Mom’s The Word

We all know where to get the best mom advice (and it’s not from Dr. Spock). It’s from our fellow moms, of course (and we try to deliver on that mission every day here at SavvyMom). So, today as a little respite from the ever-present holiday stuff (is it just us or are our kids the only ones a little over-excited by the prospect of presents?), we gathered up some fun yet practical advice from some of our friends and people we admire just for you, advice that’s sure to be useful to every mom:

On Surviving the Winter
Once November comes take my advice and head out to your nearest discount store and buy a huge bag of mittens, gloves, and scarves, and then label them. Then make a date once a month in your daytimer for December, January, and February to go to the school lost and found and fish them all out again. And remember, matching mitts and colour co-ordinated hats and scarves are optional.
From Kathy Buckworth, author of Journey to the Darkside: Super Mom Goes Home

On Surviving Hockey Season
Never learn to put on the kid’s hockey equipment. As soon as you know how to do this, you’re eligible for the privilege of getting up at 6 am and driving to a hockey arena on the other side of town, or worse, an out-of-town tournament.
From a hockey mom who wishes to remain anonymous

On Surviving Birthday Parties
Never eat the icing on the cake at a preschooler’s birthday party. Where do you think all those little fingers have been?
From our Publisher, Sarah Morgenstern

On Managing the Halloween “Haul”
As early as possible, introduce the concept of the Halloween fairy, a fairy who comes late on Halloween night, takes away big bags of Halloween treats and leaves a nice gift in exchange. It’s hard to introduce a new fairy to a six or seven-year-old’s life—and ironically, that’s just the age when you’ll most wish you had thought of it. By then, they’re strong enough to carry home a 20-pound pillowcase full of junk, categorize and sort it the same evening, and keep a running inventory of it for the next several months.
From Patti Ryan, SavvyMom Ottawa Co-chief

On Finding Babysitters
Make sure you meet (and are friendly to) all of your neighbours. One of them is bound to have a teen-age daughter. Who can babysit.
From The Desk of Our Editor, Minnow Hamilton

On Providing First Aid
Always have a bag of peas in the freezer, a supply of lollipops and a good collection of bandages. They are essentials for boo-boos.
From Denise Smith, Client Services Manager, SavvyMom Toronto

On Helping Other Moms
There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.
From Madeline Albright, mother of 3 and former US Secretary of State

And our final word of advice—don’t use the same wrapping paper that Santa uses.