How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew (22 page)

Step 1:
Spread a small blanket diagonally on a changing table or bed.

Step 2:
Fold the top corner down about 6 inches.

Step 3:
Lay the baby on the blanket, so the fold is just above the baby’s shoulders and the bottom point is in line with his toes. Say coochie-coo.

Step 4:
Gently holding the baby’s right arm to his side, pull the same side of the blanket across the baby, tucking the corner beneath his bottom.

Step 5:
Leaving enough room for the baby’s legs to extend, fold up the bottom point of the blanket toward the baby’s chin. If the blanket is too long, fold the bottom point down so it’s not covering the baby’s face.

Step 6:
Gently holding the baby’s left arm to his side, pull the final corner of the blanket across him and tuck beneath his bottom.

Step 7:
Pick him up and give him a sweet kiss.

• If you’ve got a particularly wild baby, good luck! Leave his arms free by folding down the top corner farther and aligning the fold under his armpits. When you fold up the bottom corner, secure it by tucking it into the other folds at the top.
  

Step 1:
Dig out an old pair of brightly colored (ahem, clean) stockings, and snip off one leg about 15 inches above the toe.

Step 2:
Stuff it with six pieces of crumpled paper, a baby fave for its noise and texture.

Step 3:
Knot off the end of the stocking, and trim the excess.

Step 4:
Cut five pieces of contrasting ribbon, in 8-inch lengths, and tie each segment around the stocking between each piece of paper. Secure each with a double knot.

Step 5:
Name your bug-a-lug, and present it to your babe.

Step 1:
Find a clean, empty coffee can.

Step 2:
Fill it with noisemakers, like beans, rice, or acorns.

Step 3:
Secure the can’s lid. Some heavy-duty tape, like duct tape, or even a few drops of super glue will keep it in place.

Step 4:
Wrap the canister in cheerful paper and securely tape the ends.

Step 5:
Set the rattle on the floor next to your babe. She’ll love to push it around, especially if she can crawl behind it.

• Don’t stress too much about making or buying the Perfect Baby Toy. Everything, even a cardboard box or a piece of paper, is new, and therefore stimulating. Besides, your baby will learn so much more from you than from anyone or anything else.
  

Step 1:
Allow your child to choose his favorite book. If he’s having trouble deciding, give him a choice between two.

Step 2:
Get cozy. Turn off all distractions, like the radio or television, dim the lights a bit (but not so dark that you strain your eyes), and tuck in your tyke, already washed, brushed, and dressed in pajamas.

Step 3:
Make it fun. Position the book so the child can see the pictures, and begin reading aloud slowly, using different voices for each character, if you can swing it.

Step 4:
Ask questions, preferably ones that don’t have right or wrong answers. For example: What would you do? What do you think happens next? Do you have any friends like that? Make it an interactive experience, not a quiz.

Step 5:
Kiss your child good night, tell him you love him, turn off the lights, and go relax.

• Steer clear of any scary stories, especially right before bedtime, or a little one may be joining you in your bed after the lights go out.
  

• Stick with the same book a few nights in a row; it’ll help your child develop his language skills more quickly.
  

• Join your local library (it’s free!) and choose your bedtime stories together.
  

Step 1:
Peek inside your fridge. If you spot any leftovers from last night’s dinner, just pack them up and, voilà, you’re done.

Step 2:
No leftovers? No problem. Just make a sandwich (with 3 ounces protein, 1 tablespoon fat, and lots of veggies) on whole wheat bread. Try turkey with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and mustard; or tuna with low-fat mayo and spinach; or peanut butter and jam with carrot sticks on the side. Pack the sammy in a washable reusable container or wrap it in aluminum foil (recyclable) or waxed paper (compostable).

Step 3:
Choose a piece of fruit for dessert.

Step 4:
Add a beverage to whet the whistle; pour 8 ounces skim milk or juice into a reusable thermos. Buying in bulk and using a thermos, rather than buying individual juice or milk boxes, will save money (and the earth).

Step 5:
Toss all of it into a reusable lunch box or satchel.

Step 6:
Slip in a sweet, handwritten note to show your love. Want to be a little less mushy? Try a joke. Here’s one: Two snowmen are
standing in a field. One says to the other, “Funny, I smell carrots, too!”

• If the meal includes anything perishable, stash it in an insulated bag or box and add a cold pack (or a baggie filled with ice) to keep it cool.
  

• If mornings are hectic, pack it the night before and stow it in the fridge.
  

• The more (naturally) brightly colored the meal (think green spinach, red peppers, orange carrots, etc.), the more nutritious it’s likely to be. Rainbows never tasted so great!
  

Step 1:
Assess what needs to be done around the house. Unless you want to be relegated to the status of family maid, understand that running a household is a group endeavor. Be sure to explain this fact to everyone under your roof. Persist, even if moaning ensues.

Step 2:
Make a chart for each family member, listing his chores down the side and the days of the week across the top.

Step 3:
Be realistic. When assigning chores, consider which tasks your child will be able to complete successfully and may also, possibly, maybe, even just a little bit, actually enjoy. If necessary, demonstrate the proper way to perform the duty and observe your child’s first attempt, offering plenty of encouragement along the way.

Step 4:
Give a check mark (or star or smiley face) for each completed task.

Step 5:
Review the chart at the end of each week to determine who has done their work.

Step 6:
Establish consequences. Reward those who’ve successfully completed their tasks and eliminate privileges for those who haven’t. And stick to it, despite any and all fits and wails. If you don’t, the entire system will fall apart.