Help Your Kids Help Themselves

Having five kids means there are a lot of little voices in my house! To reduce the amount of times I hear 'Mom' in my day this simple tip has saved my ears, legs and sanity.

Create a kid drawer in your kitchen that all their sippy cups, plastic cups and whatever else they ask for that won't get broken.

Explain to them, this is where all their cups go. When they want a drink, they bring you their favorite cup (how often do you pick the one they didn't have in mind?).

I put my kid drawer next to the dishwasher and the little kids enjoy throwing the cups right from the dishwasher into the drawer. Make it a game and it empowers them to be able to do it! They enjoy it too!

No spare kitchen drawers? Buy one of those plastic organizer drawer sets on wheels from Target or Walmart and then let them organize cups in one, plastic plates in another. Place mats, bibs, etc.

Less work for you is the best tip I know. ;)