My Not-so-short Shortcut (And one that actually is)

This weekend, Parent Bloggers Network is asking what shortcuts you take that work.

I can tell you one I took last week that really didn't work. I tried to make a quick shopping trip at lunch time. I take a shortcut that avoids the downtown area. It's usually quicker.

But on this particular day, I went up First Street and was about to turn left to jog under the viaduct and onto Market Street. The viaduct was closed. I had to go over to Fourth Street to head north. And when I was finally able to turn west again, I got stuck at a train crossing--a crossing that wasn't working properly because the train was a good half mile down the tracks by the time the arm lifted and traffic began moving again.

Needless to say, my shortcut did not pay off that day.

But here's one shortcut that really works for our family (totally not related to the above story). Since there are three adults who disperse medicine to our children, me, my husband, and my mother, I use my Dymo to label medicine bottles with the dosage for each kid. I used to have a sheet that had the dosages, but putting the dose right on the bottle saves time looking it up.

And I labeled the Benedryl with "RASH ONLY" and the Dimetapp with "ALLERGIES" so that they can remember which one to give when. And since both children take Tylenol at different doses, I have the child's initial next to their dose.

For us, this is a timesaver shortcut that also helps to avoid confusion when it's time to dole out meds.

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Parent Bloggers Network is working with Ore-Ida to get the word out about their new Steam n’ Mash potatoes. Already scrubbed, peeled and chopped, just pull them from the freezer, steam them in the microwave, and you’ll have homemade mashed potatoes in 15 minutes!

We tried them last week. They were pretty good. You steam them in the microwave and then add a little butter and milk and mash.