Every weekend, our family alternates which one of us gets to be the "Decision Maker" for the whole weekend. The kinds of decisions include what to eat for dinner, what movies to watch, or what activity the family will do for the day. Mom & Dad always have veto power, but we only use it when absolutely neccessary. The kids feel that family decisions are more fair, and that they have a say in what they are doing.
OneBigHappy

Every year my children and I each shop for a toy to donate to a local charity. They each choose something they think a child their age would like. They learn that giving feels just as good as receiving.

I keep an under-the-bed storage container in each child's room for their artwork. It all lays flat, and stays in one place. At the end of each school year we go through the boxes together and take out any they don't want to keep anymore, to make room for next year.
momof4girls

Some of the simplest things make the best toys! My toddler loves to toot his "horn" made from a paper towel tube. It encourages imagination, and is easily replaced. Won't he be surprised when I have a wrapping paper tube for him to play with this Christmas!

For an easy-to-handle toddler snack, I melted some cheese in a folded tortilla shell, and cut it into small bite size pieces. This was much easier for my guy's small hands to pick up.
proudmom

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