Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Little Monsters Diapers: So Much Cuteness (Giveaway!)

June 18, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 163 Comments

Any cloth diapering parent will tell you that one of the many perks of cloth diapering is how unbelievably cute they look on your baby. A fluffy butt is right up there with kittens and puppies cuddling with baby bunnies, my friends.

But the mom-owned cloth diaper company Little Monsters has taken it up a notch with their very VERY cute cloth diapers. I mean, get a load of this:

That sheep diaper is the cutest thing!!!!

Little Monsters Cloth Diapers are not only cute, but also effective. They are one-size pocket diapers with multiple rows of snaps to fit growing babies (from 9-35 pounds). They come with microfiber inserts that we have found to be very effective.

Little Monsters also sells solid color diapers for $20.99, but trust me when I say you should spend the extra $2 and get the embroidered Little Monsters. It will pay for itself in smiles in just a few minutes! 🙂

I have been using this diaper on Layah for several weeks now, and I have absolutely no complaints. I haven’t yet used it overnight, but if I were to, I would add some additional inserts, which the diaper is designed to accommodate easily. And I really like that it is snaps instead of velcro, because Layah LOVES to rip off her velcro diapers these days. The snaps are beyond her abilities to undo, thank goodness!

My overall thoughts about Little Monsters diapers is that they are every bit as good in quality and design as other pocket diapers we have tried, but they stand apart from the crowd with their adorable embroidered designs. Check out their selection and see which one is your favorite!

Also, Little Monsters is having a big sale on their monster package, which is a great option for anyone looking to really build their stash. It comes with 5 monster diapers for just $69.99! Woo!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Little Monsters diaper of your choice!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebsar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Biltmore Review: A Surprisingly Fun Vacation Spot with Kids

June 18, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

This weekend we headed up to Asheville, North Carolina to check out America’s largest private home, the Biltmore Estate. This was the mountain getaway for the Vanderbilt’s, a family whose fortune was amassed around the turn of the 20th century thanks to smart investments in shipping, and later in railroads. Their wealth was estimated to be the equivalent of 4.5 billion dollars in today’s currency, and that was before income taxes existed.

Yeah. Just let that sink in for a moment.

The house has been open to the public since the 1930s, when the family started offering tours as a way to help spur on the economy in the area during the Great Depression.

I have seen the degree of opulence and splendor in other homes before, but only in Europe, and only in the very top-tier palaces in Europe. I’ve never seen anything even remotely close to this in the United States. For that reason alone, it is such a rare gem. The tour of the home was absolutely fascinating. Unless, of course, you are a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old. And in that case, it was REALLY boring. So you may be surprised to hear that I’m suggesting that going to the Biltmore Estate might be a great choice for families with young kids. Just hang with me and I’ll prove my point to you, I promise!

But I will say right up front that I would recommend the adults in your party take turns touring the estate if you have really young kids (6 and under). Leaving the kids out of the house tour will increase the likelihood of it actually being enjoyable to the adults by approximately 1 million percent. One person can go on the tour (which lasts around 45 minutes to an hour) while the other person plays with the kids in the unbelievably gorgeous gardens or takes them to get a sweet treat. If you are really adventurous, you can take them into the nearby shops, which have some seriously gorgeous (but breakable) things.

After you romp around for a while in the gardens by the estate, definitely grab a bit to eat. We dined at the Stable Cafe which was a beautiful sit down restaurant in the old stables of the estate. I bet Mr. Vanderbilt gets quite a kick out of the fact that people now dine where horses once, well…you know. The food was great, though I’m not sure it is the perfect choice for families with younger kids, as we had to take a few turns taking them outside to run around while we waited for our food. The prices were also a little bit high, as our bill came to $50 for 2 sandwich plates, 1 kids meal and 1 dessert. This particular meal was provided to us, but if we had been paying for it, the prices would have been a bit steep for our budget. I was pleased to see that there were more affordable options on the grounds, as well, so if the bill for the lunch gives you pause, too, fear not!

One more thing about touring the estate grounds: be prepared to do a whole lot of this:

I only took pictures of Tim having to climb up and down the stairs about half the time, if that gives you a sense for how frequently we had to do this. Do not, under any circumstances, bring a substantial stroller. If your child will cooperate in a carrier of some sort, that’s the way to go. And if you must bring a stroller, make sure it is a lightweight umbrella stroller. Also make sure you bring your guns because your muscles are about to get a workout. This was my least-favorite thing about the Biltmore: lack of accessibility for anyone traveling on wheels. Consider yourself warned.

Now I want to tell you about the part of Biltmore Estate that is SO SO SO perfect for kids! It is called Antler Village, and it is located a few miles away from the estate, itself (why yes, a few miles away IS still on the grounds of the Biltmore!). Antler Village has many great things for kids, including plenty of room to run around, a children’s maze, a barnyard with animals, a playground, and even a large assortment of toys that were popular around the time that Biltmore Estate opened. And there’s also a fantastic ice cream shop on site, too!.

But don’t feel left out, adults. Antler Village has something special for you, too. Namely, a winery! A wine tasting is including with your tickets to the Biltmore Estate. Don’t mind if I do!

We had SO much fun throughout the day at the Biltmore Estate (aside from all that stroller lifting), and now I want to share with you my very favorite part of the whole experience: watching the estate’s master blacksmith at work. He was such a gentle spirit, and such a wonderful storyteller. And just look: you can see the love he puts into his craft. Amazing, isn’t it? I could have watched him work and listened to his stories for hours. He is a living treasure of the Biltmore. An absolute MUST see.

If you have ever thought about visiting the Biltmore, but hesitated because you have little ones, I can tell you from experience that you will really have a great time, especially if you can figure out a way to do the house tour without them, and if you can leave the stroller at home. AND, you’ll be excited to know that all summer long, kids 16 and under are totally FREE!!! Woo hoo! Tickets for adults are $49 each, which is on the high end for my family’s budget, but with the free admission for kiddos, that makes it an easier pill to swallow. Also, if you order your tickets in advance, discounts are offered to help make it even more affordable. And one final perk: you can upgrade your tickets to get to come back for a second day for just $10 more. Now that’s a great deal and one I would highly recommend, as that can allow you more time to see and enjoy everything the Biltmore has to offer without feeling too rushed.

Thanks to the Biltmore for their gracious Southern hospitality. It was a simply marvelous visit!

I received complimentary tickets to the Biltmore Estate as well as a complimentary meal in exchange for sharing my honest opinions, which I have provided.

Stevie Tenderheart Books: A Change of Heart Changes Everything (Giveaway)

June 17, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 50 Comments

I am fortunate in my line of work to have met many passionate people with great ideas to help make life a little less hectic and a lot more fun for parents of young children. Many of the products I review here are the physical representation of years of hard work, lots of dreams come true, and lots and lots of heart. Today I’m excited to share with you the work of an author, and he is perhaps one of the most passionate individuals with whom I have yet to work.

The author is Steve Laible and the books he has written are part of the Stevie Tenderheart series. The books are about a little boy who thinks his bed is the greatest place on earth, and he wishes it would go with him everywhere. He has some fun adventures there just by using his imagination a little bit. The books are very fun to read and most definitely capture the attention fo my oldest (who is almost 4). They are perfect for her, because they are filled with vibrant and colorful pictures, yet the content of the books goes far beyond that of a picture book. There’s more to read, so the story is more in-depth and we have more to talk about on each page. Additionally, each book has a companion coloring book, which helps your child get even more involved with the characters in the book and the message being presented, which is that a change of heart changes everything.

Aside from the books, themselves, having a great message and being fun to read, I think the mission of the author is what sets these books apart from the rest. Steve Laible is currently working very hard to contribute Stevie Tenderheart books to the Million Pillow Pledge. This is a campaign that places dolls and books on the beds of very brave children in hospitals throughout the country, as well as any place where there’s a child who might need some encouragement. Through the Stevie Tenderheart website you can purchase materials to be directly donated to many different hospitals, or you can specify exactly where you’d like your books to be donated. Steve will ship the books you purchase absolutely free to the place in the U.S. of your choosing. And he has worked really hard to keep the cost of the books very low for you (just $4.95 each!). What a gift you can give to a child going through a tough time. Steve is passionate about this cause, and wants Stevie Tenderheart to be a beacon of happiness and hope for kids all over the nation.

Additionally, Steve has big dreams to open a camp for children called Camp Tenderheart. You can read all about the vision and plans for this facility here. Isn’t it uplifting to encounter a person in this world who is working with so much passion to help create safe and healthy spaces for children to help them thrive? I’m so inspired! And I hope you will also feel inspired to help support this dream and to introduce children you know to Stevie Tenderheart. The books are really good, and so very affordable. Click here to check out all the purchasing options and consider buying a few for children you know, as well as a few for children you don’t know but who could use a little cheering up.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of both books (My Favorite Place to Be and Wait a Minute!)

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

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I received complimentary books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

How to Remove Rust (DIY)

June 16, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

The girls have one of those silver dinner bells that you can find at most any tourist destination in their stash of tub toys. It makes a fun sound underwater and it gets on mom’s nerves, which means it is the PERFECT thing to play with!

Trouble is, silver bells and constant exposure to water don’t really mix well, and the end result is rust. But rather than have to sink another $5 into a bell I can’t stand, I thought I’d take a crack at fixing the one we already own and ~~hate~~ love.

The process is really quite simple! What you need is some lemon juice and some Borax Laundry Booster. If you don’t already have some of this in your laundry room, I most definitely recommend that you get some! This is a product that is a serious work horse in our house. It does a bajillion different things! One of which is to help remove rust, so let’s get crackin’ on that project, shall we?

Ok, do you have your lemon juice and Borax ready? Simply combine equal parts lemon juice and Borax to make a paste. Since my project was small, I used 2 Tbsp of each, and probably could have gotten away with half that amount.

Apply the paste to rusted areas and allow to sit for 30 minutes.

Next, take a cloth (I used a cotton dish rag) and wipe the rusted areas. I went back and forth over it a few times and saw these results:

While it didn’t remove every little bit of rust, I also had a strangely shaped object that made it difficult for every piece to “soak” in the mixture for the 30 minute timeframe. I think the results are pretty great, actually, and I’ll definitely use this again the next time I have to bring some object back from the depths of rusted despair. Pretty neat trick, huh? Super cheap. Super easy. All thanks to Borax!

Don’t forget to pin this post on your Pinterest board of DIY tips and tricks!

I received a complimentary box of Borax through the Purex Insiders program in exchange for my honest opinions. I was previously a fan of Borax and would recommend it to anyone! This post contains an affiliate link.

How to Get Toddlers & Preschoolers Ready for Chores

June 15, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 10 Comments

Friends, please enjoy this really helpful guest post from a fellow mom blogger. She’s got some great tips, so take note before you go buy that Responsibility Chart! 🙂

Hi! I’m Brandy and blog at MommySplurge about having a healthy connected family and enjoying the good stuff (including reviewing subscription boxes)! When Tiffany asked me to write a guest post, I thought to myself, what is it that parents need? Besides sleep, time, and stuff that makes our lives easier and happier, having a clean home – and teaching our children to assist us in that never ending chore – is always pretty high on the list. I thought I would share my best ideas and advice for teaching toddlers and preschoolers to assist in household chores.

My kids are two and four, and while I don’t believe they should be responsible for cleaning my home, I always need a little help in that area and want them to understand the work that goes into it so they can help keep it nice too. I want my kids to be ready for responsibility when it’s time for them to really pitch in. Responsibility is something that must be learned, not foisted on them 5 years from now. The earlier you start small children with chores, the earlier they will become actually helpful.

While I include some specific chores for preschoolers and toddlers, I want you to take away some ideas on how you can incorporate chores for kids organically in your routine. My advice is realistic. Your two year old isn’t going to load the dishwasher even if the Internet tells you he can. Here are my steps as you start to learn what works for your family.

Getting Toddlers & Preschoolers Started on Chores

Step 1 – What do they want?

If they are interested in a cleaning activity, make it safe and have them help. They might not actually get it clean. That’s just fine as long as they are learning a habit! By following my children’s lead I have added washing the table, washing the floor, and using the vacuum to pick up crumbs and other messes to my kids’ chore repertoire. And of course they can’t get enough of dusting! Adding their chores based on your children’s particular interests is a fantastic way to incorporate child-led learning into your household routine. As your routine grows you can begin to add extra chores.

When I do not have a safe non-toxic cleaning product, we just use water or water and soap. And to be honest, it’s cleaner than it would otherwise be! I can’t remember the last time I decided to wash the floor all by myself.

Step 2 – Youngest Wins!

The youngest child capable of doing the task should be assigned the task. I often forget this one myself, but it is important that we give our younger children the opportunity for increasing responsibility as they grow. The easiest way to do this is to assign the task to the youngest one that is capable of it (and available). Don’t worry about the older ones. There is always more responsibility for them to take on as they grow.

Step 3 – Make it a Family Activity

Never clean while your children watch you. Find some way for them to assist you. Having them watch you clean reinforces the idea that the parent is responsible for cleaning everything. There is always a way for them to help. When it’s time to clean, announce that it’s time. Have tasks ready for the kids while you supervise or accomplish things that they really can’t do. By making it a family activity there is less time for you to get grumpy about cleaning, too!

Step 4 – Let them know they are doing a great job!

Praise. Praise for helping. Praise for doing a good job. Tell them how happy they make mom and dad. Praise, praise, and praise some more. If they miss a spot, this is your chance to tell them what a good job they did and can they help wipe this part up too?

Step 5 – Don’t Overthink It

Do not get hung up on a chore chart! It’s a great tool but filling out the chart isn’t the goal. It’s hard for me to be consistent about the chore chart and I decided that being consistent about my expectations for my kids was more important than remembering a sticker.

Chore Lists for Toddlers & Preschoolers

I admit that I once consulted the Internet for chore ideas for my kids and came up empty. Baseboards? Folding Underwear? My life is too busy for folding panties! These chores are age-appropriate and mesh with what most families need to accomplish.

Toddler Chores: 2-3 year olds

Put away toys: children need a lot of direction with this task. Ask them to help you as you put away Mr. Potato Head. Give them one by one directions – can you put the green truck back on the shelf? Don’t expect your toddler to magically clean his room!
Dusting
Washing the floor
Put clothes in hamper
Use vacuum hose or handheld vacuum to pick up crumbs
Wipe up messes
Brush teeth. If you have an older child, she should be able to help your preschooler with loading up his toothbrush.
Throw diapers or other trash away: even very young toddlers can assist with this!
Laundry: toddlers can assist with putting wet clothes into the dryer. If you have a front-loader have your toddler put the dirty clothes inside the drum.
Wash face and hands with wet cloth

If your toddler has mastered this list, then you can move on to preschooler chores.

Preschooler Chores: 4-5 year olds

All Toddler chores plus
Washing the table: they are tall enough now!
Putting dirty dishes in the sink: only encourage this if your dishes aren’t breakable.
Help preparing food: although toddlers can do some helping (my 2 year old loves to stir and to sprinkle cheese), preschoolers really start to become useful in the kitchen at this age. I always have a task for my four year old to complete.
Setting the table: woah, they aren’t doing a formal place setting! Kids this age can get the silverware out and set it at each place. You get the plates out for them. Go slowly and build!
Empty small trash cans: even though toddlers think they like to help with this, it’s usually a little much for them.
Tidying their rooms: this is one of the hardest activities to delegate. We see our kids growing bigger and expect them to be able to help. But when their rooms are a mess you can’t just tell them to clean their room. At this age you don’t have to micro-manage, but they still need a lot of guidance. Try asking them to find all the Legos to put away (a preschooler you might ask block-by-block as you also clean up).
Laundry: if you have a front-loader, preschoolers can take clothes out for the dryer. Smaller kids can put things in but have a harder time with getting them out. Preschoolers can unload the dryer (mine stands inside the laundry basket as she does it!).

th Hill Designs by MommySplurge” href=”http://mommysplurge.com/south-hill-designs/ “>South Hill Designs Artist, and a Stuff Parents Need superfan! She blogs about having a healthy connected family and enjoying the good stuff (including subscription box reviews)!

Store Brand Diaper Makeover: Rite Aid Tugaboos Get An Upgrade!

June 14, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rite Aid Tugaboos diapers. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Well, folks, we are on the road again. Tim and I decided to take the girls to a castle this weekend. Well, I suppose it it the American equivalent of a castle (we’re going to check out the Biltmore Estate in Asheville). Darah is talking nonstop about princesses and asking me if the people who work there will call her, “your majesty” while she is visitng. Kids are so hilarious!

I had to fight against the urge to just stay home, if I’m being completely honest. I love history and architecture and just seeing new things, in general, but this season of life (having very young children) is a really hard one for traveling, as being able to adapt our schedule (sleeping times, snack times, diaper changing needs) to a new environment can sometimes feel like more hassle than it is worth.

And for those of you with a child in diapers, you know that a blow out is not exactly high on your list of “must do” things while on vacation. So it may surprise you that the package of diapers I’m taking with us for the weekend looks like this:

You may have never even seen this brand of diapers before. They are a store brand (specifically, Rite Aid) and they are called . Store brand diapers often have the reputations of being sort of ok for day time use as long as you aren’t going anywhere and as long as you can change them more frequently than you would with a more premium diaper. They don’t ususally have the highest absorbtion level or the best leak protection, so you are a little more at risk for problems when you use them.

So why am I traveling with only these diapers for day time use? Because the Tugaboos line recently made some upgrades to their diapers, including faster absorbtion and increased leakage protection. They also offer hypoallergenic inner liners (very important for my sensitive toddler) and stretchy side panels that are great for little miss wiggle worm. I also appreciate that they have a soft, cotteny feel (as a primarily cloth diapering family, disposables can feel SO scratchy and itchy in comparison…these feel nice!).

So yes, we will be traveling to see the Vanderbilt’s this weekend, and we’ll be dressed in our finest, including Rite Aid Tugaboos diapers for Layah. They fit in our budget. leaving us with more money to spend on things like ice cream and tiaras.Both are important accessories for a princess, according to Darah. 🙂

I suggest you give Rite Aid Tugaboos a try. And through the end of June, every time you purchase Tugaboos diapers at Rite Aid using your wellness+ card, you’ll get an entry into a sweepstakes for a Vera Bradley Designer Diaper Bag! Now that’s an accessory fit for the moms of princes and princesses!

A message from Rite Aid:

For the month of June, all Tugaboos purchases will earn an entry into the Tugaboos and Vera Bradley Sweepstakes!

With every in-store purchase of qualifying Tugaboos products using your wellness+ card at any Rite Aid store between June 1-30, 2013, you will receive an entry for a chance to win one of (25) Vera Bradley Designer Diaper Bags filled with select Tugaboos products.

To enter without making a purchase, complete this entry form now:.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rite Aid.

Food for Thought: The Fast Metabolism Diet

June 14, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/The Fast Metabolism Diet

So over the past few weeks I’ve been reading a very “interesting” book. Can I just pause here and ask if you have ever noticed that people use the word, “interesting” when they really mean something else altogether?

I suppose I do mean something different, although I did really and truly find The Fast Metabolism Diet to be interesting. I also found it to be ridiculous, amazing, confusing and exciting all at the same time. I talked out loud at the author, Haylie Pomroy, frequently as I read about her approach to weight-loss. Quite frankly, it was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. And as someone who has been overweight for a few decades, I can tell you that I’ve read quite a bit on the subject of weight loss!

Haylie has developed a 28 day regime of mostly diet, and a little bit of exercise, that she claims will revive a sluggish metabolism. She switches up the kind of food you are eating every few days, and has a list of foods from which you can choose for each segment of the week as well as sample menus if you want to keep things as easy as possible for yourself.

I have to tell you, I found the confidence of the author to be a bit jarring, and perhaps even borderline obnoxious. With that said, however, I think that her confidence comes from a track record of success. She has had countless celebrity clients and has helped thousands of people not only shed some weight quickly, but also set themselves up for future success by getting their metabolisms to speed up a bit.

I haven’t tried out the program, myself, but after looking over the foods on the list, I can say that I respect the food choices she suggests. She cuts out any and all “diet” products, and she also cuts out processed, refined foods, as well as caffeine. She keeps to what appears to me to be a “clean eating” menu, and that is something I have come to value.

I’ve actually come around to a place where I’m interested in giving this diet a try for a month. I’m glad I took issue with Haylie and really wrestled with some of her concepts. She gave me a lot to think about, and ultimately, I don’t think her diet suggestion sounds unhealthy, so I think it is worth trying out. I’m always skeptical of any plan that promises you can “eat your way to skinny” but I think in the end, that’s not what The Fast Metabolism Diet is offering. It is offering a way to set your metabolism on fire AND to change your eating habits for the better.

Has anyone else out there read the book? Or even tried the diet? I would REALLY love to hear from someone who has and can comment on the impact it had on how you feel, physically!

Fourth of July Recipe Round Up: Simple Breakfasts

June 13, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 4 Comments

We’re just a few weeks away from the Fourth of July. Based on the Pinterest influx of all things red, white and blue, I’m guessing that many of you are already starting to make plans for Independence Day, especially as it relates to what you’ll be eating that day.

I’ve been doing exactly the same thing, only I’ve been focused on the most important meal of the day: breakfast!

And ok, let’s be real: I may run out of steam by about 10am on the Fourth of July (much like any other day), so breakfast is really the only meal I can guarantee to put some effort into. Ha!

I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite SIMPLE Fourth of July recipes for breakfast. I hope you find a few you love!

1. Red, white and blue parfait. I made this last week and it was a hit all around. Everyone loved how it tasted, and I loved how effortless it was. Simply layer sliced strawberries, vanilla yogurt, blueberries, and a dollop of whipped topping. Done!

2. Watermelon star platter

3. Patriotic oatmeal

4. Red, white and blueberry muffins

5. Strawberry-blueberry tapioca parfaits

What are you going to cook up this Fourth of July? Please share your ideas!

How to Cook Beet Greens (Yes, They Are Edible!!!)

June 12, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 9 Comments

We’ve been getting beautiful beets from our local farmer every week for the past month, now. And while I have come to appreciate how tasty roasted beets can actually be, I still find the vegetable to be rather cumbersome, overall, to prepare, especially since the dark pink color so easily stains your hands.

But since we have already joined the community supported agriculture program for the season, and since we know that a lot of hard work and love went into growing these beautiful organic veggies, I want to get my full use out of them. So I decided to do some internet research to see if the beautiful red stems and green leaves on the beets were edible.

Oh heck yes they are! Don’t you dare throw them out! Let me show you a great way to prepare them.

First give everything a good wash in some running water. Then chop up the stems into bite-sized pieces, like this:

Next, chop up your beet green leaves.

Next, I got out my Reynolds Grilling Foil (disclosure, I’m a Reynolds Real Mom, but am not writing this post as such…just sharing what I really used!). My intention was to grill the greens since we were using our grill that day, already. I simply made a foil packet for the greens, and generously sprinkled them with oil, salt and pepper. I also added a little bit of vegetable stock (2 Tbsp, maybe) to ensure that the greens had plenty of liquid to help them soften up a bit.

I then brought up two of the sides to meet each other, and folded them down twice. And I repeated this step on the two sides to create a packet. I let these cook on the grill, right next to some delicious burger patties, for about 20 minutes.

The final product was lacking in beauty, but it tasted absolutely delicious. I was happy to have found a use for beet greens, and frankly, I think I prefer them to the beets, themselves! If you aren’t grilling out any time soon but still want to try this recipe, just follow all the instructions above and put them in the oven at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes and you’ll get more or less the same result. Easy, delicious and decidedly frugal! 🙂