If you live in Brooklyn (or the NYC area) be sure to check out this post on Brooklyn Based, of ways to benefit your community. All it takes is a little time… or a donation of your unwanted goods. While you’re there, sign up to get the best of Brooklyn, in your inbox!

I’m all about getting kids started out early on computers, and if you’re reading this, you probably are too.. but babies? Argh! Show them PBSkids.com once, and it’s all over!! You’ll never get an alone moment with your computer again.

In all of their sweetness, they just want to do what we’re doing. To participate in an activity with us by pressing keys and watching the screen change. But instead, little hands hit the delete key and try to power down the system every 10 seconds. How do you share the computer experience with baby without pulling out your hair?

Idea: Decoy Buttons

Place a few raised-surface stickers off to the side of the mouse pad. Make sure baby sees you play with them a little bit each time she comes over, and tell her they are her buttons. Hopefully this trick will give you that extra 30seconds that can mean so much… and baby will be happy too!

Cough, cough, sniffle, sniffle, drool. The winter months are upon us, and the cooler weather has us all spending a little too much time germ-ing it up indoors. Clean-up and entertain the kids all at once…

Idea: Have a winter toy wash! I’ve never met a kid who didn’t relish in a little sink time.

Plug up the sink (or tub) and start filling with warm water and a little dish soap. Now, collect all the plastic toys that are played with most and drop them in the suds.

If your children are young (2-5) save yourself the stress and put a towel down on the ground before you start… it could get a little wet.

Prop the little ones up on a chair, give them a few tools (colander, sponge, dish soap, old toothbrush, scrubber) set up a towel to dry the toys on, and let the fun begin. But beware… once they start, they won’t want to stop.

Problem: The junk drawer is overcrowded… you have scissors, twine, tape, cousin Diane’s wedding invitation (from 6 years ago), and menu’s to every yummy place in your delivery zone.

Solution: Clear out some of the clutter and make a Menu Book!

Get started by sorting through your menu’s and tossing out all the restaurants that no longer exist, or you’ve never eaten at. Next, you will need a three ring binder and some clear plastic sleeves. Load the sleeves with your favorite places first, and if you have extra space, tuck grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe in the back.

When you’re done, slip it away somewhere convenient for one of those, I’m straving, but too tired to cook, kind of nights.

P.S. Don’t forget to show the babysitter where you keep the book!

At BubbaLulu.com we are always ready when inspiration strikes… with a bowl of Sharpies on the table, color is always within reach.

Idea of the Moment: Keep markers in a fruit bowl on the kitchen table. If you have little ones in your household, use washable markers or crayons.