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Janine
Sarna-Jones
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Eileen
Behan
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Natalie
Gahrmann
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Curt Hinson
The Child Fitness Expert
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Tanya Remer
Altmann
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Andrea Messina
The Practical Mom
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Denene Millner
The Real-Talk Mom
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Cindy Post Senning
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Marilyn Augustyn
The Behavioral Pediatrician
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THE QUESTION :

My daughter is 2, and we are traveling to Mexico in a couple of weeks. I have never flown with her before, and I am very nervous about it. Is there anything that I should do to prepare before we leave?
 

THE ANSWER:

Depending on where you live, you might be able to visit a children's museum with a mock plane so your child can see what the process is like. At a minimum, you might try a trial run to the airport so she can see the hustle and bustle of the security process, the crowds, the lines etc.

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Marilyn Augustyn
THE QUESTION :

When should I buy clothes for my baby? I am 9 weeks pregnant.
 

THE ANSWER:

First of all, congratulations! Like many expectant moms, you may find that the rush of joy and anticipation makes you yearn to bring your future reality to full-color life right now. The months ahead may seem interminable, but it's wise from an emotional-- as well as a practical--standpoint to hold off on purchases until you're well into your second or third trimester.

 

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Andrea Messina
THE QUESTION :

I am expecting my third child, and my oldest is 11 and youngest is 17 months old. We are short on space. What do I do when the new baby is born--how do I make it work with the baby and going-to-be-2-year-old in the same room? Did I mention that it’s a small room?
 
THE ANSWER:

Sleep trumps everything, so let’s talk about that  first. If your toddler wakes up every time the baby fusses, consider keeping your newborn's crib in your room until he sleeps through the night. We kept our twins in a crib in our bedroom until each was sleeping through the night (otherwise we'd have had their 3-year-old brother to placate at 2 am as well!). And don’t even think of moving your toddler to his big sib's room now; his world is shaken up enough.

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Andrea Messina
THE QUESTION :

I am hopelessly disorganized. I schedule my kids for playdates and after-school activities, yet I never have my calendar with me when it happens. What's an easy way to keep track of all my family's activities?
 
THE ANSWER:

The easy part of this answer is to start carrying a calendar! Bring a planner that’s appropriate for you--either paper or electronic--where you can include everyone’s schedule.

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Janine Sarna-Jones
THE QUESTION :

I’m drowning in paper. Every time I turn around there’s a new pile. Every night, before we can sit down at our dining-room table to eat dinner, we have to clear away piles of mail, magazines, catalogs and our child’s artwork.
 
THE ANSWER:

Stop it at the door. Instead of bringing it into your house so it can breed like mold, throw away and recycle junk mail first and foremost. Then make a home for the rest, such as unpaid bills and unread magazines. If you find yourself drowning in pieces of paper, remember that those piles represent delayed decisions that you are going to have to make sooner or later.

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Janine Sarna-Jones
THE QUESTION :

I don't have time to tackle organizing my house. I have three kids (ages 2, 5 and 9) and maybe two hours a weekend to affect positive change in my house — and I could spend that time just washing clothes and putting them away. Where to begin?
 
THE ANSWER:

Are your kids watching TV while you’re sweating? Instead, give them jobs that are appropriate for their age level. Realize it won’t be perfect. You have to let go to get to “good enough” rather than “perfect.”

Most people don’t know where to begin. Here’s what I say: Begin where you spend most time in the house. Don’t start with a project to clean up the basement or garage. Yes, they look awful, but they’re contained. Instead, start where your daily life is most affected.

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Janine Sarna-Jones

 
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