Tag: organization

Tips for Packing a Cooler for the Family Road Trip

Whether your family’s headed to the beach, on a road trip or doing a bit of camping this summer, you need to master the art of safely and effectively packing the family cooler. Not properly preparing or packing your food for the trip can mean more than just disappointing food. It can mean exposing your kids to harmful, possibly deadly bacteria. Here are helpful tips for packing the cooler and keeping it cool while your family enjoys some R & R in the great outdoors.

Preparing Food to Pack for the Road Trip

Consider pre-cooking food prior to your trip so you only need to reheat on the fire or camping stove. Better to avoid packing totally raw perishables, if you can.
Cool any food you’ll be putting in your cooler beforehand. It’s best to keep it refrigerated overnight so it’s good and cold before it hits the cooler.
Freeze items like juice boxes, meat and hot dogs so they can slowly thaw in your cooler.
Keep everything double-wrapped in plastic wrap and zipped in a Ziploc bag or in watertight containers to keep from cross contaminating.
If you are traveling with a bottle-fed baby, it’s safest to prepare and pack bottles of sterile water and have powdered formula pre-portioned so you can mix a bottle without fuss. You won’t have to worry about premixed bottles spoiling.
Whole fresh fruits and vegetables don’t need to be packed in the cooler, nor do pouches of baby food. You can throw them in a tote, saving room in the cooler.

Packing the Cooler for the Family Trip

For day trips, many families prefer using soft cooler bags, since they are light and easy to carry. For longer trips, choose heavier duty coolers. It’s a good idea to pack two – one for beverages and one for perishables. Not sure what cooler is for traveling? No worries, Spruce Eats has done all the work for you – here’s their list of the best coolers.
Pack your coolers with several inches of ice. You can make your own by filling half-gallon milk containers, large sealable freezer bags or water bottles 2/3 full with water and freezing. Solid ice blocks melt more slowly than ice cubes.
Keep loose ice (cubes) you want to use for drinks in a separate container so they don’t become contaminated.
Check out this handy infographic from BuzzFeed for smart packing:
How to pack a cooler via Buzzfeed

Keeping it Cold

Keep what you’re going to eat first at the top of the cooler, so you aren’t digging through the cooler and letting the cold escape.
For longer trips, keep a separate cooler for water and drinks. You’ll likely open that cooler more often, leaving the other to stay closed and cold.
Keep the cooler closed and in a shaded area for the best insulation.

If we’ve got you itching for a family trip and you could use some help finding a family friendly camping spot, check out our roundup of family camping favorites, which includes spots on both coasts and a few in between, too. The UrbanSitter Family Travel Pinterest Board is filled with pins from our blog and others, providing tips for safe and happy travel with kids. Go ahead – hit the road!

Source: The USDA web site provides valuable info on keeping perishables safe while traveling.

Need a sitter for the adults to go out and enjoy a nice meal while on your road trip? You can find a local sitter through UrbanSitter.

Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

Once your baby reaches the toddler stage, typically around the age of 1-3 years old, traveling becomes a whole new experience with its own unique challenges. Your child has become mobile, more expressive and innately curious and anxious to explore his surroundings. Your job is to not only get to and enjoy your destination, but to keep your travel buddy safe, comfortable and entertained. Follow our tips for easier travel with a toddler, and you’ll both have a wonderful trip.

Pack smart (which, unfortunately, doesn’t necessarily mean light).
You think babies require a lot of stuff, but now that you’re in the throes of the toddler stage, you’ll quickly see that the Baby Packing List has nothing on the whopping amount of toys, snacks, clothes and gear you’ll need to travel with your toddler. Here’s a handy pack list for tots we’ve found at BabyCenter and have revised after traveling with toddlers of our own:

Diapers – Bring extras in case of emergencies or delays. Potty training? We feel for ya. Regardless of what the experts say, rely on pull-ups, rather than new underpants for the plane ride.
Wipes – Not just for changing diapers. You’ll likely use them more for the endless spills, drips, and messy disasters that go hand in hand with toddlers. Also useful for cleaning and de-germing toilet seats, arm rests and restaurant tables.
Mat to put under your toddler during diaper changes – You have no idea where you might need to change a diaper.
Blanket(s) – Bring a few for comfort, shade, and warmth. Big scarves and wraps can do double duty, serving your needs as well as baby’s.
Plastic or reusable bags – Carry a variety of sizes for storing soiled diapers, clothes, and shoes.
Small bottles of disinfecting hand gel and toiletries – Buy travel sizes that can be stored in an easy-to-access tote or carry-on.
Tissues
Toys and books – Your child’s favorites, plus several new toys for surprises along the way. As lovely as it is to have a few books and crayons on hand, nothing beats a fully loaded iPad.
Your child’s favorite stuffed animal or blanket – Anything that provides comfort while away from familiar places.
Clothes, socks, and shoes – One to two outfits per day is a good guideline. Denim and dark colors are good for hiding dirt and stains. Prepare for weather changes by dressing in layers. Some parents swear by packing each outfit – a full change of clothes – in individual sealed bags for easy access.
Bathing suit – Lightweight and easy to pack, and you never know when it will come in handy.
Washable bibs
Sun hat and sunscreen
Sippy cups or bottles – Encourage your toddler to drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration, especially when flying.
Snack food – Don’t forget high-energy snacks for you, too.
Eating utensils
Nightlight – Helpful for your toddler and for you to locate him and the bathroom in a dark hotel room.
First-aid kit and child-proofing supplies – Think socket protectors.
Portable crib or bed – Think long and hard before planning to have a (squirmy) toddler sleep with you. If he doesn’t have his own bed or crib at your destination, bring a portable one.
Car seat for travel by car or plane – If you’re renting a car, you can call ahead and arrange to have one waiting with your rental.
Portable stroller – Can usually be gate-checked or stored in the overhead bin of an airplane. It’s extremely helpful, even for toddler’s who think they’ve outgrown the stroller. Plus it’s perfect for holding your bags as you navigate the airport.

Keep to your schedule.
Toddlers, like babies, are more content and adjust better to new surroundings when they stick to a familiar schedule or routine. While it’s not always possible to follow the exact routine you have at home, you can typically stick to meal, nap and bedtime schedules with some consistency. You’ll both be happier travelers if you’re well rested and well fed.

Build in extra time for short attention spans.
As much as you’d like to get to your destination as quickly as possible, it’s not reasonable to expect a toddler to sit quietly, strapped into a car seat in a car or waiting in long lines at an airport. Build extra time into your schedule so that you can have little, frequent breaks and distractions.

For instance, let him push a toy around the airport waiting room or ride the escalators a few times. Three-wheeled scooters are great for burning energy, and they are easy to transport. On long car rides, plan to stop frequently. Experts suggest planning the trip so that part of it takes place during nap time – when your child is awake, make rest stops every hour or two. Let him get out of the car to stretch, blow bubbles or kick a ball.

Incorporate time for yourself and time with your spouse or partner.
No matter how well you plan and prepare, travel with young children can be stressful and tiring. Give yourself a break by making time to take care of yourself and your adult relationships. Let Dad do solo duty for a bit while you take a nap or see the sights. You can both get a break and a chance to see the nightlife by hiring a sitter. Hotels can often recommend local babysitters, though it’s typically less expensive and more convenient to find and book a trustworthy sitter on UrbanSitter. You’ll have greater peace of mind leaving your child in a new sitter’s care after reading her profile and other parents’ reviews on the site.

Travel with your curious, squirmy toddler can be eye-opening and lots of fun if you’re prepared and patient. Before long, your tiny travel companion will become a big kid with a whole new perspective to bring to travel.

Traveling with a baby? Check out these tips for a stress free trip!

Looking for a babysitter or nanny while on vacation? Join UrbanSitter to find sitters at your vacation destination.

family travel organization toddlers

DIY Parents: How to Organize the Craft Supplies

There’s a distinct downside to having art- and craft-loving kids. Namely: all that art- and craft-making stuff. Not to mention, the pile-up of the arts and crafts themselves. Find yourself vacuuming up perfectly good beads because you just can’t stand the never-ending sprawl of them across the living room floor? Or secretly tossing projects-in-process into the trash, then pretending you have no idea what became of them when your kid asks? Then you’ve clearly hit your craft-clutter limit.

Never fear, you can take this matter firmly into your own hands. For tips on how to make sense of your mess, we turned to Mabel’s Labels founder (and mom of six), Julie Cole—a woman who knows more than possibly anyone about getting and staying organized.

Toss it. Before you can even begin to tidy up, you first need to assess what should stay and what absolutely needs to go. Markers that don’t work anymore, paint brushes that have lost their bristles, yellowing wads of craft paper—all this should be sent straight to the trashcan. Also remember that not every piece of art your kid makes is created equal. Assess each one honestly, then hold on to those that really mean something to you and your family, and the ones that exhibit that special kid-art-genius flair.

Sort it. Set aside a little time each night or every weekend to pick through the crafty “keep” pile. This is the time to find the stray colored pencils, the paint tubes that wound up under the bathroom sink, the buttons that somehow got mixed in with the souvenir seashells, and put them all to rights—each kind of thing in its own designated pile. You might find more things that need to be deaccessioned. You will certainly discover which items you’ll need to replace—and which you never want to buy again (glitter, anyone? We didn’t think so).

Set it up. If you didn’t have a dedicated crafting area before, designate one now. Or, reclaim an established area with force and conviction. Even apartment dwellers can eek out a little room on the coffee table that’s just for making things, and one shelf (or three) that’s just for craft storage. Maybe your über-crafty kid wants to turn over part of his or her room to the endeavor. In which case, you can reassign closet, desk, and shelf space there. The real work? Making sure that the craft space stays a craft space and that supplies don’t leak out all over the rest of the house.

Stash it. Now it’s time to put everything away. For the big stuff, like rolls of paper and ribbon, and paint and crayon sets, pick up or repurpose some bright, colorful plastic bins that will fit neatly on your shelves. Stash smaller items like beads, buttons, rubber bands, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners in lidded glass jars. Frequently-used items like markers and pencils and even paintbrushes can be stashed in table-top canisters. Give all your bins and containers a home within easy reach of your smallest crafter. And be sure to label everything clearly, for easy cleanup today and hopefully forever!

Photographs courtesy of Mabel’s Labels

crafts for kids diy how to organization urbanfamily urbansitter

Beach Trip? What Every Parent Needs to Know

By the time your kids are grown, you’ll have it all figured out. You’ll know exactly what to pack and not to pack for a family vacation, know how much to plan ahead and what to just let spontaneously happen – and will have finally mastered deflecting vacation meltdowns. No need to wait that long. Here is helpful advice, weaned from mistakes we as parents have learned along the way. From our collective family experiences, we bring you helpful tips to make this summer’s family trip to the beach the easy going, hassle-free family time you dream for.

Bring a meal for the night you arrive.
If you’re staying in a house or condo or have a hotel room with a kitchenette, plan to bring dinner to feed your family the first night of your stay. After traveling, especially if you are traveling with small children, the last thing you’ll want to do is fret over what to make for dinner. It may sound nice to celebrate the first night of your vacation at a local restaurant, but it’s not the night to expect children to sit quietly in another confined space. Stay in and enjoy a meal you’ve already prepared and transported with you in a small cooler, such as lasagna or a cold pasta salad. If you don’t have access to a kitchen, call for take-out and enjoy a picnic on the beach.
Plan for some time alone and book childcare ahead of time.
Although you’re undoubtedly looking forward to cherishing your time together as a family, it’ll be really nice to also have time to yourself or with your spouse, friend or other adults joining you on your vacation. If your family trip includes a nanny, grandparents or other family willing to help out with childcare, you’re golden. If you don’t have family along to help, check to see if your hotel has a kid’s program or find a sitter. UrbanSitter makes it easy to find a trusted sitter, even when you’re away from home. Book in advance so you have a night out to look forward to as part of your much deserved vacation. Sitters are also great for freeing up time to enjoy a round of golf, game of tennis, a spa appointment or even just quiet time poolside.

Bring quiet time activities.
Everyone is excited to be outside building sandcastles, playing in the waves, hanging at the pool or taking a family bike ride. Trust us – everyone will need a break from the sun. Bring activities for older kids to do while younger siblings nap, or for the whole family to do indoors or under a beach umbrella. Board games, a puzzle, printable word searches or coloring pages, a deck of cards, art supplies and plenty of good books will come in handy.

Don’t skimp on packing the toiletry and medicine bag.
In your effort to pack lightly – it is, after all, the beach – don’t go without items that make everyday life easier or more comforting. For instance, it’s far easier to comb a toddler’s windblown, pool-drenched hair if you have a detangling spray and shampoo designed to remove chlorine. It’s also nice to have a cooling aloe lotion for sunburn relief, your eye gel that makes you at least feel human after sleepless nights with an infant, and any other little luxuries you’ve come to rely upon. You also don’t want to be without a smartly packed first aid kit for any bumps, bruises, splinters, stings or fevers.

Make a stop en route to pick up healthy snacks and perishables.
Take full advantage of any refrigerator you have at your disposal by stocking it with healthy snacks, such as cheese sticks, milk and juice, fruit, yogurt and veggie sticks. You’ll appreciate having good food readily available to feed hungry kids, and won’t get caught relying on the mini bar selection of snacks or pricey restaurant choices. It’s also helpful to have quick breakfasts on hand, such as mini boxes of cereal or instant oatmeal packets, granola bars, bananas, and yogurt.

What are your beach trip must-haves? Share them with us in the comments!

advice for parents family travel organization parenting summer

7 Clever Ways to Organize Toys

The bounty of toys from Santa + the mountain of stuff your child already owned = one hot mess of kid stuff.

Yikes! How is a busy parent to make sense of the mess, let alone organize it? Fear not! With these helpful tips, you’ll have the toys organized in no time. The next time your child cries, “I’m bored!” or a new sitter asks where you keep the Legos, you’ll be able to save the day by quickly pulling out a game with all the pieces, Barbie’s other shoe (well, maybe), or a puzzle that’s been long forgotten and now feels brand new.

388163211_0fddcbe21f — Image via Compfight

1. Assess and Purge.

Now is the time to be ruthless. Organizational experts say you should part with one item every time you bring a new one into your home. You’ll likely find that you can do much better than that. Throw out anything that’s broken beyond repair, donate toys that your child has outgrown or lost interest in, and pack up and store toys for younger sibling. Another helpful plan – store a few toys for a rainy day. Even if they’ve been in your home for years, they’ll feel like new toys to your child when you bring them out of storage.

2. Replace old boxes and corral scattered pieces.

A ratty old box will sabbotage any organizing effort. Toss torn packages and corral game and puzzle pieces and instructions into easily stackable containers. These plastic boxes from Ikea are inexpensive and nicely sized. You can also use recycled baby wipes containers, plastic food storage or even Ziploc bags.

3. Make it easy to see and easy to find.

Before you choose a wooden box or a deep trunk for stashing your kids’ supplies, consider whether or not they’ll be able to see the contents. Often, if they can’t see it, they can’t find it. Use acrylic containers, such as these drawers, which are excellent for storing small pieces, like beads, Barbie clothes or stickers. Shoe holders, like the one shown below, are great for throwing over a door and corralling art supplies.

4. Label it.

Give everything a home by assigning it a place and putting a label on it. You can stick labels on containers or hang name tags on bins or baskets. If it’s labeled, there’s no mistaking where it goes.

5. Get down on their level.

For toy storage to work, it has to be easy for kids to access. Why not create a drawer that serves as a play space or race track you can simply slide under the bed when they are finished playing. If that’s not an option, think about wheeled crates or bins that slide under the bed, shelves placed low on the wall or cups for art supplies on a play table.

6. Make storage part of the décor.

Don’t make anyone search for ways to clean up. Incorporate storage into the decor by choosing furnishings that double as storage and display creative containers and collections as artwork.

7. Incentivize kids to help you keep it clean and clutter free.

It’s all about the Chore Chart. Even little kids can benefit from doing chores and can be assigned simple toy clean up duty. Download and print a chore chart that will work for your family from our Pinterest Printables Board, and post it so your kids can remember their assignments and track their progress. Laminate your chart and use a dry erase marker to check boxes.

Spend a few hours organizing your kids’ space, and your kids, your sitter and your sanity will benefit each and every day of the year!

UrbanSitter is an excellent resource for finding just the right babysitter.

home kids room design organization

How Technology Can Help Solve 5 Common Problems of Busy Families

You may be able to take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your struggle to navigate the often wild and rapid waters of everyday family life.

There are five common problems most parents confront in their day-to-day lives that can be at least alleviated, if not solved, with the help of an app. We’ve scoured, reviewed and talked with parents to find favorite apps that could bring a welcome, helping hand to your world.

Five Apps for Busy Families

1. Managing your family’s activities and calendars.

Chances are you have your preferred calendar method pretty down pat by now, whether it’s a paper day planner, Outlook, Facebook or another calendar you can access via your mobile device. All are tried-and-true, obviously effective methods of keeping your calendar. But when it comes to keeping track of calendars for several members of your family, you may benefit from taking it a step further.

A popular go-to calendar app is Cozi, an awesome solution for organizing your day-to-day calendar in a simple format, adding after-school activities, meals, to-do lists, chores, social events and more with ease. But, there’s a newcomer that’s caught our attention as a real productivity booster. UpTo is an app that streams public calendars, such as college and pro sports schedules, TV show schedules, new movie release dates, concerts and other important events you’d like to be reminded of, and lists them alongside your own events. So, you not only remember to take your son to the dentist, you also don’t miss the season premiere of your favorite TV show or your alma mater’s big game. You know, the important stuff.

2. Getting a decent dinner on the table.

Stop scouring the Web for what to do with those chicken legs you bought on sale or for that fantasy recipe that you’ll be able to whip up in minutes. Epicurious Recipe and Shopping List app is a one-stop-shop for nearly any recipe you could need.

It’s a virtual smorgasborg of more than 30,000 recipes pulled from around the world, all of which are divided into categories that are organized by skill level and theme such as Quick and Easy and Kid-Friendly. Not only can you find recipes on the go, you can also add ingredients to a shopping list and save your favorite recipes. It’s quick and easy to pull up the shopping list when you walk into the grocery store. You’ll be instantly prepared to pull off any dinner, last-minute throw-together or otherwise. If you prefer to have a hard copy of your recipes while you cook, there’s the Epicurious app for an HP printer that enables you to send recipes directly to your printer.

3. Staying connected with your spouse.

We’re a bit partial to this one, but it’s so good at simplifying your life as a parent, we have to toot our own horn and remind you of it again – The UrbanSitter iPhone App. It’s incredibly valuable to be able to find and book a babysitter, even exchange logistics with her, while on the go.

You simply use the app to see who is available to care for your kids when and where you need her, read profiles, check parent reviews, and send him or her an instant request.

It’s an app that can put the spontaneity back into your life, ensuring that you never have to turn down an invitation for a dinner with your spouse or a coffee with a friend.

4. Taking care of a newborn while juggling an already hectic life.

“Momnesia” may not be a medically documented condition, but forgetfulness and that feeling of losing track of what you were in the middle of doing is a reality for most parents – first-times and old pros, alike.

Keeping track of all the necessities, such as when and how you last fed your baby (bottle or breast), when you changed a diaper, how long your baby last slept, and when you need to do it all again is mind-boggling – especially to sleep-deprived, pulled-in-every-direction parents.

Baby Log is an ultimate baby log app. It holds unlimited data for all your baby’s activities, and can be used for multiple babies, too. Let it keep track of it all, so you can enjoy a bit of peaceful time with your baby, instead of fretting over the schedule. It also offers a nursing or nap timer, and provides a place to record milestone, growth or precious moments.

5. Archiving the memories so you don’t forget a minute.

When it comes to dealing with the masses of artwork and school projects that flood your home once you have a preschooler or school-age child, many parents are fans of Artkive. It allows you to take photos of your child’s masterpieces, share the work and archive it so you can show your grandkids what their Mom created when she was three.

But what do you do if your little one isn’t yet producing any art, yet the pressure of just keeping up the baby book is enough to put you over the edge? Meet Moment Garden. It’s an app that allows you to keep pictures, track weight and growth, record all trips to the doctor and keep first-time events of your baby on your phone, and privately share them with your closest family and friends. With a single click, you can even turn your Moment Garden into a Moment Book, a beautifully printed book like that baby book you never had time to finish!

We’d love to know which apps you find indispensable in the fight to keep your head above water in the fun, but sometimes frantic world of parenting. Give us a shout!

Find and book trusted babysitters at UrbanSitter.

advice for parents apps for kids hiring a babysitter home organization parenting

How to Organize, Display and Store Your Child’s Artwork

Feeling buried alive in an avalanche of artwork your child brought home from school this year? Don’t let parental guilt and sentimentality keep you from weeding out the best-of-the best and letting go of the rest. That way, you’ll be able to concentrate on the pieces that really make for lasting reminders of their youngest years.

Here’s what to do with the masterpieces that make the cut:

Curated Galleries

Sure, the side of your refrigerator works just fine for an easily interchangeable art display. It’s quick and easy to grab the tape or a few magnets and instantly switch from cottonball snowmen to fingerprint daisies. But, you eventually run out of space, and glitter glue and fingerpaint start to take over the kitchen. You need a gallery. Decide where it will reside – a breakfast area, front and center over the sofa, a hallway or maybe your child’s bedroom. There are several easy systems to choose, including:

Frames. Sure, it takes more work to frame art, but it certainly elevates the presentation and your child’s work can easily give the more expensive art in your home some stiff competition. If you’re planning on a gallery-style or grid approach to display, keep the frames the same or at least the same color or style for cohesiveness. You don’t need to break the budget.
- Simple frames from Ikea are a big hit – RIBBA frames. There’s also a picture ledge, if you don’t want to hang them.
- Pottery Barn carries a nice frame collection with hinged backs that make for easy change-outs.
- Wexel art frames feature a single panel of acrylic floating on cool silver wall mounts. Pairs of strong magnets hold art of any shape behind the acrylic.
  Wexel Art Frames

How to hang them: Here are several handy patterns for no-fail gallery style groupings, or go for a straight line down a hallway or a vertical line up a small swatch of wall. Too much work? Shelves or picture ledges are a great alternative.

Framed Family Gallery via Emily A. Clark

Big bulletin boards. It’s the low maintenance approach, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you know you’ll never find the time to frame and swap out framed artwork with new art, go easy on yourself and find a great, big bulletin or magnetic board. Martha Stewart shows us how to create a large bulletin board by stapling Flor carpet tiles to the wall.
Flor Carpet Tile Board via Martha Stewart
Curtain Rod Gallery via Apartment Therapy

Clothes lines. If you’re the sweet, homey type, go for a simple string or ribbon and use basic clothespins to hang art. If you like a cleaner, more contemporary look,check out this use of Ikea’s curtain wire system called Dignitet, which consists of the wire rod, corner pieces and the curtain ring clips.

Simple Clothes Line via Apartment Therapy

Apps to Help You Organize and Store Your Child’s Art

Artkive describes itself as a “clutter-free way to save and enjoy your child’s artwork.” We couldn’t agree more. The free app for iPhone and Android devices lets you take photos of your kids’ artwork and then tag, share, and organize a chronological art portfolio. You can take it a step further by creating a photo book, mug or other keepsake from any of the digitally saved art. Download app for IPhone Also available for Android.

Photo Books for Coffee Table Display

If you love the idea of organized, but need your children’s precious creations in hard form, rather than digitally stored, photo books might work well for you. Artkive lets you make photo books out of the photos you shoot with your iPhone. If you prefer to use your DSLR camera and you download your photos to a site such as Shutterfly, Shutterfly photo books are the perfect option. Good ’ole Shutterfly is great for its ease of use (especially if you already download your pics there), themes and frequent promotions that make it a wallet-friendly option. Simply shoot photos of your kid’s best works, and populate them into a photo book. You can take it a step further by adding photos of your child at milestone events, such as the first day of school, or the holiday pageant. Photo books are great to display and easy to store.

Art as Gifts

Rolling up a finger painting and sending it off in a mailing tube is a fantastic, heart-warming gift for an adoring grandparent. Have your child help select which pieces they’d like to give. Also give some thought to how else you might be able to use your children’s creativity as inspiration for other personal gifts. Cool Mom Picks featured an independent jewelry designer, Mia Van Beek of Formia Design, who creates super hip key chains, charms and bracelets from kids’ doodles. Check out her leather cuff to see what we mean by hip. You might just want to gift this one to yourself.

How do you make the most of your children’s artwork? UrbanSitter would love to hear your ideas!

arts and crafts for kids diy holidays organization