• Bugs Bunny Carrots •

The Internet has a million ways to get your kids to eat their vegetables.  Here's one that I use...

The Problem:

Due to the overexposure to baby carrots (even fast food restaurants have them), my son had gotten bored with them.

- before -

 My solution:  "Bugs Bunny Carrots"

Yes, they are just regular carrots, but they are the long ones, and then I peel them and cut them into quarters lengthwise.  My son seems to think they are more interesting than baby carrots, and is more inclined to eat them, no questions asked.  I imagine he is channelling his inner Bugs Bunny,... "eh,... What's up, Doc?"  

- after -

• Cheetah Claws •

The Problem: 

So, as it turns out, my kids don't like getting their nails trimmed.  This is understandable - I'm trying to hold their hand or foot still while coming at it with a sharp, pokey, metal object. 

- before -

My Solution:  "Cheetah Claws"

The first version of "Cheetah Claws" was actually "Pet Shop."  I was a groomer at a pet shop, and my son was a puppy.  As he's gotten older, I have become a zookeeper, and he has become a cheetah.  

- after -

How it works:

1 - Atmosphere.  My son gets to decide how the zoo is set up.  This may mean that he is perched on the step stool and I am on the floor, or maybe he is on the toilet seat while I sit on the step stool.  Additionally, we may start by the zookeeper bringing the cheetah from his cage (could be his bed, closet, etc) to the zookeeper grooming area (the bathroom).  The initial setting takes a few minutes to establish, but is worth the time as we need to set the scene.

2 - Conversation.  When he was a puppy, there were times when he could only bark, pant and growl during his grooming appointment.  Now that he's a cheetah, the discussion usually revolves around his "claws".  Sometimes I explain that trimming them may help him to run faster.  This usually leads to a lengthy discussion about how fast cheetahs run.  Other times, I explain that he has such sharp claws that we have to trim them so he doesn't scratch me (the zookeeper).

3 - Tools.  I have allowed my son to have some say on the nail clipper.  I know that there are some fun ones out there - we don't have that kind.  Usually, he chooses between his kid-sized one, my adult-sized one, or the nail scissors that I use for his little brother.

That's all I've got.  I know it's simple, but it works surprisingly well. 

• Superhero Lotion •

The problem:
Lotion sucks.  I know it.  My kids know it.  It's greasy.  It's cold.  It makes your pajamas cling to you after your bath.

- before -

But, I was tired of getting the "bad mom" look from my kid's doctor as she told me for the um-teenth time that my kids had dry skin.  I went home and after just one day of forcing lotion onto my children (I'll spare you the details), I knew I needed a new approach.  Well, out of necessity comes invention, and "Superhero Lotion" came to be.

My solution:  "Superhero Lotion"
Superhero Lotion is just regular lotion - the superhero powers are all in the application.

- after -

How to apply:

The Superman "S" - make an "S" on their chest, this gives them Superman powers.
The Zorro "Z" - make a "Z" on their back - this gives them good sword fighting skills.
The Fast Leg - one leg needs a quick zip down the leg - this is the fast leg.
The Zig-Zag Leg - one leg needs a zig-zag motion - this is for good zig-zagging.
Fast Feet - the feet should be quickly patted to make them "fast feet."
Good Sitting skills - pat the butt for good sitting skills (yes, this is a superhero power)
The "I love you" Arm - one arm gets a straight line "I" for the "I love you" from mom.
The # 1 Arm - one arm gets a straight line #1 because mom thinks they're the best.
The Mask - so the bad guys can't see them - it works better when applied in dots.