Life advice only a mom would appreciate.

This is a list of 10 bits of advice I compiled for my cousin who recently had a baby boy.

1. If your child has (or had, in most cases) white shoes, the best way to get the rubber part white again is with a magic eraser.

2. Magic erasers are awesome... especially if all the crayons in the house aren't washable.

3. When your child demands a straw, not a sippy cup, use a NUBY. It's a sippy cup, but you can also stick a straw in the tiny hole in the lid.... without spilling!

4. Buy winter coats in the spring before you need them... and always a size bigger than you think you'll need. Clearance is a beautiful thing.

5. Never let you child watch Daddy play video games..... it really does make them more violent.

6. Non chlorine bleach actually works better on getting rid of stains than regular bleach... and it's color safe.

7. Bio-Oil is the best way to get rid of mom-stretched skin.

8. If your child throws a hissy fit, I find it most effective to mock them. Immature, or genius? You decide.

9. Reading a spanish dictionary to your child is the best way to make them bilingual.

10. Always always always be ready for poop in the tub. Before he fell in love with the potty, it was Zeke's favorite method of going.