mwinfield's Profile

In my area, the farmland that is used for Christmas trees would otherwise be farmland. Maybe a different crop would be grown, or cattle or horses but it is not native forest land or at least hasn't been for a hundred years. By buying a tree from that farm I am supporting a local family and help the local agricultural economy. To me, that is about as guilt-free as it gets. Because really all farms could be seen as encroaching on native forests or grasslands, but since we won't likely return to foraging anytime soon, farms are part of our lives. I see buying local, sustainable and from someone you know as a fairly guilt-free choice. And these farms do exist in many parts of the country!

"I'm Going to Hire a Wino to Decorate our Home". A country classic.

We once went to IKEA in Sweden and they had clothes. Although I can't say I would buy them all the time, the novelty was cool and I ended up with some super comfy pajamas!

Really peer pressure works great, both of our kids felt a need to start using the potty when they were in mom's day out and other kids were getting to go on special walking trips to the potty. The nature of the child is going to be the biggest factor, we have one that showed early interest but took almost six months to be accident free. One that showed almost no interest, then she just one day decided to do it and within a week she was done. Trying to force it in both cases just backfired. I find that building it into the routine works pretty well. You wake up and try to go, before meals we all try to go when we would normally wash hands, before bedtime we try to go. Don't make it based on success, make it based on successful attempts, the successes will follow. And I don't know about others, but my kids loved public restrooms. Going on the potty in a strange place was way more fun than at home, while they would fight me at home they would be eager to try somewhere else. I also found that praise worked as well as candy, and was easier to maintain.

I use the silverware caddy with the handle for crayons, markers, etc. I cut a piece of cardboard to go in the bottom since it is slotted, but it is a great and attractive solution for art supplies! I also use the glass jars, I dont even use the lids, they are good for stamps (and I don't care if ink gets all over the inside of the glass jar).

I happen to love party favors, I think they are a great way to continue a party theme, my kids love to make them, love to get them and I think a well though out favor can be such a treat. Handing out favors is a great way to bring a party to an end (thanks for coming... here is your favor... bye!) I am also in the quality over quantity camp. But lets face it, cheap favors are a fact of life. So how can favors become something that we all don't waste enegrgy loathing and we don't dump in the trash on the way out of the party? (Same goes for toys from Happy Meals, etc.)
Here are my ideas:

1) Put all your favors away where you store your luggage. Next trip, bring them along, they are now fun travel toys for an airplane or at Grandma's and who cares if they get lost?

2) Put a few in your purse and keep them there to be pulled out in the situations that take longer than expected (doctor's office, lines, traffic in the car, etc.) As they are lost, replenish from your endless supply!

3) Keep a few in your purse for OTHER people's kids. A few times I have been waiting without my kids and someone else had theirs who were clearly bored and growing impatient (in an airport for example.) With a parents permission I give that child some little trinket, its met with gratitude every time!

Lets put the cheap, bulk-manifactured junk that comes into our lives to work for good instead of evil!

Afraid the dog would pee on it- otherwise thumbs up!