Tricks of the Trade. 1.
A friend of mine is expecting her second baby any day now.
And she asked me a version of a question I have been asked many times before.
She said,
“With six kids, do you finally feel as if you’ve got this? “
You know – if I have this parenting thing down pat.
We both laughed.
I said,
“Well, by six kids I think you realize that you don’t have anything down, but you just no longer care who knows that you don’t have it figured out.”
And that’s true for me.
I don’t have anything down pat because few things ever seem to stay the same, from month to month, from season to season, from kid to kid.
And that’s the serious, real, true answer.
That’s the heart answer.
But the logistics of raising many children? The planning and organization of caring for six dependents in one home?
Well, I wouldn’t say that I have that down pat, but I do think I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade over the years.
And I’m sure you have too.
Which brings me to this little idea for today’s post – and hopefully some future posts.
Tricks of the Trade.
Little simple ways of doing life that make your days easier. Lessons you’ve learned through trial and error. Coping skills. Budget-cutting tricks.
You know what I’m talking about.
Let’s conquer one a post.
I’m not necessarily talking about profound moments here – more like tiny “eureka” occasions.
And today’s trick of the trade, nugget of truth, helpful hint (any more synonyms?) is this:
Never allow any beverage other than water in a water bottle.
Particularly a metal water bottle – like the Sigg bottles our family is so fond of using.
There are few things worse than discovering a water bottle full of milk in July. That guy’s ruined forever.
And if, by some horrible chance, said water bottle filled with milk happens to spill past its spoilage date?
Oh, horrors!
Oh – and maybe not worse but equally disturbing – your toddler discovers the water bottle full of what was formerly known as grape juice after it has spent the summer rolling around in the underbelly of your suburban and you realize that warm grape juice, really warmed grape juice for many months in a metal Sigg bottle sort of smells – and tastes – like cheap hot wine.
That’s bad.
The water bottles for water only rule will inevitably save you and your children from bad tasting water and ruined containers.
And there you have it – the first installment of Tricks of the Trade.
What tricks do you have up your sleeve this week?
5 Comments
Alicia
I just bleached a cup full of sippy cup valves that were getting mildewed (I know, gross) from not being found and washed immediately. Good as new. And a vinegar soak will beat most nasty odors. Our water bottles are color coded too, so that I can tell who left theirs behind. I just happen to have four kids and most of the dollar store water bottles seem to come in four colors. I have a friend with seven kids that took it down to one sippy straw cup per kid. Each has their own design, and if they want a drink, they have to have their cup. It's working for her. I'm afraid my littlest one might have to go several days without drinking if I tried that.
Allie P
We once had a putrid-dead-animal type of odor downstairs. After about a week of searching for a dead animal under the house and under the washer/dryers, lighting candles, spraying lysol…etc…we finally discovered a cup of milk, probably weeks and weeks old, in the baby toys toy box. We didn't have any babies, so the box wasn't used very much. We pretty much threw the ENTIRE box and all the contents away. I think I saved 2 or 3 baby toys that could be sanitized that had sentimental attachment.
Also, we take water bottles (with ONLY water) everywhere we go. This also helps us to avoid high costs of purchasing water or drinks while we're out and about.
I'll think about some more tips of the trade while cooking.
Gretchen
Ha ha ha………….man, I totally agree…………totally that is what ours are for too, nothing else unless I do not have any others clean……………. 🙂 My tricks which I am sure I share with many: shoes go in the basket upon entering house or when you take them off, so that everyone can find their shoes, or just keep them in the car. Another, if you take your clothes off any other place than your room you have to pick them up and put them in your room, in the laundry, or back in your dresser. If you make the mess you have to pick it up and you may ask your family members for help, but they may say no. 🙂
shelley
Great trick of the trade!! Where were you 15 years ago? I think I'm going to love these little "tricks" posts : ) !!
LaceyKeigley
I imagine you have a pretty impressive bag o' tricks too. 🙂