Mommy Tricks 101

I'm learning that there are some tricks to this working mommy trade. Tricks to help get dinner on the table, tricks to create the facade of a clean house, tricks to get a toddler to pick up his toys or eat his peas. If anything this mommy stuff will cause innovation. Here are some of my tricks: I don't let people come over on Friday. We "cheers" Soren at the dinner table to get him to drink his milk. I dust with one of my husband's cotton socks then pop in the washer. I clean the bathroom with Clorox wipes while Soren takes a bath. I keep small storage boxes and baskets all over the house to drop toys in. I purposely make leftovers to freeze for busy days. I never enter a store without a plan. I let Soren "help" me cook dinner or sweep or whatever. I try to stay on schedule. I multi task: For example I breastfeed Jonas while I eat a sandwich while I tell Soren not to play with matches while making the noise of a fire truck while watching the noon news to make sure our competition doesn't scoop our Web site. I am an incessant list maker. I carry treats in my purse to use as bribery. I know when to limit participation in extra things like work pot lucks. And probably the most important thing is I love my job because it has the flexibility that a working mom needs. There are lots of Web sites out there offering tips for working moms or cleaning like Flylady and The Parents Zone. But, I want to know "real" tricks that work. Tell me everything from your favorite cleaning products to your favorite place to hide dirty dishes, even your favorite Web site. Oh, and can someone tell me how to hide the pile of clean laundry I always have or how to find the time to get it folded and put away? Your turn.