10 Clutter Taming Tips

We are all have or once experienced clutter. Clutter can take up precious energy and take away time you could spend with your family. America is the worst nation for this epidermic  most likely because we tend to consumer more than any other nation on this planet. Here are the 10 tips I follow to help keep clutter to a minimum. When practiced religiously, you will find you have less and less clutter to deal with and more time to focus on the important things in life.


Everything Needs a Home 
Whether its your coat, shoes or your latest purchase, every item needs a home. When something gets used or taken out, it needs to return to its home.

Little Hands are Helpful Hands
Little ones certainly know how to create the messes. Teach them at a young age to put things away before they get something new out to play with. This can be started as early as after their first birthday.

Focus on One Room at a Time
To get started in taming the clutter, start in one room, work the perimeter then focus on the center of the room. Tossing unnecessary items or placing items that belong else where in a basket to put away after you are done with that room. 

Circulate Toys

Every month I like to schedule a day to take the time to weed through the toys and box up any toys that haven't been played with recently. Then add some back in from the previous round. I then donate any toys that have lost their interest. I also make sure to store the toys in a non-see through container to make sure that no tantrums are thrown when the kiddos see a toy that can't have. Also planning this task during nap time or a time when they are out of the house is best.

The 2 Minute Rule
 If it takes you less than 2 minutes to complete the task, just do it. This leaves less aggravation for later and you feel accomplished after getting it completed. 

On-The-Go Decluttering

One of my favorite decluttering tips is to pick up any items from a room I am leaving that don't belong and put them away in the room I am headed to or passing by. The theory is to leave the room cleaner than when you entered. Do this for all day long and you will notice a significant difference. 

Trash the Junk

Junk mail gets its name from somewhere. It's Junk! So throw it out as soon as you get in the door, or better yet toss it in the outside can before coming in the house. 

Daily Trash Routine

Take out the trash once a day. You will be amazed at how much this helps cut down on clutter. No one wants to throw away at a half empty trash bag, so this gives you the perfect opportunity to empty other trash cans, clear out a cluttered corner or drawer or just clean the fridge. It takes two minutes and will save you from having stuff just lying around.

6 Month Rule

If you haven't used it, touched it or needed it in the last 6 months, toss it or donate it. If it is worth value, then selling it is also another option. Items that have shallow sentimental meaning should be tossed. If its something that can be scanned or photographed for memory sake do it and move on. 

Buy Less

Yep I said it, buy only what you absolutely need. If that means putting an item you want on a 30 day wait to buy it list, then do it. Many times you will find that you don't really need the item you wanted a month ago. The less stuff you have coming into the house the less you have to organize. For each item you buy, find one item to give away. 

Clear Scalp & Hair Moisturizing Shampoo Honest Review

I recently got a bottle of the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Moisturizing Dry Scalp Nourishing Shampoo because I had been having terrible problems with my scalp being dry, itchy and flaky. This problem has just started again after giving birth to our son in October, so it may be due to hormone changes. I purchased the product after much research, i.e. reading the back of the bottles. I should have researched it a little more and read some reviews on amazon about what others had experienced. When I got home that night, I headed straight for the shower, cause I wanted to test this new shampoo out. 

My first impressions of the product was that I liked the color scheme and shape of the bottle. The shampoo smelled great and had a nice scent to it, not overpowering, but present. I proceeded to put about a nickle sized amount in my hair and lather. It was nice until about five seconds into lathering and then all of the sudden my scalp started to tingle and then get a burning sensation! I was freaked! I had never felt anything like this in my life! I immediately threw my head under the shower to rinse it all clean, but it seemed like it kept burning even long after the suds were gone. I kept rinsing and the burning was still there. At the nape of my neck right below my right ear I could feel a really bad burning sensation. When I ran my fingers over it, I could feel that my skin was raised. I thought for sure I was allergic to whatever was in this shampoo. I looked at the back of the bottle and had to lift the back label to read the ingredients: 

Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Dimethiconol, Sodium Chloride, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Zinc Pyrithione, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, DMDM Hydantoin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Tallow Acid or Palmitic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Glycerin, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Isethionate, Poloxamer 407, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, PPG-9, PEG-9M, Panthenol, Lysine HCl, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Mica (CI 77019), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 33 (CI 17200)

A lot of these I had never seen before in any product, let alone a shampoo. I thought if I am allergic to this then may skin should break out if I rub it on my arm. I put some on my left arm and rubbed until it lathered and nothing happened. No pain, coloration or anything. I got out of the shower and started looking for reviews on the net about this shampoo. Amazon had plenty of mixed reviews. Many said that they loved this shampoo, but others said they had a burning sensation too and that the ingredients were foreign to them as well. I then looked it up on EWG's Skin Deep site and they only gave it a 4 for being hazardous. 

Although I had such a bad reaction the first time I used it. I did notice my dry scalp condition went away and today when I bravely used it again, it didn't hurt a bit. My hair is very manageable and soft. Not saying that it's okay to use, but from my experience the burning sensation could have been caused by build up being on my scalp that was causing my skin irritation and when the shampoo went to clear it up, it caused the open pours on my scalp to hurt and feel like it was burning. The spot at the nape of my neck that was raised, went away within an hour or so, and was't  bothered by today's shampooing. 

My rating is a 3 out of 5. Because it works well to remedy the problem I got it for, but I discounted it down one because of the first experience I had with the shampoo and I am a little weary of how safe it might be to use. I will continue to use this shampoo with trepidation and maybe only when I notice my scalp needs an overhaul. 

How to Explain Home Safety to Teens Staying Home Alone

As one’s children become older, parents begin to trust them to stay home alone. Of course, a teenager needs to prove that he is responsible before this happens and should be instructed in a variety of home safety topics. Parents should feel confident that a teenager will know how to respond correctly to natural disasters, emergencies and sicknesses and will be able to keep the home and himself protected.

How to Teach a Teenager about Home Safety

The topic of safety within the home should be brought up long before an adult plans to leave a teenager home alone. In fact, this is something that even young children canbegin to learn. Children should be taught about how to respond to strangers, what to do if there is an emergency in the home and why it is important to follow their parents’ rules. More information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/parents/teens/safety.html.

In addition, “most schools teach children about basic home safety from a young age.” says
Jennifer Anderson a maker of Safe Sound Family Surveillance Systems. This is when children memorize their parents’ contact information and how to contact law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical workers and the poison control center. They also learn basic first aid.

However, as the child becomes a teenager, he should be given increasing amounts of responsibility within the home. The teenager should be expected to answer the phone or the door and to arm or disarm the security system. Once a teenager has demonstrated these things and the parents are comfortable, the teenager can begin staying at home alone. Of course, the first few times a teenager is left alone, the time should be brief. The time can gradually be lengthened as both the child and the parents become more comfortable with the situation.

What to Make Sure the Teenager Knows

1. Important contact numbers

Of course, virtually every teenager will have memorized his parents’ cell phone numbers by this point. However, these days, some teenagers will not know a variety of important contact number by heart because they are all listed on his cell phone. He should be aware that if he loses his cell phone, he should still be able to know some important numbers. In addition, he should know where to find emergency numbers, doctor’s office numbers and more. Some important numbers could be written on a paper that is kept in an easily accessible drawer or on the refrigerator.

2. Emergency preparedness

Teenagers should have access to information about what to do in a variety of emergency situations such as severe weather, poisoning, choking, serious medical conditions and more. Some of this can be found online. However, some parents may wish to have this information accessible in print form. It is also wise to have a teenager take a class to learn how to perform basic CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. This is especially important if the teenager is babysitting younger siblings.

3. Home security systems

Security systems can give parents a sense of safety for their homes and children even when they are away. These systems can be partially armed while the teenager is at home alone. The system will alert the resident as well as the security company when security has been breached. Teenagers should know the system’s password as well as any information that they would need to give the security company should they call.

4. Safety with friends

Parents may choose to have rules regarding whether the teenager can have anyone else over to visit while the parents are away. The parents may prefer that no one else be in the house or may only wish to allow a few select people to be in the house. Teenagers should know who they are allowed to invite over and should know that they are always responsible to abide by these rules.

Younger teenagers need to be given limited responsibility that can grow as they become older. Parents should be assured that a teenager knows all the important information discussed here before he is left alone and should be able to trust the teenager as well. Allowing teenagers to stay at home alone will help to prepare them for adulthood.

Google's April Fool's Joke 4-1-13

Google caught me off guard tonight. We logged into our Google Analytics to find that the International Space Station - Control Room had 41 visitors on our site!

Good one Google ;)

Have a great April Fool's Day!

Bubbz Diapers are on Sale!

Bubbz 3.0 diapers feature a microfleece stay dry lining with double gussets, colored waist snaps and two thirsty snap in sizable inserts.

Bubbz diapers, pail liners and wetbags are all on clearance! Bubbz 3.0's are only $8 ea and are still Buy 5 Get 1 FREE until 3/31 using coupon code BUBBZBFGO. Pail liners are $6.75 and wetbags are $7.50. Sale will only last as long as the inventory does!

KDB is making room for their ever expanding product lines. They just started carrying Bumkins, Tiny Tush, Boba and will be getting in Swaddlebee's, Blueberry, Bottombumpers, plus much much more!

Where to Buy:
Kebbie's Diaper Bag

Winner of Cold & Chest Comfort Balm

We have a winner of the review of Scarlet's Naturals Cold & Chest Comfort Balm sponsored by Kebbie's Diaper Bag! Thank you to all that entered!

All that tweeting and sharing on social networks paid off for you April H.! Congrats you are our winner of the $10 KDB gift certificate!! Winner has 48 hours to confirm their prize via email.

Review & Giveaway ~ Cold and Chest Comfort Balm by Scarlet's Naturals ~ Ended 3/5

This winter has been a hard one for us here at home. We have been battling a GI bug and cold after cold. The chillin's both have RSV, which has not been fun. Lil man, 3 months old, has been throwing up almost all day, but thankfully it stopped early this evening. One thing we would not be without is our Cold and Chest Comfort Balm from Scarlet's Naturals. We have been a big fan of their products from day one and have religiously used their Hiney Honey Cream and Bites.

Scarlet's Naturals came about when Scarlet's mom wasn't able to find a product that wouldn't break out Scarlet's delicate baby skin. Her mom sourced local ingredients and formulated a cloth diaper safe rash balm and wipes cubes. She has been growing her line of natural baby products for well over a year now.

A new addition to her line is the Cold and Chest Comfort Balm. It is amazing! We use it on the little one's chest and even the soles of their feet to help ward off these nasty viruses. This is a must have for any parent out there looking for a natural alternative to mainstream products on the market now. It cleared up my daughters first cold she had three weeks ago in a snap, now that she has RSV it seems to be taking a little longer, but after the first night of horrible coughing we went in and reapplied the balm to her chest and she slept through the night with little coughing. We have used it on lil man to help ward off any coughs and he hasn't gotten any wheezing in his chest yet. It makes us believers that this natural balm really does comfort chest colds.

Kebbie's Diaper Bag has generously offered to sponsor this giveaway. One lucky reader will receive a gift voucher worth $10 to use towards the purchase of Scarlet's Naturals Cold and Calm Balm. And for all of you other devoted readers, you can use Midnight in your cart before checkout to receive 15% off any Scarlet's Naturals products they carry until 3/5/13!

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Guest Post: How to balance children between two families

With all the bitterness and anger surrounding divorce, children usually become the PoW in the custody battle. For those divorced parents choosing split custody, the separation of children in two households can be painful and may create various problems.

Despite the numerous challenges, there are some tips you can follow in developing a cordial working relationship with your ex and keep a balance between the children now separated in two families.

What is split custody?

Under split custody, children are separated with some of them living with one parent while the others live with the other parent. In alternating weeks, the children switch residences.

Have regular gatherings

The separation of siblings will eliminate the emotional support they can give each other. Additionally, with only one primary parent, the children are likely to suffer from distress. As the parent, one thing you can do is to have a regular gathering of all the kids so that they can spend time together as they used to do and they will also have the chance to be with the other parent.

Keep regular contact

Even if you cannot make the regular gatherings with the kids, keep in touch with those who live with your ex via phone or Skype on a daily basis. You may be surprised at how much hearing your voice and knowing that you are thinking about them mean to the kids. They will feel the connection between family members which can be very consoling.

Make transitions easier

Family breakdown and the starting of the new family for each parent are difficult for children, especially young children. Remember how it feels like when you stay at a friend’s house for a few days? It might be exciting at first but gradually you will miss your own bed and couch. Imagine this scenario and you will understand the back-and-forth experience of your children.

Help your kids get used to moving between two homes by working out the basic routines in both places. For instance, have similar bedtimes and television viewing at both houses, so that the kids do not have to adapt to new routines every time when they move.

Take your time

Do not push your kids. It takes time for them to get used to the new environment and the fact that they have to live without their other siblings. You can prepare them for the transitions by reminding them they will leave for the other parent’s house a few days before the visit.

Establish a new type of relationship with your ex-partner

Co-parenting with your ex amicably can give your children a sense of stability and help them build close relationships with both parents – but it can be very difficult. Nevertheless, the most important step in being a mature and responsible co-parent is to always put your children’s needs ahead of your own. Remember that doing what is best for your kids is your most important priority.

Additionally, never hesitate to seek professional help. You can find a child support lawyer in many legal services when you encounter issues related to custody, child support or financial issues.

Author Bio: Yuan Liu is a freelancer who is recently doing research on divorce and child custody. She finds children are usually the victims in a family breakdown and she recommends the divorced parents to consult a child support lawyer just for the sake of their kids.

Win $100 Cash Just for Voting on a Blog Slogan!

I have been working with Advertise with Bloggers for several months and it is one of the best sites I have ever worked with that I get actual paid work! We are looking for a blogger slogan! Vote for your favorite slogan!
AdvertiseWithBloggers.com is a network of elite bloggers that works to advertise products and websites for companies. These bloggers have numerous dedicated readers who value the blog owner’s opinions and recommendations so it is the perfect way to get products and websites noticed. Advertise With Bloggers is looking for the perfect blogger slogan that would make any blogger proud to wear across their shirt and has asked bloggers to help. Here is a short video explaining the process -
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GIVEAWAY -

Now for the fun part - one of our wonderful readers will WIN $100.00 via PayPal!

This giveaway:

- will run from 2/19 - 3/05 - is opened worldwide

Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be notified via email.

Entering is super-easy, just choose your FAVORITE SLOGAN above - one that BEST represents blogging and put that slogan NUMBER in the entry form below.

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Disclosure - This giveaway was brought to you by AdvertiseWithBloggers.com. Midnight Mommy is not responsible for delivering the prize, we are just helping to promote this amazing giveaway.

Guest Post: Tips on How to Move a Family

With moving commonly cited by researchers in the list of top stressful life events, there are many things that one needs to consider before packing up the boxes and leaving their home for the last time.

When moving the family, this is all the more complicated, as parents must mediate between their frazzled state of frantic organisation and caring for their children. If this is you, here are some things to make your job easier:

Be sure that you can adapt to the new location

Often, families will move to a new location based on a couple of simplistic factors, such as a top-notch school or a supposedly wonderful local community. To ensure that your family can adapt well, go beyond the simple facts. Speak to local families and meet the neighbours in advance to get a better understanding of your new area.

Compare the cost of living

Obviously if you are moving to a couple of suburbs away, the cost of living will not be much different. However, if you are moving further away from home, doing some good research beforehand will save you from getting a nasty shock later on. What is the price of petrol near your home? How about groceries?

Choose the right time

If you are moving for the start of a new job or the like, there’s not much you can do. However, if you are flexible regarding your job, you may want to consider when your family makes the big move. Is there a season in your work life that is less busy? Would your kids be adversely affected by a mid-year move during school-time?

Let your children know well in advance

Moving is a big deal for anyone, and for a child, it can be especially frightening. Therefore, as soon as you confirm that your family is moving, inform your children as well. Child psychologists advise that by slowly reasoning with your child, you can alleviate feelings of distress, anger, and sadness commonly seen during a move.

Consider those you will leave behind

Ensure that you yourself, your spouse, and your children know that though you are moving, you can still stay in contact with those around you, whether they are family, friends, or neighbors  Perhaps consider a scrapbook or contact list, or for the more technologically savvy, noting their phone number, Skype username, and so forth.

Allow your children to pack their rooms

Though your children may not have had a say in choosing house and land packages from Stockland before your move, it’s wise to let them pack some of their own boxes, even if you've hired professional movers. This gives them more control in an uncertain situation as well as teaching them responsibility. Young ones can decorate their own boxes!

Stay positive and calm on moving day

It almost goes with saying, but it’s worth mentioning that it is especially important for parents to be positive and calm on moving day. Though the stress may far exceed what you felt when looking for Stockland’s houses for sale in Melbourne or wherever you are moving to, children can easily pick up on their parents’ mood, so be wary!

Author bio: Hope Chan is a freelance writer who is interested in real estate and the changing market. In her spare time, she enjoys looking up properties for sale.

Guest Post: Best New Workout Classes to Try in 2013

Goodbye 2012, hello 2013. There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of realizing that instead of hitting the gym, you spent another two hours in front of the television with those cookies.

Thankfully, a new year means new things, and today in 2013, there are many new workout classes making their way to your local gym, that’ll both put you in a sweat and put a smile of relief to your face. Here are a few you should try:

SoulCycle

This indoor cycling strategy started in a New York gym (perhaps the equivalent of Australia’s Fitness First) but has been quickly replicated throughout the world given its endorsements by the likes of celebrities Katie Holmes and Jake Gyllenhaal. SoulCycle consists of heart-pumping cardio, super-fast pacing, and full-body toning over a 45-minute class. Helping you burn an estimated 500-700 calories per class, SoulCycle is a definite must-try in 2013.

Cross Fit Classes

If you’re short on time, Cross Fit could be the perfect choice for you. Cross Fit consists of short and intense workouts of various kinds, depending on your gym. You may be climbing ropes and doing push-ups, or sprinting and then lifting weights. This regime has been so popular among the Hollywood actresses that many routines are named after them!

Fusion Classes

No, they are not actually called Fusion Classes. Nowadays, combined classes are becoming increasingly popular. Think Piloxing, yogalates, and aerial yoga. Fusion classes are not just a quirky advertising gimmick, with exercise physiologist Jessica Matthew noting that they help you get your body moving in new ways as they train different muscle groups.

Barre Classes

If you’re looking for some extra toning, barre classes are the perfect choice. Through a series of micro-movements (literally by the inch), barre classes target the bottom, legs, and core. With a focus on upper body work and use of exercise balls and weights, this is a fun class you’ll be telling your friends about in no time!

FlyBarre

Like its more normal cousin above, FlyBarre also uses a barre to help you tone your body. However, FlyBarre is much heavier on movement, combining dance, circuit training, strength building, yoga, and Pilates together. If you’re looking for more variety in your workout, this would be the perfect choice!

Aerial Dance Classes

Once the stuff of amusement parks and Cirque du Soleil, more and more gyms are now offering Aerial Dance classes for those interested in being suspended in mid-air by a couple of ropes. Aerial Dance classes are no joke though, offering a serious workout for your arms and abs!

Fitness Boot Camp

At first, the words ‘boot camp’ conjure up images of mud, dirt, sweat, and certain television shows. However, if you want to break a sweat in more luxurious conditions, then pay attention. Many gyms now offer fitness boot camp classes that incorporate both military-style drills and the more normal calisthenics and strength training. It might not be as fun as your gym’s Zumba, but it’s definitely worth a try!

Author bio: Hope Chan is a freelance writer who is interested in fitness and taking good care of her body. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and going on walks. 

Guest Post: Introducing the Kids to Alternative Sports

It’s always good to get the kids out of the house and into some physical activity. While everyday sports are always an option, there are other activities you might not think of that may interest them.

Whether you’re trying to get your kids into something you love, or an activity that’s completely new to all of you, there are a few tips you can follow to help them get acquainted and interested.

Ease into it!

The old adage about being thrown into the deep end – whether literal or figurative – is not useful advice. With recreational activities, children need to start slowly, which allows you to gauge their interest and slowly build up their skills.

Say you’re an avid surfer trying to pass on the passion, or you simply live near the beach and the child takes on the interest themselves. In this example it’s best to avoid buying them a proper surfboard and jumping straight in. Begin with swimming lessons, to ensure they are confident in the water. You might move them onto body-boarding next, to let them get a taste of the experience, with less risks and simpler skills required.

Safety first

Some alternative sports are more than just physically demanding, they can be dangerous, especially to people who aren't used to them.  There’s nothing wrong with introducing your kids to an activity that carries some risk of personal injury, as long as you understand the dangers and the safety procedures, and pass them along.

Having a positive attitude towards safety is important, but as any parent can tell you, sometimes kids will actively rebel against these kinds of restraints. You must instill safe practices into your kids as part of their lessons, not as an afterthought.  If kids don’t understand why they need to do something, they’re less likely to bother doing it, so explain the purposes of each safety measure or piece of equipment, so they understand the risks and how to minimize them.

Professionals do it better

No matter how long you've been involved in an activity or sport, there are some things best left to professional coaches and teachers. Over time, you will have surely developed your own bad habits, which you may pass on. Not to mention that professionals are trained to bring everything back to the absolute basics. As good as you might be, it can be hard to teach them the very basic, vital skills.

Something as natural to you as keeping a mountain bike balanced upright, can take a long time to instill into new learners. You might not have the patience to teach them, and rushing through the basics could turn a kid off of something for good.

Don’t force them

There’s nothing worse than the pushy parent who forces their kids into something they don’t enjoy. Nobody wins in that situation: the kids might end up resenting the activity, and perhaps even the parents, while it can spoil the fun you used to find in it.

By all means, introduce them to the basics of the activity, and show them how much you love the sport and why. That kind of passion can be infectious, and before you know it, they might be asking you to take them shopping for surfboard fins or something.

But if they aren't catching on, don’t force them to. It just might not be for them. If they start showing an interest in something else, the best thing you can do is to support them. Find out about it, and see if you can participate as well. At the end of the day, although you might have been hoping to spend some quality time with your children by showing them the pleasures of something you love, it could turn into them sharing something they are passionate about with you.

Author bio: Michael Irving is a freelance writer who is sick of soccer. He’s been looking at other activities to keep fit, and has just bought his first surfboard.