We have heard all about tricks and techniques for getting babies to sleep. Everyone has an “it worked for me” story. I may even post one or two parenting tips of my own about how to get little ones to sleep through the night.

But today that isn’t my problem. I only wish it were that simple. No - today my ten year old won’t sleep. Shall I say my patience is wearing a bit thin?

Parenting tips, anyone?

I have no idea why I am posting about this Darth Vader toothbrush Star Wars - on a parenting tips site, no less.

Perhaps because I live in a house full of Star Wars fans, including my daughter. They all would think this toothbrush is the best thing since sliced bread and probably brush a little longer as a result. Which I guess is what every mom is after.

I’m not sure how long I could stand the music before it drove me a bit batty, though. Since I am not familiar with this brand, it leaves me wondering what other catchy songs Tooth Tunes have paired with toothbrushes. Stay tuned for my next post about toothbrush holders - a nice way to store that Star Wars toothbrush.

Update: This contest is now closed.

Baby Gizmo Buying Guide Giveaway
I recently had the opportunity to review a book that is chock full of parenting tips for new moms and moms to be.

When I first heard of this book, I thought it would be all about recommendations for particular baby products that the authors found to be useful. But I was wrong. This parenting book is even better.

Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz, the authors, do not actually recommend any products. Instead they offer a parenting course of sorts to new moms and dads. You see, the sheer quantity of baby equipment that is available in stores today can easily overwhelm the uninitiated buyer. And parents to be don’t have a chance against the marketing campaigns of big business. Do they really need all that stuff?

That is the question that the authors aim to answer in The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide: From Pacifiers to Potties . . . Why, When, and What to Buy for Pregnancy Through Preschool.

Heather and Hollie carefully review every class of baby product imaginable. They discuss the pros and cons, what to look out for, what to avoid, and what to consider when making your purchasing decision. Brand names and equipment models come and go, so the authors make this parenting book timeless by never recommending a particular product. Rather they leave the choice up to the reader and give the reader enough information to make an informed decision.

It just so happens that I have two copies of this parenting book to give away. Leave me a comment on this post by midnight on June 1, 2008. As always you get an extra entry if you Subscribe to Parenting Tips at NeenMachine.com by Email. All entries are subject to my contest rules.

Allergy season has hit hard in this neck of the woods. It seems that everyone is suffering from itchy, watery, eyes and the sneezies. One long standing remedy for allergy season has been Zyrtec. And now that it is sold over the counter (OTC) it is available to everyone. But allergy medicines aren’t cheap. So when I see good Zyrtec coupons then I am going to pass them on!

Here is an offer that I found at drugstore.com. From now until July 11, 2008 you can save $4 on each bottle of Zyrtec 30 count or more. Shop through this link: Instant Coupons on drugstore.com. Just click & save!. You will be taken to the “instant coupon” page at drugstore.com. From there you choose the special offer on Zyrtec. When you click that link you will be taken to the order selection page where you can choose either a 30 count or 45 count bottle. Check add to bag and then you will see the $4 Zyrtec coupons subtracted off of the already discounted price of one bottle only.

At the time of this writing that puts the total cost of the 30 count bottle at $15.99 and the cost of the 45 count bottle at $22.99. That’s a pretty good deal - especially if you take advantage of free shipping on orders over $25. Of course, there is only one coupon per order and maybe even per address. I am sure that prices are subject to change without notice and all that. But I know that allergy sufferers will appreciate any Zyrtec coupons that come their way.

Parenting Tips: Healthy Snacks for Kids

My kids love to snack. They are always hungry. And being the good mom that I am I buy lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains - stuff that is good for them. Always with the best intentions. I walk through the grocery store with visions of baking healthy muffins and oatmeal cookies, tossing up delicious salads and blending frosty smoothies - all chock full of nutrition and “good” calories. Ha!

I arrive home from the store with bags (reusable, of course) full of healthy snacks - or actually raw materials that have the potential to become healthy snacks - no, really, let’s just call it bags full of work to do. It’s true, the healthiest foods take time to prepare. Pre-packaged snacks are often not as nutritionally sound as foods that take some time to get from fridge to table.

And more often than not, my good intentions go awry when one (or two, or three) week(s) later, I pull out some unrecognizable fruit or vegetable out of my produce drawer.

So now I am on a mission to provide healthy snacks for kids and reduce food spoilage as well. I have come up with a simple one, two method that does take time, but not as much as my original ambitions.

The first step is to set my sights low. No more grand plans of spinach souffle’s and the like. When I hit the produce department at the grocery store I buy fruits and vegetables that require minimal preparation. I shop when I know that I will have an hour or so at home afterwards available to “process” my groceries.

When I get home, I wash and cut and peel the produce I just bought. Carrot and celery sticks go into one container, washed grapes in another, strawberries that have been cleaned and hulled in another. And a bowl of apples, oranges, and bananas on the counter. If I buy a brick of cheese, I slice the whole thing and wrap it up. You get the idea.

One important rule on this road to healthy snacks. Never wash just one. If I buy a bag of apples, I wash all of them. A box of strawberries - the whole package gets prep-ed. This way something healthy is always at the ready when someone’s tummy gets rumbly.

Now I know, sometimes (once in a blue moon) I just might fall a smidgen behind and not have something prepared at that critical moment when my child is “dying” of hunger. In that case I try choose pre-packaged healthy snacks for kids like Cheerios Snack Mix or Fizzix Yogurt - just on those rare occasions mind you.