Inspired by Julie Cole's Planning to Have A Big Family? Some random tips to save time and money I wanted to share my favourite get-kid-stuff-cheap go-tos (yes, that's a lot of hypens—I appologize in advance to my editor Ali).

What can kids give Dad that is special, easy and, ahem, free?  THIS -> 52 REASONS I LOVE YOU Jar. 

This is a three-ingredient activity that kids can do as a gift for Dad—that keeps giving.

iphone in one hand and baby in the other?  Skype call with a colleague while breastfeeding your baby?  Turning on the TV to a kid show for 20 mintues so you can finish one email?  Can you be a full time Mompreneur and full time caregiving Mom - both at the same time?  I seriously don't know.

Do you make time for yourself? Have you scheduled in YOUR activity on the family calandar? Here's why you need to give yourself permission to take "me-time" to pursue your passion...

You deserve it.

So simple right? But it took me years to figure this out. 

I scheduled the kids' sports activities on the family calander. I set up play dates for the kids and their friends. I hosted dinner parties for my family. I, happily, enabled everyone to do his or her favourite activities...everyone except me.

Four, free (and kinda fabulous), gift ideas kids can give Mom on Mother's Day.

Let me sleep in.

Let me have a hot drink in peace. 

Please fold the laundry.

The new old-school activity these days? Finger songs. From itsy bitsy spider to A B Cs to Skinamarinky dink—finger songs are excellent because you can chant them at home, sing them in the car, whisper while waiting at the doctor's office.  The perfect no-gear activity for little fingers.  And what age is appropriate for finger songs...well, dear son is 1 and he loves them and I am lots and lots of 1s and I love them too.

Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout

(index finger and thumb on both hands touching—moving up)

This homemade chalk recipe is not only frugal (it makes a lot), but it's also fun from start to finish, as the kids can help with measuring, stirring, and more. 

You will need:

Toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes

Small bucket

Scissors

Duct tape

¾ cup warm water

1 ½  cups Plaster of Paris (available at craft stores)

2-3 tbsps powdered tempera paint

Cookie tray

Directions: 

How much, hourly wage, do you pay a babysitter? Minimum wage? Round it off to the nearest 5? Pay to the cent? It can be a confusing concept.

My 11-year-old daughter took a babysitting course this year where she was told by the course facilitator that she could charge between $6 to $12 an hour. Honestly, I don't think I would pay $12/hour for an 11-year-old to babysit.  And babysitting wages really depends on the situation...

Have you ever wanted to go for a hike but the stroller won't manoeuvre the wood chip trail? Have you ever wanted to take the subway but the stroller won't magically levitate down the stairs? Have you ever wanted to take an older sibling to the orthodontist but you realized that the office is on the 2nd floor of a no-elevator building?

I am actually three for three in the above not-so-stroller-friendly situations. Don't let your baby gear hold you back from where you want to go!

Twitter is a great tool for parents. It's a virtual playground to connect and engage at any time day or night. It's awesome for socialization, support, information, and communication be it in your personal, professional or passion-aspect of your life. I have been know to tweet during nap time, field trips, the dreaded 3 am feeding...tweeting got me through the baby blues. 

Here are five easy candy-free Easter treat ideas to give to your kids this year:

 An Outfit. They have to wear clothes anyway (every day, I'm told), so an outfit is practicial, yet something fun to your little fashionista. Stores are having loads of spring sales, so you can sure find a good buy, for less than $15.

Earth Hour is Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 8:30-9:30pm. 

Ready to play cards by candlelight? To sing Down By The Bay in rounds? Ready to turn your kids on while you turn off the lights?

There are lots of things to do with kids sans electricity (I know hard to believe right?!)...

Raffi, the Washington Post called you,"the most popular children’s singer in the English-speaking world."  Parents (and kids) know you for your songs "Down by the Bay," "The More We Get Together," and "Baby Beluga," amongst countless others. How does it feel to have had such a career connecting with children?

In the wake of the abduction (and murder) of grade 3 student Tori Stafford and just as a new documentary "Bully" is set to release to movie theatres, it is now timelier than ever to talk street and bully-proofing with your kids.

I am no expert. 

However, I am a parent.  And these are my casual-dinner-party-conversation-strategies to keep kids safe.

Here are some activities (tried and tested stuff I'm doing with my own kids this school break) that incorporate something to do, a switch-up, and an educational factor.

BINGO.  There are tons of FREE bingo cards on the internet for printing out.  Or make your own using Excel. 

SWITCH UP: Use Cheerios or raisins as Bingo markers. 

The evolution (and de-evolution) of a Mom's bag is one of fashion and functionality. 

This used to be my everyday bag.  It was everything I believed in. Made by a Canadian mompreneur (supporting my fellow WAHM and buying locally).  

So apparently, Zac Efron dropped a condom at the orange carpet premier of The Lorax last week (which I found out this week via twitter—thanks @SharonDV and @KelliDaisy!).

Well I was there.  Yummy exclusive I guess.

No one "at" the carpet saw anything because that condom drop was in front of the media in a tented part of the orange carpet. 

Maybe Zac wanted to hit something more than popcorn at the movies?

I just back from my first trip to Disneyland (California Park). Being a Disney newbie, I didn't know what to expect but along my magical adventure I gleaned some tips to share...

How much further?! Are we there yet?! I'm bored! Whether you are traveling by boat, plane, train or bus...these 5 activities will keep your kids entertained so you can drive, sleep or tweet (not all at the same time of course).

My kids had a lesson in black history during a trip to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, MI (one of THE best, kid-friendly, museums we have visited) this past summer. As we walked through the museum, we entered a room and saw this bus.