Between vacation, school starting (two different schools this year, oh boy), job changes, life changes, tropical storms, swimming lessons, belly dancing class, and trying to find one lunch bag that actually works for Wolfie and the varied shapes his lunch takes, I’ve been BUSY.

However, while my kids are all now back in school, some of my friends are in that last week or two of trying to keep everyone happy, entertained, and for a reasonable cost. And some of them found it. Post-it-notes and Sharpies!

I blame Big Sis, who combined numbers one and two, below, one inside-day when there were Chores To Be Done. All the beta moms, actually … my peer group who started on the kid train a little earlier than I, helped me come ip with these ideas while talking about amusing their broods. Mostly class of 2020, some class of 2021, but boy this social networking stuff really lets us brainstorm up good ideas. So most of the credit for this one goes out to all you Beta Moms.

Idea 1: Make a treasure or scavenger hunt with sticky notes. Write each clue pointing to the next and hide them throughout the house.

Idea 2: Make a chore list with the sticky notes. As each kid finishes each chore, they count towards points for a prize or treat.

Idea 3: Cover a poster (one with lots of something the child likes, such as dinosaurs, turtles, superheroes) with sticky notes. As the child does each task or meets each mini goal (I used this one for potty training), the child gets to remove a note and uncover a dinosaur or butterfly.

Idea 4: Write numbers or letters on the notes, have the kid(s) find them all and put them in order.

Idea 5: Write out common letters and have the kid(s) spell out words they know.

One of the great things about this is that a prepared mom, dad, or assorted kid- herder has the sticky notes for Evil Potties anyway; five can be a portable busy game, too.

See this and other kid-straction ideas on Rocks in My Dryer: glow sticks for the win!!!!