a meal to remember. The first book by Meredith Phillips, a classically trained chef who you may know better from her stints on ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, the recipes are simple yet elegant. The book is equally suited for the coffee table with its beautiful pictures. Plus, a section in the back puts menus together for you and there’s even a section on ‘16 super-quick dishes for busy weeknights’. Learn more and buy here.

3. The Scene. Skip the TV tonight and pull out some of your favorite tunes from your early days as a couple. A little romantic jazz or R&B (check out the Brand New Heavies) goes a long way in the romance department. Dim the lights, light some candles, sprinkle some rose petals, pop open a bottle of bubbly. Looking for something a little more adventurous in the bedroom? Check out The Liberator for bedroom adventure gear, lingerie and ideas.

4. Get Creative. Remember those ‘coupons’ you used to give your parents for presents when you were a kid (1 coupon to wash moms car, 1 coupon to mow the lawn without whining)? Write up coupons for the one you love on red, pink and white paper (good for 1 back rub, good for one dinner at your favorite restaurant, good for a little… check out the The Liberator to get in the groove) and put it in a jar with a bow.

Sure, Valentine’s Day can be amateur hour, but it doesn’t have to be. Have fun with it this year and you may just find yourself celebrating Valentine’s Day throughout the year.

One of the most repeated New Year’s Resolutions is “to get organized.” I have probably added this to my own list many times in the past. The problem is that it is such a vague resolve, and one that cannot be measured. Let’s take a look at some other popular resolutions: pay off debt, lose weight, volunteer, eat healthier, exercise more, etc. Isn’t it amazing to see how becoming organized can help achieve these resolutions?

Before I explain the steps in becoming organized, first let’s discuss what it actually means to be organized. If it is perfection you are seeking, you will never find it. If you are looking to create a world completely free from any type of clutter…good luck. So, if becoming organized will not bring you a perfect uncluttered life, what will it bring?

To become organized is to have a clear set of priorities and goals and actions that reflect accordingly. To become organized is to know what you want and be on the road to achieve it. Being organized is not the result of your achievements; rather it is the actual process.

Steps in becoming organized:

Priorities and Goals

What do you want for you and your family? Why do you want to become organized? What are the things that are most important to you? These are the questions you must first ask yourself. Sometimes you have to adjust your dreams to your realities.

Create steps to achieve goals

Once you have answered the above questions (which may be the hardest part), it is time to create the steps to achieve the goals while taking into account your priority list. For example, let’s say you want to go back to college to get a new career. Depending on your priorities is how you will organize your life to achieve this goal. It may take you 2 years full-time, or 6 years taking a class at a time. I am a FIRM believer in everything is possible. You simply take your end goal and break it up into steps. These steps must be achievable and not too rigid. If you try to reach for perfection you will always fall flat on your face, and often times find yourself one step ahead and two steps behind.

Ask and accept help

Once you know what you want, and have properly balanced it with your priorities, it is time to ask for help. You should not be ashamed to seek help, especially when it is offered. It is okay to not be able to do everything on your own. Often times; true strength is shown when pride is dropped and weaknesses are shared with others.

Celebrate the small successes

As I mentioned above, being organized is not the end result. It is the conscious effort to keep on the path even with the path gets bumpy and roadblocks come your way. If you keep your priorities at the center of your life’s plan, your goals may change, but contentment and satisfaction will still be found in your efforts. Throughout 2008 and far beyond, praise yourself for a job well done. Believe in yourself and your abilities and others will as well.

How to create an organized home

Let’s take the principles above and see how they will help create an organized home. For example, let’s say that you would like to organize your kitchen. Perhaps your priorities are your family and health and your goals are to save money and live more simply. Some steps in creating this would be de-clutter your cabinets, streamline your kitchen tools, create meal plans, and create a grocery checklist. By taking the steps to organize your kitchen you can save time and money while improving the overall health of your family and creating and happier place for you.

Throughout 2008 I will share little tidbits on how to organize your home and life. Please feel free to ask questions and add your own comments and tips. May the New Year bring simplicity and contentment to your life!

Betsy

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER–ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Dear Geralin,

I recently started reading Clever Parents and thoroughly enjoy your organizing video clips and articles; these are the next best thing for some of us who don’t have our own professional organizer. I have 2 toddlers and don’t have a lot of time to research how to hire an organizer. If I were to hire an organizer, what should I ask when interviewing, and where do I find one?

Ava

Dear Ava,

Personally, I would look for someone who is diplomatic, empathetic, willing to listen, non-judgmental, creative, patient, and trustworthy. Also, I would look for a truly professional organizer who is involved in NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers in the USA (www.napo.net) or, for our northern neighbors, Professional Organizers in Canada (www.organizersincanada.com). In addition, many states have their own chapter(s). For example, in my home state of North Carolina, the local chapter’s website is: www.naponc.org.

As for your question about interviewing a professional organizer, I believe you would want answers to the following:

1. What are your areas of expertise? (Some possible answers may include: clients with ADHD, time management, wardrobes and closets, financial matters, computer-related challenges, speaking, coaching, writing, estates, seniors, home staging, relocation, etc.)
2. Are you certified?
3. Are you insured?
4. Do you attend conferences or tele-classes and stay abreast of current trends and techniques?
5. Do you have local references? (You will want to know if your potential organizer has repeat clients who hire her again and again and have a history of working together with her.)
6. Do you belong to any professional organizations? (I would not hire a professional organizer who is not involved in some type of professional group or organization. To me, a professional affiliation demonstrates not only a commitment to her field but another way to check her out among other business-minded individuals.)
7. How long have you been in business?
8. What hours do you work? What days of the week are you available? (Make sure that this person’s availability is a good match for your availability.)
9. Do you bring the necessary supplies, or do I purchase them separately?
10. If you purchase supplies or materials at a discount, do you charge an “up charge” or an hourly shopping fee?
11. Do you make arrangements to take away any donations, consignments, and trash? If so, do you charge a fee for this service?
12. Do you work alone or do you have a team of employees or subcontractors, if necessary?
13. Do you have advertising on your car? (Ask this only if you do not want co-workers or neighbors to know you are hiring a professional organizer.)
14. Do you take photographs on my property (or, at my business)? (Again, if privacy is a concern, a professional organizer who takes photographs may not be the one for you.)
15. What is your fee & how do you charge? (Of course, I don’t need to tell you to inquire about fees! Many options may be available, including hourly, by-the-project, or bulk rates. Ask also about possible cancellation fees, whether a minimum number of hours is required per booking, consultation fees, etc.)

Finally, please remember that professional organizers are not housekeepers, therapists, decorators, or nurses unless they specifically tell you that their credentials include these jobs in addition to being a professional organizer. According to NAPO, a professional organizer:

. . . . enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. A professional organizer also educates the public on organizing solutions and the resulting benefits. Professional organizers help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper, and their systems for life.

Best of luck finding the professional organizer who best suits your needs!

What: flip & tumble Reusable Shopping Bags

Why: We’ve seen our fair share of reusable shopping bags lately, but so far the flip & tumble is my favorite. It’s made of nylon ripstop, so it’s extremely lightweight, and when you’re not using it to haul up to 20 pounds of stuff, you can roll it up into a ball the size of a compact mirror. So it can live in your purse without hogging up a lot of room.

I’ve had mine for a few weeks and I love it. I’ve used it to bring home restaurant leftovers, library books, and I even picked up a ton of mail that was on vacation hold. And I can’t go anywhere without someone asking me where they can get one. Now you know.

Price: $15 (in teal, brown, lime and black)

Find it: flipandtumble.com

After being evacuated from our home in Poway, California due to the recent wildfires that struck (and in some instances devastated) our community, I learned (and re-learned) valuable lessons I’d like to share with you. And perhaps my lessons learned will resonate with you or help remind you of what is important in your life.

The 5 Most Valuable Lessons I Learned from the Fires

1: Nothing is more important than family.

2: Everyone reacts differently when faced with a crisis, and it’s important to accept and respect each others differences. For example, to deal with the stress I sought internal relief and withdrew from talking about the situation, whereas my husband drew external comfort from talking with friends and family. The more accepting we are of our differences the more connected you’ll feel to each other.

3: What we valued the most, besides our boys and our cats, were the things we could carry with us: two suitcases of clothes for us and the boys, our photo albums and important papers. We left everything else.

4: Children adapt easier than adults. As long as play is involved they can have a good time anywhere. For example, because the air quality was so bad, they couldn’t play outdoors, so we took them to an indoor shopping center. My boys had the best time climbing stairs and “riding” the escalator. Their laughter brought out the child in me and temporarily vanished my stress.

5: I don’t need to work as hard or do as much. The most valuable time is the time I spend with my family. There’s nothing so important that I have to work hours on end to complete a task. My new personal rule is computers off by 7 p.m. Now I can spend more quality time with my kids, husband or have more relaxation time for myself.

I heard Maya Angelou once say that when faced with a challenging situation say, “thank-you” because when you come out of it you experience growth and a deeper understanding of what is really important. Through this experience I realized that it’s not the “things” or working hard to achieve greater success that really matter, it’s the quality time we share with those we love.

Did you know that it takes approximately 1,000 years for a single plastic grocery bag to biodegrade in a landfill?

Here’s an easy way to help the environment and send a gentle message in the process. Pick up a few heavy duty canvas ‘Paper, Plastic or ME?’ re-useable bags and help do your part the next time you’re grocery shopping. The bags measure 16″ high by 18″ wide and hold approximately as much food items as three regular sized plastic grocery bags.

Ellen and Michael McNeil became interested in conservation when gasoline prices skyrocketed in mid 2006. “Rather than complain about it we decided to do some research on what impacts gas prices,” says Ellen. “We found the topics of energy, global warming, and conservation so compelling that we decided to take action. We created a website, www.NRGawareness.org, as our way of raising National, Regional, and Global (NRG) awareness of conservation issues.”

The duo went on to design an apparel line including sweatshirts, polo shirts, tee shirts, caps, and patches to help adults spread the word about NRG Awareness and conservation. And as ideas tend to spawn more ideas and action, the thought of teaching conservation habits at an early age – even before kindergarten – came to mind. “Our research showed that conservation is a topic of conversation on Earth Day or Arbor Day, but not many more,” says Ellen. “We believe that’s really not enough for the conservation message to get through.”

MyConservationBaby.com was born as a way to educate future conservationists to see the value of conservation and being eco-conscious. Find Paper, Plastic or ME? bags at My Conservation Baby along with a full line of onesie gift sets silk screened with conservation-inspired messages – available in regular and 100% organic cotton, of course.

There’s even a line of conservation wear for Fido, so be sure to check out all the goods at www.myconservationbaby.com

Watch the Clever Parents TV Vidcast Episode #34 featuring My Conservation Baby.

Watch Geralin Thomas of Metropolitan Organizing share tips for saying no to the constant stream of requests for your time without burning bridges. The Danger Rangers make safety a fun topic for kids. Plus, Kids Central Kitchen makes healthy and delicious snacks for kids that they can make!

See Vidcast #33 on Clever Parents TV.

• Visit the OH! Organizing Hints column on Clever Parents
• Visit the Metropolitan Organizing website at www.metropolitanorganizing.com
• Visit the Danger Rangers website at www.dangerrangers.com
• Visit Kids Central Kitchen at www.kidscentralkitchen.com and use code CLEVER for 10% off your first order. Free shipping for orders $50 or more

NOTE: This video is a large file so we can bring you better quality sound and visuals. If your computer is not on a fast connection or if the video ‘hangs up’ when you attempt to watch it, view a lesser quality option of the video here.

See Vidcast #33 on Clever Parents TV.

Nobody ever said parenting was easy, but here are some practical tips for how to worry less and enjoy parenting more.

Find a pediatrician you like. In many ways, your pediatrician is like a partner. In fact, some women say that during the first couple of years, they talked to their pediatrician more than their husbands! Choose a pediatrician who offers practical advice and knows how to listen. Remember, there are no dumb questions when it’s about your child. Also, it is a good idea to interview several pediatricians and choose the one that best matches your childcare philosophies.

Incorporate time-saving products and services into your daily routine, when you can. Without a doubt, parenting is one of the richest and most satisfying roles we play. It is also filled with repetitive, routine tasks that can zap our best energy. There has been an explosion of modern conveniences designed to save you time and sanity. For example, tear-free shampoos can help avoid bath-time battles; home-cooked meal delivery services ensure a nutritious dinner on the table. Of course, some of these luxuries may not fit in your budget, but decide where it makes sense to invest a little money to gain some time to do things that matter to you. Who said busy moms can’t read a book, take a long leisurely bath, or go to a yoga class? Balance each day to include something you enjoy. Time saving tools can help.

Plan ahead for tomorrow. To make your morning less hectic, spend a few minutes at night making tomorrow’s bottles and cups, picking out clothes, packing an “on the go” bag, etc. Make a to-do list so you don’t forget important errands. If your children are in pre school or older, let them participate in this routine. In the course of managing your time well, you are teaching them valuable skills such as planning ahead, organizing, and problem solving.

Establish a predictable night-time routine and create comforting rituals. Reading, singing or a warm bath at the same time each night will help your child understand it is time to go to sleep. Let your child use a safe comfort object to provide security. Keep an “open door” policy to make your child feel connected to you at night. The cuddling and intimacy of your evening routine will help your child say good bye until morning as well as create precious memories for you. With older children past the “read-me-a-story” stage, take a few minutes to relax with them. Most importantly, before you leave their room, tell them how much you love them and how glad you are that they are yours…no matter what kind of day it’s been.

Avoid power struggles. Children don’t want to interrupt their playtime to do something we care about, like putting toys away. Help your child cooperate with you by easing into transitions with plenty of notice, by allowing them to make choices (“Do you want to put this sock on first or the other one?”) and by turning routine tasks like getting dressed into games and contests. You may not want to see the world through your child’s eyes when you are in a hurry. But, that extra minute you invest can mean the difference between a temper tantrum and a hug.

Play is a powerful antidote to stress. I always say, “Where there is flexibility and forgiveness, fun’s not far behind.” Forgive yourself for the unfolded baskets of laundry and the leftovers for dinner. Design flexible schedules for yourself and don’t let your to-do lists push you around. Parenting offers wonderful opportunities to rediscover and enjoy the child within you. Playing and laughing with your children not only deepens your relationship with them, it lightens your load and reduces your stress.

WRONG! Think again. There is actually cause for GREAT concern due to a cancer causing chemical: 1,4-dioxane that has been found in many of today’s children’s bath products. Keep in mind that a baby’s skin (the largest organ on their body) is five times thinner than that of an adult. With that being said, we are all familiar with “The Patch” – that is placed on our skin for either hormone therapy or to assist you in quitting smoking. The reason why “The Patch” works so well is due to the level of absorption of the hormone/drug through the skin into the bloodstream. Whatever you put on your skin absorbs directly into your skin and then into your bloodstream. This same rule applies for babies and children, but, since their skin is five times thinner the damage that is being done to our children is five times worse!

A public health advocacy organization called EWG (Environmental Working Group) recently published a report on kids shampoos and body washes. Their report was a real eye opener. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that several of these washes and shampoos that we assumed to be safe for our children contain 1,4-dioxane which they refer to as a “probable human carcinogen.” Dr. Philip Landrigan, professor of pediatrics and founder of the Center for Children’s Health and the Environment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, states that “Infants and children, whose brains are still developing, are more vulnerable to chemicals than adults are – so why take the risk?” My feeling is why should ANYONE in our family be exposed to this risk? It is up to us, as informed parents, to avoid chemicals like 1,4-dioxane because the FDA doesn’t regulate chemicals in bath products.

Just what is 1,4-dioxane? It is a petroleum-derived contaminant considered to be a “human carcinogen” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The National Toxicology Program clearly states that it is an animal carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane is on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects!

What is even worse and is cause for total outrage is the fact that these companies, who I so lovingly refer as “The Big Guys”, will spend significant amounts of money on “entertainment” licensing agreements that entice parents and hook children into buying these bath products, yet won’t spend a single penny to REMOVE these contaminants like 1,4-dioxane.

Did you know that the FDA has been measuring 1,4-dioxane levels since 1979 and it hasn’t been until the year 2000 that they recommended that cosmetic products should not contain concentrations of this chemical that are greater than 10ppm (parts per million)? An independent testing laboratory that specializes in trace chemical analysis called West Coat Analytical Service produced this enlightening report. Please notice the levels of concentration of 1,4-dioxane:

Disney Clean as Can Bee Hair & Body Wash (Water Jel Technologies) 8.8ppm
Disney Pixar Cars Piston Cup Bubble Bath ( MZB Personal Care) 2.2ppm
Gerber Grins & Giggles Gentle & Mild Aloe Vera Baby Shampoo 8.4ppm
Hello Kitty Bubble Bath (Kid Care) 12ppm
Huggies Baby Wash Shea Butter 4.0ppm
Huggies Natural Care Baby Wash Extra Gentle and Tear Free 4.2ppm
Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Wash (Johnson & Johnson) 5.3ppm to 6.1 ppm
Johnson’s Kids Tigger Bath Bubbles (Johnson & Johnson) 5.6 ppm to 7.9ppm
Johnson’s Kids Shampoo Watermelon Explosion (Johnson & Johnson) 10ppm
Lil’ Bratz Mild Bubble Bath ( Kid Care) 3.7ppm
L’Oreal Kids Orange Mango Smoothie Shampoo 2.0ppm
Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath Gentle Formula with Aloe 1.5ppm
Rite-Aid Tearless Baby Shampoo 4.3ppm
Scooby-Doo Mild Bubble Bath (kid Care) 3.0ppm
Sesame Street Wet Wild Watermelon Bubble Bath ( The Village Company) 7.4ppm

And let’s not forget us Moms…!!!…Take a look at these few Adult Bath Products that were tested:

Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo 23ppm !!
Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins (normal skin) 23ppm !!
Suave Naturals Passion Flower 2.0ppm

I truly believe that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and that AWARE PARENTS make all the difference when it comes to making healthy skincare choices for our families.For more information on pure,safe and effective skincare for your family, feel free to visit: www.lovemebabyme.com.

I want to propose a CHALLENGE to each and every parent that reads this article…………………………..
Go to your bathrooms!!!..Make that decision!!!…Check and see what is in the products that you are currently using. EMPOWER yourselves by choosing products that are free of chemicals like: parabens, propylene glycol, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulphate and 1,4-dioxane…I want to hear from you…and for each and every person that responds to this article and shares what they found…with me (on my CONTACT US page of my website)… when they examined the products in their BATHROOM CHALLENGE – they will automatically be entered into my Love Me Baby Me ”Giveaway” !! I will take all entries until September 14th at midnight PST. On the 15th of September, I will randomly pull a name and the the winner will receive my Gift Set Collection of my entire product line (A $104.95 value)! Go ahead… I CHALLENGE you…and I look forward to hearing from you all !!!

Until next time…”Happy Parenting!!”
Rosemary Anthony

Clever Parents Seal of Approval
With so many products on the marketplace, how is a parent to know which to trust and buy? The Clever Parents Seal of Approval is your answer to this daunting question. The seal is not reached by marketing or advertising executives; there are no test kitchens or teams of decision makers. The Clever Parents Seal of Approval is reached by certain criteria and is a simple recommendation from one Clever Parent to another.
As a busy mom and professional organizer, I want products that work well and are as advertised. The following are the set of criteria in which I judge each item:

• Budget or Luxury Item
• Family Friendly (safe for the family, pets, and environment)
• Truth in Advertising
• Practicality and Versatility
• Any town or Specialty product

The Review:

Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover

Budget or Splurge Item: Budget

Family Friendly (safe for the family, pets, and environment) product: Yes!! This product’s trademark phrase is “Powered by the Air You Breathe, Activated by the Water You Drink^TM.” According to information on their website and from my own testing, I found Oxiclean to be odorless and containing no toxic chemicals, cleaning solvents, or harmful abrasives. As with any product, please read the caution and first aid sections on the back of the product before using. In addition, make sure you test an inconspicuous area first and be sure to check with the manufacturer instructions on items that you plan on cleaning with this product. Interested in the science behind Oxiclean? I found this link quite interesting: http://oxiclean.com/science.asp?MainNav=Family .

Truth in Advertising: Although the initial appearance of this product makes the assumption that it is for the laundry room, it boasts of 101 different stain fighting uses throughout the house. Throughout the past week, I got to test quite a few different uses and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Following the usage guide http://oxiclean.com/usage/P151616A05.asp (which is also placed on the back label of the package) I added it as a booster with my regular laundry detergents for whites as well as colors (this product is chlorine free), I cleaned a spot on the carpet, and I got rid of a lingering tea stain on the countertop. In addition, I took it outside to tackle some of my patio furniture. This product proved to be both a stain remover and quite versatile! A few of my more difficult stains required repeated treatment, but the product still proved quite easy to use and effective!

Practicality and Versatility: Since “versatile” is in the name of this product, one can imagine that it is a multipurpose and practical product, which I found it to be!

Any town or Specialty product: This product can be easily found in stores and on their website at http://oxiclean.com/151616A05products.asp?MainNav=Products&SubNav=Versatile

From one Clever Parent to another: In my opinion, if you are looking for a budget friendly, safe and versatile product to use throughout your home, this may be the product for you!

Seal of Approval: AWARDED!
As always, please refer to the product’s instructions and warnings. The above are just the opinions of Betsy Kramer and may differ from your own experience with this product. There are no endorsements of this product, guarantees or warranties of any kind offered by Clever Parents or Betsy Kramer and Cash in Clutter.

Do you remember what you spent on your last tube of toothpaste? Was it on sale or did you pay full price (gasp!). The average tube of name brand toothpaste is $3.00. That is about $3.00 too much for me! I can’t remember the last time I paid more than a few cents for toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, or body wash. Don’t be alarmed – our family still uses all of those items daily. In fact, not only do I find fantastic deals on health and beauty products, but many of the best deals are for higher priced national brand products. Smart spenders know that many national drug store chains offer excellent buys on health and beauty items through in-store promotions and rebates. The secret is to use these promotions to stock up and never pay full price again.

Drug stores chains including CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens offer rebate promotions that result in free and almost free products every week. Each chain has weekly and monthly deals that include rebates on name brand items as well as store brand products. The weekly sales begin on Sundays and end on Saturdays. Last week, hand sanitizer was free after rebate at Walgreens. Colgate toothpaste and Lady Speed Stick deodorant were only 13 cents at Rite Aid using manufacturer’s coupons. By combining sales and coupons, Schick women’s razors are free this week at CVS.

With different store promotions offered each week, your best bet is to choose those deals that appeal to you most. Nobody wants to drive all around town looking for every deal. Focus on the great buys for your family’s needs. The more flexible you are with brands, the more money you will save. If you are willing to use Crest, Colgate and Aquafresh, for example, chances are good you will be able to buy at least a couple free tubes per month. Even if you are somewhat brand loyal, you will still find many good deals on the brands you love with these promotions.

Following is a description of the rebate promotions for Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS. To see the weekly and monthly promotions for each store, go to their websites at www.cvs.com, www.walgreens.com, and www.riteaid.com. Sale ads and rebate booklets are available at your local store, as well. If you are not sure which of these stores is in your town, go to the store websites and click on store locator. Enter your zip code and you will see a list of the stores closest to you.

Walgreens offers a traditional rebate program. They publish the monthly Easy Saver Catalog rebate booklet. Buy the promotional items listed in the catalog, send in the rebate form and receipt and receive a check in the mail. You can also request your rebate in the form of a Walgreens gift card and they will add an additional 10% of your rebate amount on to the gift card. If your rebate amount for the month is $20 and you choose to receive your rebate on a Walgreens gift card, they will add an additional $2 (10% of $20) for a total rebate of $22. Then, each month, you pay for your rebate items using your Walgreens gift card you earned from the rebates in the previous month. This is called “rolling” your gift card so you have very little out of pocket expense from month to month. You simply use the gift card from the last month’s rebates to pay for the current rebate items. You send in the rebate form for the month all at once and there is one rebate per household per month. Easy Saver Rebate Catalogs can be seen online at http://www.walgreens.com/store/rebateclub.jsp and can be found in the store.

Rite Aid also offers a traditional rebate program with a rebate booklet that shows the available rebate deals. The biggest difference is that you can request your rebate online at https://riteaid.rebateplus.com/ instead of sending it in via snail mail. You can also check your rebate status at anytime from the Rite Aid website. Rite Aid just bought out Eckerd and Brooks and they are currently changing over those stores to Rite Aid stores.

CVS has a fantastic rebate program that offers ECB’s (Extra Care Bucks) instead of a cash rebate. ECB’s are CVS store coupons that print out at the end of a qualifying sale and can be used to purchase almost anything in the store (except prescriptions, stamps, tobacco and a few other items). For example, Aquafresh Advanced toothpaste was on sale last week for $2.99. There is also an ECB August monthly promotion that offers $2.99 in ECB’s when you buy one of the Aquafresh Advanced toothpaste tubes. If you use the $2.00 Aquafresh Advanced manufacturer’s coupon from the 7/08/07 Sunday newspaper, you will pay 99 cents plus tax for your toothpaste. At the end of the sale, on the bottom of your receipt, you will then receive your $2.99 ECB coupon. The smart CVS shopper will then turn around and “roll” that ECB into another ECB deal to earn more ECB’s lowering the out of pocket expense. Recently, CVS also offered a $20 ECB when you bought $20 of Kraft, Nabisco and other products. So, if you bought $20 in qualifying products (such as Planters peanuts, DiGiorno pizza, Post cereals, Wheat Thins), a $20 ECB coupon printed out at the end of your receipt that can be spent on anything in the store. You also earn $1 in ECB’s for every 2 prescriptions that are filled at CVS. For a much more in depth tutorial of CVS ECB’s see Hot Coupon World at http://hotcouponworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28157.

Remember to read all the rebate details before buying an item at any store. Make sure the rebate is still valid and that you are purchasing the correct brand and size. When filling out rebate forms, be sure to follow all the directions on the form including circling rebate prices on the receipt or enclosing UPC’s. Whenever you are sending in any rebates to drug stores or manufacturer’s, make sure you keep a copy of all the information you sent. If your rebate is lost in the mail or there is a dispute, you will need the copies. Most drug store rebates take 4-8 weeks to receive except the weekly ECB’s from CVS, which print immediately.

Now it is time to take a look at your weekly sales flyers and rebate booklets and discover what you can purchase for pennies this week.

Problem: Your baby loves to swing, but you’re less than thrilled about the hygienically challenged swing at the park – especially during fall when germs seem to descend on all people three feet and under. Problem solved: No more worries about carting around the Purell and wipes to clean off bucket swings, The Swing Scarf has you – and the swing – covered.

The Swing Scarf is the clever invention of Dottie Foley, a Clever Parent of two young children. “The very first time I put my daughter into a park swing, she leaned over and put her cute little mouth all over the front of the swing,” says Dottie. “YUCK was all I could think and then I thought, I need something to put over the swing to keep her from the germs and dirt on the swing.” Dottie looked for a product that covered the swing nicely and also easily fit into a diaper bag. Finding none, she decided to design her own and The Swing Scarf was born.

Recommended for babies 5 months old to toddlers two years of age, The (patent-pending) Swing Scarf is a large rectangular piece of fabric with leg holes sewn in the middle. Simply place the reversible cover into the swing, line up the leg holes of the fabric with the leg holes of the swing, fold the excess fabric over the sides, and you’re all set for baby to swing germ-free! Plus, The Swing Scarf comes with a wrap-around band in the matching fabric so you can fold it up and store it without taking up all of the room in your diaper bag.

Pick from 22 cute fabrics and buy yours at www.theswingscarf.com

It’s back-to-school time. We’ll share with you a great video to help prepare your kids for their first day at kindergarten, a magazine for kids you should know about and some very clever lunch bags. Plus, tips for easing August school jitters and, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Clever Parents t-shirts are now on sale!

See the vidcast!

• Visit the Kindergarten Countdown site at www.kindergartencountdown.com
• Visit the Tessy & Tab site at www.tessyandtab.com
• Cool lunchbags for kids at www.lunchology.com
• Read the Lunchology parentrepreneur feature on Clever Parents.
• School is Coming! Ease those August school jitters with family fun.
• We know you’re clever. Now everyone else can know, too. Clever Parents t-shirts now on sale.
• See vidcast #29 on Clever Parents TV.

The age-old battle rages on, doesn’t it?! I can remember when my sister and I were young mothers and we were visiting her and her family on our vacation. I was in awe of how her children “just went to bed” when it was bed time! They actually went to bed . . . and stayed there. Then they went to sleep and we never heard a peep out of them! Wow! I was so impressed!

I must admit, I thought they should have had a bed-time story, and a drink of water, and a kiss good night, and then to be tucked in and hugged . . . and given another kiss good night . . . and maybe one last trip to the “potty.” Sound familiar? Needless to say, I learned a lot from that visit to my sister’s house.

Twenty some years later, she still gets high marks for her parenting. My sister has five children, and I have “only” two, so many of her parenting techniques were probably adopted out of sheer self-preservation! In any case, both of us had, and continue to have, very high standards for parenting. Her oldest son has been working in Africa with the Peace Corps. My oldest child just graduated from college with degree in Government and International Politics with a bunch of fancy concentrations and minors attached. We have different parenting styles and attitudes, but so far, all of our kids have turned out pretty well. I always say that happens in spite of our best efforts!

Bedtime. Most of us don’t even want to go there. How do you get kids to go to bed within a reasonable time frame? Then how do you get them to stay there?

Routine. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things – from my sister and others – about children’s bed time. As in every other area involving children, the most important thing is to establish a routine. Kids don’t like change. They want and need a routine so they know what is expected and what’s next. They also don’t like not having limits, contrary to all indications otherwise. In other words, they want and need you to be the adult!

Bath, brush teeth, story, drink of water, kiss goodnight. Whatever your family’s bedtime routine is, stick to it! If you don’t have a routine, establish one and tell the kids there are new rules for bedtime. Story time may take place in the child’s bed, or be rotated between the children’s rooms each night. Perhaps you have story time in the family room, all together on the sofa. This is a great time to snuggle and help your child and you unwind from the day.

Next, everybody gets tucked in. Monster checks may be required. I have one clever friend who gave each of her children a “magic” flashlight when they began to complain that monsters were in the closet or under the bed. She told them the monsters are afraid of the light, and if they turned on the flashlight, the monsters would run away. Their family “battery budget” did go up for several months, but their bedtime routine became a breeze.

Onesie. The important thing is to tell children that everything is a “onesie.” That means one story, one drink of water, one kiss goodnight. The first night the onesie rule is imposed will be the worse. Much crying may ensue. Your children will test you—repeatedly—especially if they’re used to several rounds of story, water, monster discussion, more water, etc. But if you ever plan to have a single evening of peace and quiet, with you and your children having a good night’s sleep, you must be strong.

Back in Bed. If they get out of bed, direct them back to the bedroom. (You will probably need to carry them back.) Tell them they may not get out of bed again. If they tell you they need to “go potty” again, tell them they may go one more time, after that if they need to keep going, they will wear a pull-up. In other words, counter all of their objections. Don’t argue with them. Just make it clear that you will not engage in hours-long debates or arguments.

Don’t scream. Don’t threaten. Just keep putting them back in their room. It will work, and it will be worth it. Be strong, and you will prevail!