Lauren Norris | Murfreesboro, TN

Much of our family lives seven hours away, and with no airport nearby, we have to make the drive several times a year. To keep our 5-year-old son occupied we play the superhero matchup game, which consists of us taking turns throwing out two superheroes and debating which one would win in a match and why. It can get quite technical debating whose powers would win, which means less time asking, "Are we there yet?"

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Gigi Schwartz  | Whippany, NJ

My kids love peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. Unfortunately, their nursery school doesn't allow peanuts or other nuts school because of food allergies. Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Butter is the best alternative. It looks like peanut butter and tastes even better, plus it's low in fat and high in fiber. It makes both my kids and me very happy!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Joelle Dowe | Austin, TX

A week from today we are taking a nine- hour roadtrip to El Paso, Texas. My four-year-old is obsessed with "potty words" (PooPoo, Pottyhead, PeePee Mommie, etc.), so our game that really helps curb the potty words is that we say ALL the grossest (age appropriate potty words) and have a huge laugh! They get three miles to get them ALL out of their system and not get in trouble. So they say the grossest things a two-year-old and a four-year-old can say. Our cats constantly have hairballs so they say "hairball catbox stinky" or "throwup yuckie." Usually after all that potty talk we can go on to change the subject onto "I Spy" or some other more "mainstream" roadtrip game.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Angela Tung | Frankfurt, GERMANY

I love the convenience of microwave popcorn, but I'm not a fan of all the chemicals and preservatives in store-bought brands. So, I've come up with an easy way to make perfect popcorn without the additives (or the greasy pot): Mix desired amount of popcorn kernels with canola or olive oil (it also works without any oil).  Pour the popcorn mixture into a brown paper lunch bag.  Fold over top of bag so popcorn won't escape.  Pop in microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, and remove when the popping slows down.  Open the bag carefully and season with salt or your other favorite topping.  Pour into serving bowl or eat directly out of the bag, and enjoy!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Marialisa Calta | Albany, VT

There's lots of music for kids, but finally there's a CD specifically for parents...about parenting. Lewis Franco, a singer/songwriter from Vermont, has composed tunes that range from the hilarious to the poignant and speak directly to the parenting experience. Sample lyrics: "My kid once woke me/ just to tell me his age" (from "Rude Awakening") and "Brush your teeth/Brush your teeth Honey/Don't spit on your sister" (from "Honey Days"). When I put this CD on it brings me right back to those sweet "honey days" of parenthood.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Yvette Russo | Cape Coral, FL

I live in Southwest Florida so my 3-year-old son Evan and I go to the beach a lot. To ensure that we don't track sand into my car, I sprinkle baby powder anywhere Evan has sand on him and it just brushes off!"

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Erin Heston | Orlando, FL
I love Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer! It goes on smooth, covers minor imperfections and is SPF 20. And at about $40, it's an inexpensive way to combine foundation and moisturizer. With this, a quick sweep of mascara and a little blush, you're instantly put together and out the door fast!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Amanda Fischer | Bloomington, IL

After having an unplanned induction with my first daughter, I made sure that the things I needed ready for the hospital were truly ready as I prepared for the birth of our second child this spring. I couldn't justify packing and unpacking my toiletries and makeup each day during the last month of my pregnancy, so I took little stickers and placed them on all of the items that I wanted to be added to my bag if I was not the one doing the last-minute packing. This way, my husband would be sure to bring the correct things, the first time!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Kirsten McCallum | New York, NY

When my five-month-old, Gavin, used to wake up in the middle of the night, it was usually because of a wet diaper. I came up with a little trick to stop that cycle. I keep a small stash of diapers one size larger than what Gavin usually wears, and those are the ones I put him in at night. Now when he goes to the bathroom, there's a little space between his skin and the diaper, which prevents him from feeling the dampness (and waking up as a result). I'm convinced it's how he sleeps through the night - and has since he was just eight weeks old! 

Here are the details: I buy the diapers only one size bigger-if he's wearing a size 2, for example, he'll wear a 2-3 at night, which keeps the diaper snug enough around his waist but not so loose around his crotch that liquid spills out. I also I leave his pajamas unsnapped in that area so that the diaper has room to expand outward, which helps keep the dampness away from his skin even more.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Danielle Gingrich | Liberty Township, Ohio

My four-year-old, Leah, has very strong opinions about what she's going to wear and when she's going to wear it. It got to the point where, in order to preserve our loving relationship and my own sanity, some rules had be laid down. I decided to put an end to the daily what-to-wear battles by making Leah choose between two outfits the night before. It took some reinforcing, of course, and it helps that she's 4 and not 2 (read: more able to reason and stick to an agreement), but, for the most part, it's been a big success. She still feels like she's got the power to select her outfits, but without wasting time (and my goodwill) in the process.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Shayna Goldner / Toronto, CA

When I was creating a baby registry, I had difficulty picking out the best item in each category of gear (car seat, stroller, highchair, carrier...). Because I was bedridden for the whole nine months, I did most of my research on the web. While I found a ton of cold, hard product info, I didn't have the advantage of actually going to stores to examine the stuff and getting insight from experienced sales people with hands-on knowledge.

I felt a bit lost until I stumbled upon this website PishPoshBaby.com. The online company has a baby-gear expert to answer any question on any item-just send your query, and she'll respond within an hour. The personalized service was Incredible. Together with the expert, I was able to figure out which products were most suitable for me. Also, unlike many sites, they even shipped to Canada, which was a godsend.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Kimberly Connolly / Chicago, IL

My sanity saver? iPod playlists. Our nine-month-old, Charlie (on the left), seems to respond to music, so we used to play CDs to calm him down or put him to sleep. We'd always misplace them, though, so they were never on hand when needed. One quiet evening after I put him down, I downloaded all of his discs onto iTunes and created playlists for all his different moments and moods throughout the day (Bed Time, Bath Time, Play Time, Cranky... ). I also put a docking station in his room so he can listen to lullabies while drifting off to sleep. Now there's no more scouring the back seat of the car for that Dan Zanes CD-I just push a button and everyone's happy!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Kirsten McCallum / New York, NY

I used to dread trimming my four-month-old son's fingernails. I was so nervous every time that I'd either go too short and Gavin would wail, or I'd barely cut them at all and he'd look like the Exorcist. True to their name, LiteUps clippers actually light up so I can clip his nails in the dark while he's sleeping. I just get in and get out without him knowing a thing. No tears for him--no fears for me.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Liz Himelstein / Los Angeles, CA

Our five-year-old daughter, Cordelia, is not allowed to watch television during the week, so we have "Movie Night" every weekend - just Cordelia, mom, and dad. We make yummy snacks together for the event (popcorn, homemade cookies...), and we usually choose a classic like one of the Shirley Temple films, the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Yellow Submarine, Little Lulu, or any of the old Disney gems. Cordelia looks forward to it all week long and loves to help with every step of the planning. It makes the event a special family ritual that (I hope) will be a part of her forever.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Kerry Macleod / Whistler, Canada

My boys have loved a snappy game of UNO since they were about four years old, so I've learned never to leave home without a pack of the brightly-colored cards in my purse. It has prevented many a meltdown on long road trips, slow ferry rides, and transatlantic flights!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Michelle Gibbons | Sayville, NY

Whenever I go out to a pizzeria with the kids, I make sure I'm armed with kitchen shears. Why, you ask? Because it's impossible to enjoy your slice of Margherita when you're furiously sawing through their pepperoni pie with a plastic knife. Pizza and shears might not be an obvious association, but with the scissors - which are made sharp enough to cut through meat -dividing a slice (into 17 morsels) takes less than a minute, so you can go back to savoring your own (while it's still hot!).

Find theses Henckels kitchen shears at cooking.com.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Sarah Noreen / Madison, WI

To prepare for a three-day road trip to Florida with our five-month-old, we filled a small laundry basket with diapers, wipes, a blanket, bibs, extra clothes and toys and kept it on the back seat next to the car seat. This allowed for easy access to diapers for changes, and I was able to reach back and hand our daughter toys throughout the day. It was MUCH easier than rooting around a packed trunk for things!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Stacie Stumphauzer | Dallas, TX

When my twins were ready to transition from their cribs to real beds, I happened upon a company called Custom Playhouses that literally makes the beds of your children's dreams. Their service was outstanding, too. I gave them my ideas about themes for the kids' room as well as what make-believe games they liked playing and stories they loved hearing. Then, the designers set about creating these masterpieces of imagination, working with me by phone and email through every stage of the process. And, when the beds were completed, the couple that built them not only flew down here to meet the delivery truck and set everything up, but they also returned the next morning to fix a fussy light on one of the beds. The real value in all of this, though, is that the kids have never been more excited to go to bed!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Esther Bonding / Las Vegas, NV

Every mom who's got a teething tot should know about Sophie the Giraffe. Not only is she adorable (and handmade in the French Alps-ooh la la!), but there's something about her design and texture that soothes troubled gums and, therefore, crying babies. Sophie also squeaks when squeezed, so she engrosses my seven-month-old, Oliver, for long stretches of time in his car seat, the stroller, wherever. And I don't mind how long he chews on Sophie because she's made from natural rubber and non-toxic food-based paint.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Jennifer Tierney / New York, NY

If my writing these days weren't limited to refrigerator Post-It scribbles for my husband and the babysitter, I'd surely send thank you notes to the makers of these two baby products:

1.Priddy cloth books: They're made of fun, colorful fabric, so my eight-month-old, Finn, has a great time looking at them, holding them, bending them, and (when the mood strikes) chewing them. He also loves grabbing the moving parts on each page, like Sally Spider's actual string legs. Whenever he sees me pull out his Priddy book, he knows it's different from my reading to him from a regular book; he knows to expect an all-sorts-of-fun page-turner.

2. Barefoot Dreams blanket: This was the one baby shower gift I got that I wish came in my size because it's possibly the softest thing I've ever felt. Finn loves to feel the satin trim with his fingers and becomes entranced when I run part of it along the side of his face. It's my secret trick when he's being difficult at bedtime. A couple of caresses, and he's out like a light.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Ashley Knott | Louisville, KY

If ballet, piano, and soccer practices are still a few years off and you need a wholesome and captivating Saturday activity for your rugrats, head to your nearest Lowe's. Every other Saturday, Lowe's has a "Build and Grow" kids clinic that is totally free and lots of fun for everyone involved -- especially me, who gets to take a breather on the sidelines and catch up on my magazine reading between clicks of the camera.

Here's how it works: Each child receives an apron and goggles (to keep) and a building kit. After the little apprentices complete a project, they receive a patch to pin to their aprons (which they do with gusto). Then, we lug the treasure home to paint, which means a whole other day of keeping busy. So far, we've made a basketball goal, Valentine mailboxes, birdhouses, fire trucks, and stools.

It's a win-win situation: The kids feel super about themselves when they've made something that they can actually take home and use, and I feel super because the mess stays at Lowe's!

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!